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Halloween: Reverse Trick-or-Treating

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Remember when I told you our schedule was winding down a bit? Well, that schedule came to a halt when my mild cold settled into my chest, complete with uncontrollable coughing bouts. Everything went on hold while I spent a few days curled up in the recliner, medicated, and still.

In using time wisely to rest, I slept and allowed my body to heal. Having recovered, I am focusing on the current tasks at hand rather than reflecting on the missed field trip, Halloween party, and harvest gathering. Though our Halloween party did not materialize this season, our family enjoyed two Halloween events:

Reverse Trick-or-Treating

This annual event has become a fun activity for our family. In a season where my children are given lots of candy and prizes, Paul and I want them to understand that it is more blessed to give than to receive. To put feet to our words, we take the kids reverse trick-or-treating.

We purchase candy, arrive at Paul’s office in costume, and deliver candy to each co-worker. Our kids enjoy the attention and showing off their costumes while giving the candy away. This family tradition has become a favorite activity during the Halloween season.

Trick-or-Treating

After an early dinner, Paul and I took the kids trick-or-treating throughout our neighborhood. I was amazed at the generosity of our neighbors as they doled out handfuls of candy.

The kids came home to sort through their mounds of candy. It was a frightfully chilly night with lots of boos, costumes, and flickering jack-o-lanterns. 🙂

Whether you were on the giving or the receiving end of the trick-or-treating, I hope you enjoyed your Halloween festivities. If you hosted a Halloween event, please share your itinerary. We would love to read about your fun, ghoulish celebration.

Question: What is your favorite Halloween activity? Please add your answer to the comments.

Inspiration: Additional Halloween Party Ideas – Part 3

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Camille Styles)

With our schedule slowing down a tad and all these great Halloween party ideas, I think our family will host another Halloween party this year. My eldest daughter is already talking about last year’s party and who we should invite this year. Thankfully, I have most of the items needed from previous years, and these great party ideas just add to the flavor of the event.

To keep the inspiration coming, here are 6 additional party ideas for your Halloween gathering:

Non-spooky Decorations

1. Pumpkin Carving Tips

2. Jack-O-Lanterns from baby food jars

3. Bats and Mice made with black construction paper

Yummy Seasonal Menu Items

4. Pumpkin Butter

5. Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

6. Free E-book: 23 Unforgettable Halloween Party Recipes

NOTE: You do not need to sign up for the newsletter. Just click the “close” button to download your free copy. Remember, you can place this e-book in your free Kindle for PC application.

With all these great party ideas, will you change your mind and host a ghostly event? If so, please be sure to post pictures for us to enjoy. Happy planning!

Question: What is your favorite Halloween decoration or food item? Keep the inspiration moving by adding your answer to the comments.

Inspiration: More Halloween Party Ideas – Part 2

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Kimberly Cadena)

Pumpkins are purchased, our fall festival is complete (more details coming in later posts), and life is returning to normal busyness. As I look at the calendar, the Halloween events for our family begin this weekend. If you are planning a Halloween celebration and need some more inspiration, try these great party menu ideas:

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Pie Dip, Popcorn Witches, Ghost Pretzels, Cheese Fingers, and Ghost Poop (My kids will love this last one.)

Halloween dinner with spaghetti, sauce, meatballs, and green peppers for spiders

Spook-tacular Yogurt Cups

Beverage service from a pumpkin – love this idea!

Are your creative juices flowing? Lots of great ideas for making your next Halloween party a great success. If you need tags for your menu or decorating, check out these free printable labels. My kids will love to cut and decorate with these labels with or without a party.

I think I might be making the Halloween dinner with spaghetti, sauce, meatballs, and green peppers before Trick-or-Treating. In fact, I could see this dinner becoming a new family tradition. However you celebrate, enjoy making your Halloween adventure special!

Question: What are your Halloween traditions? If you feel comfortable doing so, leave your answer in the comments.

Inspiration: Halloween Party Ideas – Part 1

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Matthew P.)

Are you planning a Halloween Party this year? For the last two or three years, our family has hosted a non-scary Halloween party with friends. With a busy scheduled this year, I am still debating whether or not we will host this year.

If you are interested in hosting a gathering but have no idea where to start, let me help. In scanning the posts from my favorite blogs through my Google Reader, I came across a great article written by Joanie from thekrazycouponlady.com: Halloween Party Ideas: Plan your Spooky Party for Under $50. She gives you a list of supplies for the food and decorations. Oh, the spider cakes look like lots of fun and simple for little ones to create.

Though I am not currently planning a Halloween party, I enjoy keeping event notes and gaining inspiration in case my schedule frees up to plan a Halloween Bash. In using time wisely, I keep watching for inspiration since I might need one of these ideas soon. Happy planning!

Question: Are you having a Halloween party this year? If so, what are you planning? Please inspire us and add your answer to the comments.

Events: Responding to an R.S.V.P.

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Photograph Credit: Advanced Etiquette

Growing up in a home where my mom loved to plan themed gatherings, I quickly learned the art of responding to an R.S.V.P. Without an accurate head count, the hostess is left guessing or calling invitees to determine their attendance.

Having to call guests can be a huge time taker. Instead of creating an inviting space and preparing the menu selections, the hostess is reaching out to inconsiderate guests who have not responded.

Though I know some may be waiting on other plans, the majority of those guests, who did not respond, simply forgot. The R.S.V.P. was not important to them, or they do not understand the reason or the etiquette associated with an R.S.V.P.

As I read through the posts of my favorite blogs this week in my Google Reader (of course), I loved Syndi Seid’s Responding to Event Invitations post. With specific examples of when and how to respond to an R.S.V.P., this post provides guidance for what is acceptable.

In using time wisely, I am sensitive to my time constraints as well as those around me. By sending an R.S.V.P., I respect the hostess as she continues using time wisely to prepare for her guests’ arrival.  With Syndi’s relevant scenarios, you and I can respond appropriately to an R.S.V.P. without receiving that follow-up phone call.

Question: How quickly do you R.S.V.P. to an event? Please add your answer to the comments.