We Don’t Celebrate Halloween: What We Do Instead

When you think of Halloween, what things come to mind?

For me it’s candy, costumes, Hocus Pocus, and parties. I have so many good memories of all the Halloweens of my youth.

And yet now that I am an adult, for religious reasons we choose not to celebrate Halloween. However, I don’t want my kids to feel left out and want to create lasting memories for them at this time of year.

We don’t celebrate Halloween.

Just because we don’t celebrate Halloween, that doesn’t mean we don’t have any celebrations. We find reasons to celebrate, not only holidays but throughout the year. For example, if they get good grades in school — throw them a party! Their basketball team went to the championships — make it special! Whatever your child has achieved, take the time to live it up in those moments. Make those moments a big deal!

But we do eat the candy.

Let your kids have candy. Even better, buy it the day after Halloween on clearance and let them have at it. Get the grandparents involved. Let them give them a goodie bag, it doesn’t have to be on the day of Halloween.

And we still dress up.

In regard to costumes, who doesn’t like dressing up? Let your kids play dress up any time of the year. If they want to wear a princess dress to the grocery store — who cares?  They want to be a dinosaur? Let them dress up at home. Again, after Halloween sales are perfect. Let them get a costume for dress up at home.

And enjoy fun seasonal activities.

Another to-do is to just enjoy the fall season. Let them play in the leaves, go apple picking, bake goodies, pick out a pumpkin at a pumpkin patch (and carve it if you wish).

The main point is to have fun as a family, explain to your kids the positive alternatives to Halloween, and have a good time. After all, Halloween is just a one-day thing, but these activities can last all throughout the fall season. And celebrating and dressing up can be done throughout the year!

What do you do instead of celebrating Halloween? Tell us in the comments!