Pumpkin season is in full swing with the spooky fun of Halloween creeping up. Our family celebrates at my home, decorating the house by October first. We hang up glowing purple and orange lights changing the theme year to year. When my kids were young, I’d decorate fall theme adding friendly looking ghosts and witches. As the kids got older, I switched to scary décor tying it all together with lots of festive spider webbing.
I make Zack’s favorite recipe, I always say I’m going to try a new recipe but end up making the same one, there is something nostalgic about the flavors from your childhood. I bake cornbread right before we eat so everyone can scarf down a hearty meal prior to overindulging on Halloween candy. My trick or treat candy bucket is usually missing pieces before the first sound of the doorbell.
I have an open house style invite; family and friends can join if they are available. I keep the kitchen open and chili warm. We put on a festive movie in the background. Halloween decorations and lighted candles are throughout the house. I use paper goods and disposable Halloween tablecloths and we set out our carved pumpkins lit up from the inside to show off the creations made for this year.
Some of us stay home and wait for trick or treaters. I usually opt to go into the neighborhood with my flashlight and the younger kids. We live in an area where the streets all end in cul-de-sacs and are connected by walking paths, so it feels safer because there are a lot less cars driving around. To save money I keep a large bin of costumes I’ve saved throughout the years. Adding to it as years go by.