School Days: Scary Tales

via Travelin Oma

Book Shelf: Scary Stories

Homework: Do any or all or be inspired. ~List 10 ideas for a spook alley, or a Halloween party. ~Tell a ghost story you remember from your youth. ~Suggest a favorite book of scary tales. What age is it appropriate for?

I confess I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween. No gore and horror bedecking my halls, and too much candy is too much candy. But, I remember how my parents just hated this holiday and what a bummer it always seemed to me as a child. So I've resolved to do it up right by my little ones with happy touches here and there. I buy the cheap candy to pass out at my door, but if my kiddos are going to wear costumes, they might as well be good ones. And if I'm going to make treats (which I probably won't), they'd better be cute and tasty. Halloween can be plenty of fun without all the blood and guts, right? And so, a very simple Halloween party (which I might do once) for little ones might include:

1. jack-o-lanterns in every corner of the yard and the house, garlands of paper bats

2. the hostess must be a magnificent witch with stripey stockings and a fabulous hat

3. a bale-o-hay maze like one found at the pumpkin patch

4. a pin-the-nose-on-the-witch game

5. mummy dogs=hot dogs/sausages wrapped in biscuit dough and baked

6. goblin eyeballs=grapes, olives, cherry tomatoes

7. bat wings & monster dip=blue corn tortilla chips & guacamole

8. halloween-ish cupcakes (monsters? witches? ghosts?)

9. chocolate-covered gummy frogs

10. party favors like popcorn balls or a bundle of glow-necklaces

11. clever invites--designed by marta perhaps?

For our usual Halloween celebration, we make [count of] Monte Cristo Sandwiches and serve with salad and apple beer. We take our toddler to about 6 doors to trick-or-treat, put our kiddos to bed, put in a Hitchcock movie and greet trick-or-treaters. It's just how we like it.