Halloween should be an inclusive holiday, right? Anyone who wants to trick-or-treat should be able to go out and have fun. But some situations need a little more attention. Whether your child is scolded (or turned down) for being too old, or a special need (like autism in our featured article) prevents the night from going smoothly, sometimes trick-or-treating is more tricks than treats. We’ve got some thoughts (and tips) for this.
As always, I want to help you get ready for the week with five new dinner recipes. Which one is your favorite this week?
And before you make your plans for October 31st, check out the FFP Quick Tips if you’ll be trick-or-treating with your pet this Halloween.
Let The Teenagers Trick-or-Treat!
By Kimberly Yavorski
Teenagers occupy a strange in-between world. They are no longer children, but they’re not yet adults. They are quick to abandon “babylike” things, then almost as quick to regret they have done so.
It’s during the teen years that many of us start to wonder why we ever wished so hard to grow up faster. Especially during the Halloween festivities of October.
Trick-or-treating is something many kids look forward to for months.
They spend hours thinking about how they want to dress, often coming up with bigger and better ideas each week leading up to Halloween. (I learned early on to not buy or make the costumes my children asked for in August or September, realizing it would likely change a few times by mid-October.)
One day, they will decide they don’t want to trick-or-treat anymore.
A sure sign they’re growing up is when you ask what they want to be and you get the answer, “Nothing, trick-or-treating is for little kids.”
I have to admit, the first time I heard this, my insides lurched. My babies were growing up, much too fast, and they wanted to rush the process. Knowing I made a similar proclamation, and then made a game-time decision to go out on Halloween, I told them to keep the option open. I said, “You can still dress up. There may be parties, so what do you want to be?”
(Full disclosure, I love Halloween and have loved making costumes for my children. Though I have lost sleep and shed tears in that last week of October, I enjoyed it when they challenged me to create something out of the ordinary.)
Halloween is for everyone.
Many adults think once a child reaches a certain age or height that this fall ritual should end. They see trick-or-treating as an activity for small children and say older kids are being greedy.
Though the candy is a motivator, most teens just want to dress up. In fact, I have seen many teens hand off their candy to younger kids as they’re walking away from a house.
Dressing up, at any age, is fun. It’s not often we have the opportunity to pretend to be someone else, if only for a couple hours.
For us and our neighbors, Halloween is a community event, one of those days that we catch up with the people a block or two over, when we see how much the kids have grown. Parents have also been known to dress up, and it’s fun to see what they dress as each year.
Personally, I like to see teenagers at my door on Halloween.
Some years, it was the impetus that got my own kid out the door (rather than moping around at home), if only for a short time. When the kids were little, we divided holiday tasks: my husband handed out candy at our house and I walked with the kids.
At some point over the years, he decided to bring back the traditional concept of trick-or-treating, insisting that kids do a trick for a treat.
Though some are surprised at this, the kids remember it and in later years have come to the door with something prepared (and sometimes an unsuspecting friend). Teens can be shy about this, but we also have been entertained with songs, dance moves, and handstands.
I vividly remember the first Halloween I thought I was “too old” for trick-or-treating.
I had a friend over and after the first few rounds of witches and ghouls came around, we decided we were wrong—we really weren’t too old. I had a pirate mask from a prior year, and it wasn’t too difficult to come up with the extras to make that work.
My friend lived too far away to run home for a costume, so we improvised. We grabbed a black trash bag, created leg holes and tied it loosely around her neck. I think we added crumpled newspaper to fill it out. The image of her walking down the street in this costume and the answer when people asked what she was “A bag of trash, of course,” still makes me laugh.
Today, more so than ever, kids are growing up too fast. If they have a costume, no matter how lame, I’ll give them some candy (especially if they are willing to show us a trick.)
RECIPES FOR THE WEEK:
We know October is a BUSY month, so let’s make planning dinner a little easier. From a fun spud bar to Crock Pot veggie soup and an easy chicken casserole, we’ve got five yummy dinners for your family. This week also features a BONUS recipe from one of my Lives last week!
Spud Bar
Ingredients:
Baked Potatoes (Russet potatoes work well)—prepare 1-2 potatoes per person
Toppings—these are our ideas, but add/subtract for your family’s tastes/dietary restrictions
Butter or margarine
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese
Bacon bits or crumbled cooked bacon
Chopped green onions or chives
Salsa
Guacamole
Chili (vegetarian or meat-based)
Steamed broccoli florets
Sauteed mushrooms
Sauteed onions and peppers
Sliced jalapeños (for those who like it spicy)
Black olives
Diced tomatoes
Diced bell peppers
Corn kernels
Gravy
Seasonings—
Salt/pepper
Garlic powder
Paprika
Cajun seasoning
Red pepper flakes
Proteins (optional)—
Grilled chicken strips
Pulled pork
Ground beef or turkey
Fresh Herbs and Greens (for garnish)—
Fresh parsley
Cilantro
Basil
Condiments—
Ketchup
Mustard
Hot sauce
BBQ sauce
Let each family member design their own spud(s) and enjoy!
Asian Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients: