This Friday, 31 October, is Halloween. Australians don't celebrate Halloween in quite the same way that the Americans do, but it is fast gaining in popularity. And why wouldn't it when it's a chance for young and old to dress up in crazy costumes, walk the streets in outrageously dressed groups and be given sweets?
If you're planning trick-or-treating with your kids, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Costumes
The more outrageous and the scarier the better! Halloween is a chance for witches, ghouls and skeletons to make their way out of the closet. But Halloween isn't exclusively the province of scary night-dwellers - fairy princesses are also welcome. The only rule is to make sure that you are in costume. Tagging along in your day clothes and expecting to get a share of the goodies is not on. There's no need to spend a fortune on costumes. A black sheet or towel can be a cape, put on some white face paint with black around the eyes and some red lipstick running down from the mouth like a trail of blood and you have an instant vampire. Adults can get into the spirit of things too - a witch's hat and a broomstick are easy props to find or make. The more you get into it and the more you dress up, the more fun you're likely to have.
Safety
Because Halloween is one of the few nights where kids go knocking on strangers' doors, it's worth having a chat about safety with them first and, preferably, having at least one adult accompanying them. If the kids are older and are going in a group on their own, make sure you know the route they're taking and that they stay together at all times.
Treats
Make sure you have some goodies on hand in case trick-or-treaters come knocking at your door. You can buy specially wrapped and labelled Halloween treats, or have lollipops or small packets of chips at the ready. A few houses my children and I door-knocked last year weren't aware that it was Halloween but they offered home-baked goodies and fruit and the kids were delighted. (If you're accepting something handmade it's a good idea to know the person so that you're confident there aren't any strange or illicit ingredients.) Individually wrapped treats are probably safest as there's little danger of germs or unexpected additives. And, if you're going trick-or-treating, make sure you bring goodie bags to collect the loot.
Tricks
Halloween can give children a wonderful sense of freedom. It's a night where it feels as if anything goes, but this can lead to anarchy if you're not careful. Little monsters knock at doors and say ‘trick or treat' but often haven't decided what their trick will be. Water bombs or water pistols are popular choices in our neighbourhood as they don't do damage or leave any mess, apart from a bit of water. Younger children can be easily convinced that a ‘trick' is a party trick and can be quite happy to perform if there aren't any treats forthcoming - this can involve reciting a poem, telling a joke or doing a magic trick. Tricks don't need to be nasty.
Sugar high
Halloween is a bit like Easter. Over indulgence is on the cards and most kids will eat more sugar than is good for them. Try to get your little monsters to eat something healthy before they set off on their trick-or-treating and drink plenty of water. How much sugar you let your children eat is up to you. You might prefer them to eat the whole lot in one sitting so that it's all gone, or you might like to measure it out so that they don't get sick or stay up all night.
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it and have fun.
By Katherine - ourbrisbane.com
