Most of my favorite Halloween traditions are just too much work and a lot of money.
First there is the pumpkin carving.
Messy messy work.
I have to dig out the safety knives from where ever I buried them last year and then end up running out to buy new ones before I actually find the ones I hid last year.
Then there is the pumpkin guts. Yuck.
Then there is the treat eating making.
This is always a messily-delicious-dangerous adventure.
And then there is the costume making.
But look how cute they are!
How could I NOT spend hundreds of dollars (well maybe only 10 or 20) and hours and hours slaving over the sewing machine to make these punks happy. Okay so half of the makings for costumes I've "made" since the twins were born came from D.I. It's a great place to shop for Halloween.
Well except for the year when JoAnn Nance took my fabric from me and came back with two darling bunny costumes. Or the year that Stephanie Skolmolski showed up at my door with two darling clown costumes that we used two years in a row. Well and the Kimono Stephanie gave us that was also used twice. Other than that I've slaved over the sewing machine for the past 21 years making these punk look cute. The first year of being a mom doesn't count because I put Jeremiah in his Chinese PJ's and stuck a hat on his head, but he was still pretty cute.
And when all is said and done it is worth the joy on the kids faces and the memories we have made are priceless.
That said my favorite Halloween traditon which requires very little work for me is watching the grade school Halloween parade. My babies have outgrown the parade now but I think I might be able to manage to walk down to the school this year and sneak a peek just for fun.
I'm not sure if it will be the same without my own punks in the parade. . .
But the other kids are usually pretty cute too.
Especially when they are this age. . .
or better yet, not even old enough to be in the parade.
Couldn't you just eat him up?!
What are your favorite traditions?
For Family Home Evening, we love to go Red Butte's Garden After Dark. This is an outdoor, kid-friendly romp through Red Butte Garden at night. To celebrate Halloween they have story telling, crafts, hot cider, caramel apples, pumpkins, and fantastic light displays.
On Halloween night before we go for Tricks or Treats, I serve up a nice hot soup in pumpkin shaped bread bowls. The kids love eating the bowls! You can make them homemade (recipe can be found at theidearoom.blogspot.com) or purchase them at Great Harvest Bread. This year I'll be serving my sure to please Sweet Sweet Chili. 
Happy Haunting!
