Halloween Parties

It's almost that time again and whatever your thoughts are on trick or treating or Halloween as a celebration you have to admit that it is a great opportunity to have a party and the children seem to love it. It's one americanism that we have embraced in our house although I do understand that its not for all!!

It started off for us one year when a neighbour knocked on our door to say she was waiting with sweets for the children and why hadn't we called? The truth is I didn't like the idea of trick or treating so my only effort that evening was to send the children to bed in their skeleton pj's and hope that the flaming door knockers didn't wake them! But faced with a disappointed neighbour I got the children out of bed put their coats on over their pj's and took them over where they eagerly accepted the sweets despite not really having a clue what was going on!!

Following that, every year since, we have gone trick or treating to the participating neighbours houses (those with children ususally) and they to us. Our principle is that if you have a scary lantern on or a pumpkin on your doorstep then you are inviting us to call. If your house is in darkness we assume that you have decided it is not for you!

Soon though trick or treating wasn't enough and it is so cold so we moved the fun indoors. We have a great time decorating the house and getting dressed up (although my husband still refuses to do much more that wear a scary mask). I can't help myself and really get into my character of scary witch.

When the children were small (up to about 8 depending on the child) we kept it fairly tame with the usual apple bobbing (children seem to like getting wet!) and our own favourite named the touchy feely game:
The Touchy Feely Game:
Place several items on a tray and cover with a tea towl
Each child takes it in turns to have a go at guessing what they are feeling

In our game we have:
Witches Fingers (raw sausages)
Worms (cooked spaghetti)
eyeballs (Olives)
cold baked beans (this can be many things I will leave it to your imagination)

This can get a bit messy but so much fun!

And to round up the evening a game of musical zombies followed by witchy poo stories (in the dark with the odd prop)

I love it and the parties have become a bit of a legend round our way!!!

But they get even better as the children get older and more daring. In my next post I will tell you more.......................................