Move Halloween??? ☠️🎃🕸🧟‍♀️🕸🐲👹

     It’s 2 degrees. 🥶 Granted, it’s 8:30 p.m., October the 29th but the forecast for October the 31st (Halloween for those of you who live under the sea as a marine mammal and don’t know what Trick or Treat means) is expected to be in the low 30s around T & T time. There will be at least 8” of snow still on the ground. Unless your child’s costume is as an Artic or Antarctic explorer or a full fur teddy bear or a bed with a thousand quilts, the amount of candy they will acquire isn’t worth the risk of frost-bite, pneumonia, strep throat or any broken bone due to falling on an icy sidewalk or driveway. That last might not befall just your child, a parent can slip and fall just as easily.

     Today we can go to any grocery store and get bags of candy pretty much year ‘round. Plus, if you pick it out, you can get the kind of candy your child likes best. You can trust the candy hasn’t been tampered with in any way. Nor, in the case of states who have legalized marijuana, worry your child is getting a high-inducing edible. Besides, that much candy isn’t good for your child or you.  🤢

     I heard there’s a movement afoot to have Halloween moved to the last weekend of October. At first I was definitely against it. We’ve messed with a lot of holidays already. Part of the fun for little kids is wearing their costumes to school, showing off for classmates, teachers and grandparents and parents. But it’s difficult when October 31st falls on any day between Sunday through Thursday because the kids  have to go to school the next day. Everyone rushes to get home from work or school so dinner can be consumed early so trick or treating can start early so it can be over early in order to accommodate school day bedtimes.

     Taking all that into account, I’ve changed my mind. Moving Halloween to the last weekend of  the month makes sense. There’s still the issue of inclement weather in certain parts of the country. Just moving the day has no effect on snow or rain or frigid temps. And parents worry about predators of both kinds. Mountain lions have been spotted in urban neighborhoods here. Then there are drive bys, bullies, car accidents. So, is there a solution?

    Perhaps this is an idea for elementary school, at least. Have a half day of regular classes the last Friday of October. In the afternoon, throw an all school party. Everyone wears a costume, even the teachers. Teachers, administration and parents provide party food-cookies, cupcakes, juice, apples, whatever. Each child can then go room to room trick or treating. Candy, which the students bring from home and give to the teachers, can be passed out when the trick or treaters come to each classroom. The students could play games, too. This seems like a solution with less hassle, less stress and much safe.

    Depending how it’s viewed, fortunately or unfortunately, times have changed, there’s much more to worry about surrounding All Hallow’s Eve. Simpler times are just plain over. Maybe it’s time to reboot 🎃 Halloween traditions!