When most people think of Halloween, the images of ghosts, ghouls, and trick-or-treaters cross their minds. The vast majority don't think of it as a time for giving... Unless you're me! I absolutely LOVE Halloween, and I have all of my life. There can be some negativity behind the holiday, but in all honesty, I just see it as a time to be creative, adventurous, and have some extra fun! And yes, as a time to give. The idea of giving during Halloween may seem foreign, but think about it. You're spending money on Halloween decorations, candies, and costumes to do what? Give! Give the joy of fun, give the wonder of an experience, and give the excitement of being something or someone other than yourself!
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Little me with my sister and brother! Throwback to 1993!
Some of my fondest memories are riding along in the car with my parents, or grandparents, and visiting as many houses as possible to rack up our weight in sweets. I can still remember taking a trip to a house that was right across the street from my school, I was about 10 years old at the time. There weren't any creepy decorations, just a pumpkin or two. In the driveway sat a lawn chair and a homemade stuffed scarecrow. Nothing too fancy in Halloween terms. But to my surprise, it was someone in that stuffed clothing waiting to scare all those who came across for a piece of candy. It scared the life out of me, and as you can tell, stuck with me. That lover of Halloween knew he didn’t have to go big to GIVE us a fun night, lasting memories, and a little bit of paranoia.
Halloween, and all the fun that comes along with it, doesn’t have to be flashy or even that scary if spooky and creepy aren’t your thing. It can be exciting, mysterious, and another way to give an experience to your neighbors and community. Just think of all the trunk-or-treats we see now. There’s nothing scary about those. It’s just the thought of giving back to the community in a fun way. We always say "you never know what the next person is going through.'' Halloween could just be that time of year when the worries of the world aren't such big worries for a moment. Maybe dressing up and being that princess, firefighter, robot, or unicorn is just what a child needs to let go of their reality for a little bit.
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As you can see, Halloween is kind of a big deal in our family!
My Mom, sister, nephew, and Dad all join in the fun!
As I got older, trick-or-treating became an activity sadly restricted to just little kids, but the idea of getting BOO'd came about. A way to have some Halloween fun and give that same joy of mystery and of course, giving! So what is getting BOO'd? Typically, you build up a basket or bag with treats, little trinkets, or just something nice, to surprise a neighbor or friend. You leave it on their doorstep (ringing the bell is optional), and wait for your delivered treats to be found. The biggest point is to not get caught in order to keep the mystery alive. Most BOO's contain a little poem stating that "you've been BOO'd" and that you should pass along the fun. You can find a good bit of variations with a quick Google search. It's pretty much "pay it forward" Halloween style!
Our BOO treats from last year! Your BOO can be as big or as small as you like.
As always, it's the thought that counts!
I love the idea of BOO-ing someone! Just think, you could be providing fun for someone who can't trick-or-treat due to illness, or they are physically unable to leave their home. They could be a busy mom or dad who doesn't have the time with their work schedule to take their kids out. There are so many reasons and circumstances why you would want to BOO someone, but in general, I like it because it's a nice thing to do. Show your kids that taking the time to think of others with a kind gesture is a great way to help celebrate Halloween. Fill the day with fun, trick-or-treating, and another reason to give! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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Get BOO'd by Macaroni Kid Augusta!
Enter here to submit your family or friends to receive a BOO-ndle of Halloween fun!
