Here are three facts about me: I’m competitive, I love Halloween, and I’ve never had an ice cream headache. Only two of those things are relevant to the big event looming: Halloween in our new neighborhood. I want to be the best house on the street.
Mike knows this, and has worked hard to keep me in check. Last week we were at Party City and they had a life-sized, talking SINGING Freddy Krueger robot. AND IT WAS ON SALE! Sure, it was still $120, but that’s practically giving it away. Mike didn’t agree though, and even though I told him it would make us the coolest house on the street, he wouldn’t let me buy it. He said something about having a mortgage to pay and not needing to spend money on frivolous items. His priorities are messed up.
When I was growing up my brother and I used to transform the front of my parents’ house into a haunted house. We had tombstones, dry ice, skeletons that jumped out at you, a whole bunch of fun stuff. I would love to do that again someday…but Annabel is a little too destructive to allow me the luxury of setting up weeks in advance. My current decorations of a grave on my front lawn and hanging spiders on my porch will have to suffice.
So I figure that my real chance to be the best house on the block lies in what I give out to the trick or treaters. I am assuming we’ll get a fair amount of trick or treaters, so I am going to stock up accordingly. On chocolate. Always on chocolate. But I want to go the extra mile. I’m thinking tiny toys. I can get those glow-stick-bracelet things for super cheap – like 25 for a dollar. This is brilliant, right? Because what kid doesn’t love glowing crap to go along with their free candy? No small pieces, so no choking hazards, and the glow sticks will make the kids more visible to cars. It’s like I am the only person trying to make this neighborhood safe.
Shhh, don’t tell Mike, he’s a buzz-kill. I am just going to buy the bracelets and hand them out while he takes Annie trick or treating. He’ll see other little kids with glow sticks and think, “What a great idea! I wish I had ideas like that.” Then, when he comes home and tells me about the smart house handing out the glow bracelets, I’ll smile and say, “Actually, that house is me. I had the great idea. You can bow down now.” He won’t be able to take it back.
This plan is fool-proof.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
You crack me up!! I love how you play these senarios out in your head!! Mike should so write a sit com on your family. I’d watch!! It would like Seinfeld but even better!!!
Last year we moved into a new neighborhood and quickly cemented our place in the Hall of Fame by giving out full sized chocolate bars. The looks on the kids faces when I handed them the bars was HILARIOUS. Luckily we live in a small, gated community, so I was able to stock up again this year with plenty for cheap; I cannot let our reputation suffer this year!
Betsy´s last [type] ..Symbiotic
Awesome. Clearly been ages since I’ve been here…or reading almost any blogs. Will have to read up about your new house!
My step mother was the same way with Halloween, except instead of bracelets or toys she always passed out juice boxes or Teeny Drinks with the “good chocolate” I am 34 years old and to this day people still mention how much they loved trick or treating at that house… Or if I mention that is the house I grew up in they will bring up how it was the best house to trick or treat at!
Except… Except… The connectors for those bracelets are in fact choking hazards. Unless you have some super secret special kind out there in LA that doesn’t use the tiny plastic connector?
All in all, I think you will automatically have the best house regardless because you have Annie.
Last year we passed a house that had a bonfire going while Scooby Doo projected on their garage door. I think they were handing out hot cocoa or cider to. Of course there was candy, and costumes by the adults and some lawn decorations. My kids thought that was the coolest thing ever.
My little boy has food allergies, so Halloween is always a little stressful for me. He trick or treats then I go through his candy and give him back what is safe for him to eat. Because I am the crazy food allergy mom I give out glow sticks and playdoh. All the kids run off screaming we have the best house…you will rock as well I promise!!
I give out play doh and we don’t have crazy allergies. You aren’t alone.
As a mother of four..I KNOW you have the right idea. The kids LOVE the glow sticks. Your house is gonna be a hit!
Shan´s last [type] ..They Could Go All The Way!
Our favorite thing to get? JUICE BOXES. One of the houses in the neighborhood hands out juice boxes instead of candy. The kids are thirsty from walking and of course Mom never thinks to bring anything to drink with us. My son has an allergy, but juice is always ok!
Year after year my kids remember which house gives out the juice.
we’re going waterbottles with spooky homemade labels go{dot}tipjunkie.com/pr/6950/mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2011/10/spooky-wreath-freebie.html
and candy
Heather´s last [type] ..What to do next?
I picture trick or treating at your house to look just like the scene from E.T.
If you need to know how much candy to buy next year… pro tip: keep a notebook by the door and make a little tick mark for every trick or treater
And if you have glow sticks left the next morning… next bath you give Miss Annie, just click a bunch, toss them into her bath water (unbroken, just activated) and turn out the lights. I’m betting she’ll love it.
I like to give something special for the neighborhood kids, so I go to Target and shop in their dollar section. I usually go for cute socks and slingy toys. Target gives you options, love that store.
I gave out glow necklaces to my son’s friends at their halloween party last week. Where can you get 25 glow bracelets for $1?? I live in Canada, and the cheapest I can get them is 6 for $1. Please tell me your source.
not sure what part of Canada you’re in, but Dollarama had the black tubes of them and I’m sure there were more than 6 in there.
Neeroc´s last [type] ..Lots of planning, but are we forgetting something?
Wow–all of you have great ideas! Juice boxes and toys and glow sticks. I just give out chocolate, and I thought THAT was pretty good. So many houses in my ‘hood give out the yukky candy that never gets eaten. It is, to put it mildly, a bummer.
We do have a house that hands out chips, and another that gives out full-sized candy bars. They rank pretty high in the ‘hood. Then there is the guy who gives out the candy eyeballs, which I find really gross and disturbing, but he has fun with it, so what the heck?!
For my nieces the best house was the one which had ziplock baggies prepared with several full size candy bars and gum…. Definitely going there again this year .
Heather, I feel you!
I waited my WHOLE life practically to have a house in one of those neighborhoods that you could film if you were doing a trick or treat scene for a movie. And let me tell you, giving out the best candy here is no easy feat!
Here are the thing the neighbors appreciate the most (and mind you, my sister originated these things but I am a total ideas thief):
mini water bottles and juice boxes
mini pretzels and Teddy Grahams for the little ones (whatever you do, do NOT give these to sulky teens. They do not appreciate the bear love. They want chocolate. Just sayin’!)
Little toys (you have this covered)
My husband has a cow, but I love Halloween and it is only once a year!
Enjoy Halloween in your new home, Heather. I can’t wait to read all about it!
Everyone knows the key to being the best house is to give out real-size candy bars instead of fun size. Methinks a trip to Costco is in your future for Snickers and real-size LifeSaver rolls.
Daisy´s last [type] ..Of Biographies and Cheese
You are hilarious.
My sister-in-law went all out this year for Halloween — skeleton heads, bloody zombies, spiders, cobwebs, even a severed leg.
Unfortunately, she scared the crap out of her 3-year old who started having nightmares and she had to scale it down a bit. My brother accused her of “going a bit overboard.” Naturally, she didn’t think so.
Glowy bracelets is an awesome idea, btw!
You are a genius, here’s the thing, your mind is needed here in the Adirondacks. I have a few brilliant ideas that need your noodle.
Can’t wait to hear his response!
Amanda´s last [type] ..After the Ball
Glow sticks are awesome and that’s a great idea! Hope it’s a hit with the neighbors. You only get 1 chance to make a first halloween in the new house impression
You are a genius, Heather! I love the glow bracelet idea!
Bria´s last [type] ..A week ago
I have a friend who saves all her kids Happy Meal (she has four kids and eats there almost weekly. And math is hard.) toys and hands them out for Halloween.
Rebecca´s last [type] ..Michael Steven Buble
I have been giving these out for while now, and they really are a hit, and not just for Halloween. I lead Girl Scouts, and they are a lot of fun to pull out around the campfire. (And coincidentally make it so much easier to keep track of the girls in the dark!) But be warned, all glow bracelets are not created equal. I bought a tube of them from eBay several years ago (like
and still have some left. I have also bought them from the dollar stores when I couldn’t find my tube. The cheapo ones don’t glow nearly as bright, and if you try to store them you will only have duds after a few months. The flip side is that even though they are now eight years old, and I finally found the tube, the old ones -though weak- still work when you crack them! Plus, they weren’t all that much more expensive.
I recently moved to a new area, but I’m not expecting a ton of trick or treaters. So this year, I am giving out big treat sacks filled with candy bars, wrapped candy, and fun halloween themed candy like body part and skeleton gummies and powder candy filled test tubes, along with little toys and stickers for more filler. I can’t help it, I love to go all out, and I want the kids to know that I’ve got the best!
I am the completely opposite, a total wimp when it comes to Halloween. I actually saw that moving Freddy when we were at Party City and almost fainted because I thought it was looking at me. I send my kids down the mask aisle without me. I’m a fearless protector.
Jessica´s last [type] ..My Dream Job
LOVE it
We have a house that we go to where the lady stands on a ladder in a witches costume, totally in the dark, and throws the candy at the kids. She has scared all of us really bad at different points.
Kelly´s last [type] ..Creativity Takes Courage*
“Shhh, don’t tell Mike, even though I’m totally posting this on the website he makes regular contributions to!” Gee, I can’t wait for you guys to start planning each other’s surprise parties on thespohrsaremultiplying!
Jokes aside, the glow bracelets are genius, and major props for hopping onto the chocolate bandwagon. If you don’t wind up being the best house on the block this year, you’ll definitely be up there in the running for sure!
That is a wonderful idea. All the way around.
I think that is a fabulous idea, and Mike will, too! but no way could I do the Freddie Crugar thing. NO WAY. I am too chicken.
Megan@TrueDaughter´s last [type] ..What A Husband Is…
We always get a ton of trick or treaters. I’m talking 300 or more. One person in our neighborhood did the glow bracelet thing last year, which would have been awesome. Except she felt the need to crack them and put them together for each kid. So the line to her house was down the block. If you are going to do it, either hand them out not cracked or get them going ahead of time!
Sounds like the perfect plan. Mike should start practicing his bowing now.
Lanie´s last [type] ..No Bones About It
I gave out glow necklaces a couple of years ago. The kids loved them! Most put them on right away. And by kids, I mean every kid that came to my door – from tiny ages up to the teenagers. They were a hit!
I suck.
Please ask Brittany Gibbon’s for details. Just tell her the dumbass sent you.
This concludes my moronic behavior for today.
My husband gave our daughter a glow stick to eat a few years ago. He thought it was sugar stick. It was a very upsetting evening! Luckily, it tasted bad and she didn’t eat much and threw up immediately afterwards. I called Poison Control and everything. I felt bad because I knew it was a glow stick and forgot to take it out of the candy bag. He felt bad because he should of known. Oh, well. She is perfectly fine. Don’t let kids eat them!
A bracelet is better than just a stick because parents will know it’s a bracelet and not a sugar stick.
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