HERE ARE SEVEN WAYS TO HAVE A MEMORABLE DAY

The COVID-19 pandemic has all of us scrambling to find alternatives to everyday activities and celebrations. With fall here, many parents are asking if Halloween should be canceled this year.

We say absolutely not! As party planners and parents ourselves, we’ve seen it all. And one thing remains constant, pre-pandemic and today — children are resilient. When you present them with creative options to the time-honored tradition of trick or treating, you may be surprised at how excited they’ll become. Pivot your outlook and focus on what you can do to celebrate this cherished autumnal holiday.

According to the National Retail Federation, people are still celebrating with safe at-home activities such as decorating their homes, carving pumpkins and dressing up their pets.

The good news is that there is no one way to celebrate. The key is to have fun, be safe and unleash your creativity.

You may be wondering how to approach the subject of Halloween with your kids. You can even be a bit more nontraditional-looking since this year is anything but traditional.

First, set some ground rules and encourage them to suggest their own ideas. For instance, masks are essential to staying safe, so make it into an activity to decorate them to match their costumes. Let them choose what supplies they need and how best to design their creation.

Next, if you don’t feel comfortable sending your kids out trick or treating, take a look at these alternatives to ensure they have a memorable experience that can be enjoyed over a longer period of time than just Halloween night.

Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt at home or coordinate with other families who are within your “quarantine crew” to make a map and have a special surprise at each house that’s participating. Have them look for such Halloweenthemed things as ghosts, a spooky house, pumpkins, monsters, scarecrows, spider webs — the list goes on and on. The hunt also doesn’t have to be on Halloween night so you can avoid larger crowds.

Do a “candy hunt” similar to an Easter egg hunt and hide candy throughout your yard or home. It’s a safe way to control what’s given and

eaten by your children. Stock up on favorites and throw in a few healthy goodies too. The reaction alone will be priceless!

• Design a haunted house within your own house using spooky decorations, like 4-foot-tall skeletons. You can also use hanging bat cutouts; black, orange and silver balloon garlands, and cobwebs as starters.

• Decorate pumpkins. This can be fun at any age. Get the party going with a pumpkin decorating kit. If your children are too young for carving, you can paint them or use sticker decorating kits. Display them in your house or yard for all to admire.

• Make sweet treats. There are plenty of fun ideas on Pinterest and elsewhere online, starting with festive cupcake kits for inspiration. Wash your hands frequently and practice safe eating and drinking (no sharing allowed!).

• Create a spooky tablescape with your kids. Whether it’s a small gathering with only your family or a few friends, you can still have a dinner party with Halloweenthemed food and fun tableware. Your kids will have a blast making the home a spook-filled place.

• Host a virtual costume contest. Send out e-vites to family and friends with guidelines and links for participating and viewing. It’s a great way for kids to parade in their costumes, plus a safe opportunity for older family members miles away to enjoy the festivities as well.

Remember, it’s important for not only the safety of your family but also others to continue to practice social distancing.

Halloween is the kickoff to the holiday season, and while it’s crucial to stay safe this year, it’s also important to make lasting memories with your families. There are still so many ways to have fun and, who knows, maybe you’ll even create new traditions that will last for years to come.