Trick or Treat MINI-CHAT Recap!

Here are some of the things that we discussed in our MINI-CHAT:

SAFETY:
When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester or look for the label "Flame Resistant." Flame resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with
candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy
materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists.

For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim
costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's
headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.

Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.

Costumes should be well-fitted and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.

Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high
heels are not a good idea.

Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over
children's eyes and obstructing vision.

If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides
adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full
vision.

Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.

TREATS:

Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined
them carefully for evidence of tampering. I usually squeeze
the candy gentley to make sure no air can get into the candy. If
it ballons up it has no holes in the packageing. If it does not then
I toss it as you never know!

Carefully examine any toy or novelty items received by
trick-or-treaters under three years of age. Do not allow young
children to have any items that are small enough to present a
choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could
separate during use and present a choking hazard.

Treat idea for family or close friends: I bought some plastic disposable gloves at Wal-Mart and stuffed them with caramel corn, and then tied the ends with the spider webbing you can buy in the Halloween department. Then I slid a plastic spider ring on one of the fingers. Since these candies aren't individually packaged, then I wouldn't hand them out to the neighborhood kids, the parents prolly won't let them eat it.

Lollipop ghosts are a fun treat to pass out as trick or treating candy or as a treat for a classroom or small group. Purchase the large round lollipops, the kind with gum or candy in the center, white tissue paper or tissue, and small rubber bands. Cut the tissue paper into pieces, five inches by five inches. Wrap the lollipop in the tissue and put the rubber band at the base of the stick and the candy. If you can't find small enough rubber bands, use glue, string or tape. Draw eyes and a mouth on the lollipop and you now have a ghost. If you want to coordinate a display for your ghosts, purchase a white Styrofoam block that is flat and long, big enough for all the lollipops, and a thin piece of gray Styrofoam. Cut out tombstones from the thin piece and with a black pen write RIP in the mini tombstones. Stick the tombstones in the big Styrofoam and stick the ghosts around the "graveyard." Trick or treaters can grab their own ghostly lollipop from this great display.

Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields when out trick or treating. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don't go off the beaten track. Tell them to stay in well lit areas and make sure they carry a flash light of some kind

MORE TREATS:

Fruits. There was a time when the idea of giving out fruit to trick-or-treaters became decidedly unpopular, based on some powerful but unproven urban legends involving apples and razor blades. Parents were often warned to inspect their child's fruit carefully, even x-rayed if necessary. In a more health-conscious world, however, tensions have eased considerably. If you want to give out fruits as alternatives to candy, make sure you inspect them yourself and then wrap them in tissue paper. Parents may still wish to inspect their child's haul, but may appreciate the thoughtfulness of a healthy treat being offered.



Gift Certificates. No, this doesn't mean those expensive 'free meal' certificates you might consider at Christmas time. This would be free gift certificates offered as promotional items by local fast-food restaurants. Ask around and see which restaurants have a program in place for such giveaways. Often the coupons are for free french fries or a small drink, which may encourage parents to come into the restaurant with their little redeemers. No cost to you except some time, and the restaurants get some free publicity with your help.


Plastic Toys. Seek out a catalog from one of those companies that sell wholesale plastic toys for carnivals and fund-raisers. Someone in your local PTA or church organization may have a catalog you can borrow, if you can't find one of your own. You can order a tremendous amount of plastic toys at a very low price. Many of these toys can be holiday-specific, like spider rings or other 'spooky' Halloween items. You can mix and match these toys, and offer them to children much like you would candy. You could also purchase several larger toys and hand them out as prizes for 'scariest costume' or 'best screamer' or whatever. A good toy can still fascinate a child, regardless of how modern they think they are.


Sports or trading cards. If you have a little more money in your Halloween treat budget, you might consider buying some sports cards or another popular trading card for children. Those with large budgets can probably afford to leave an entire pack in every child's bag, but you could still break the packs down into single entities. Check out the latest fads in collectible cards, or go to your local sports collectibles outlet and get a mix of popular sport cards.


School supplies. This doesn't have to be as boring as it may appear. Consider getting a supply of colorful pencils, or erasers with designs on them. Crayons can be ordered through a bulk toy catalog. Pencil sharpeners can be a popular and necessary item. Stickers are very popular decorative items for little girls who like to dress up their notebooks. Little boys may appreciate stickers of trucks or action heroes. Find out the names of popular music stars and seek out inexpensive posters or other items that could be hung in lockers.

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREATING PLACES:

Besides your own neighborhood there are many options for
treak or treating. Your local mall offers trick or treating.
This is a good idea if the weather is not great. of course
the candy is the less expensive kind. You can usually
find a costume contest also.

Neighborhood in the boonies? Go to a freinds neoghbor hood
and trick or treat with them. Gives you a chance to catch up
with a friend while the kids get some loot!

Don't forget to visit the intown grand parents too.