Halloween and all its related goodies, outfits, pumpkins, and activities are a big money maker, coming in at some $8 billion this year alone-up 17% from 2011. Even pet costumes are big sellers and are expected to bring in $370 million this time around. Really.
And all this Halloween hoopla has a long history.
Actually, the wearing of costumes harks back about 2,000 years ago to ancient Europeans and Celts who celebrated Samheim to mark the new year, November 1, and the first day of winter. To them, the upcoming season meant darkness and death, with October 31 representing the line between the living and the dead. So, to ward off being recognized by ghosts, folks back then donned masks; they also set out bowls of food by their doors to keep those ghosts from entering their homes.
We've, of course, evolved over time, but some things never change, starting with changing our appearances-and Montgomery County's Emma Rose Shapiro is doing her part to see that more and more kids can do just that. Back in 2008, when only eleven, she started The Halloween Helpers after realizing that not everyone can afford a new outfit every year. To date, her organization has collected more than 3,000 gently-used costumes and distributed them to Philadelphia-area children.
Now, though, Emma wants to extend her reach beyond Halloween, saying that, in the long run, "I would like to develop programs and services on a year-round basis that perpetuate the positive feeling and strong sense of community that Halloween provides kids."
But to achieve her goal of turning The Halloween Helpers into a "full-fledged non-profit," she needs no less than $1,700 to cover the costs of such items as government application and legal fees. We can do our part by contributing to her online fundraising campaign; that, of course, would make for the very best kind of Halloween treating.
Meanwhile, kids everywhere are gearing up for their big dress-up day, at the ready to knock on doors and say, "Trick or treat, smell my feet; give me something good to eat." Oh, yes, but safety must come first, so here are some before, during, and after tips to keep young ones out of harm's way, thanks to the CDC, American Red Cross, and knowing parents everywhere.
First off:
1. Map out your route-saves later confusion and disagreements; if your older children are going it alone, make sure you know the route they'll be taking and hand them your mobile phone, too.
2. Go for light-colored costumes which can be more readily seen by motorists and/or add a strip or two of reflective tape.
3. Make sure outfits are flame-resistant.
4. Purchase only soft, flexible, short accessories, such as knives and swords.
5. Plan on accompanying younger children-or make sure a well-known adult goes out with them. Small groups are recommended.
6. Opt for face paint instead of a mask which can interfere with vision-breathing, too.
7. If using face paint, check that it's hypoallergenic. To be sure, test it on an out-of-view spot on your child.
8. Purchase packaged treats instead of going with home-made.
9. Go with glow sticks and flashlights to light your way, and never put candles in pumpkins; instead use the battery operated kind.
10. Load your flashlight with new batteries.
11. Make sure your child's outfit fits well. Too long invites stumbling and tripping; tight-fitting cloaks can cause discomfort and even choking.
12. Remind your kids to respect other people's property-and mind their manners, too.
While Halloweening:
1. Walk on sidewalks; if you must go on the street, hug the side.
2. Insist that everybody look both ways before crossing streets-and always at marked crosswalks and corners.
3. Make sure there's no hiding between parked cars to scare others.
4. Only visit those homes that have their lights on.
5. Never go inside someone's house; just have the kids get their goodies, give thanks, and be on their way.
At the same time, be assured that others are out there to ensure everyone's safety. For instance, Lansdale police will be out in force patrolling that night-and doing so with handfuls of goodies to give out, too.
Once home:
1. Inspect all treats before allowing your children to dig in, tossing any open or suspicious-looking items, including those that are homemade.
2. Check, too, for choking hazards.
3. If food allergies are a concern, check the packaging for such listed ingredients as peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat.
4. Avoid letting the kids devour too much candy in one sitting, thus avoiding stomach aches and sugar highs. Instead, dole it out over time.
Keeping such tips in mind will go a long way toward keeping youngsters safe, while sharing some sweets with our overseas troops and donating to Emma Rose Shapiro's cause will keep the happy in Halloween, no doubt about it.
Carol Josel is a learning specialist who worked with middle school children and their parents at the Methacton School District in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years and now supervises student teachers at both Gwynedd Mercy College and Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. Along with the booklet, 149 Parenting School-Wise Tips: Intermediate Grades & Up, and numerous articles in such publications as The Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy and Teaching Pre-K-8, she has authored three successful learning guidebooks: Getting School-Wise: A Student Guidebook, Other-Wise and School-Wise: A Parent Guidebook, and ESL Activities for Every Month of the School Year. Carol also writes for examiner.com; you can find her articles at http://www.examiner.com/wise-parenting-in-philadelphia/carol-josel. For more information, go tohttp://www.schoolwisebooks.com or contact Carol at carol@schoolwisebooks.com.
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