Over the years we've built many wonderful traditions in our family. Halloween is no exception. We celebrate with part family tradition, part local tradition, and a bit of good ol' American gluttony.
This year Lupine chose to be a bluebird. It wasn't much of a stretch, as her birthname is Lupine Bluebird Wolf, and she has claimed the name since she was barely two ("No me Lupine. Me Bluebird.") Sage, who loves the darkness of halloween was transformed into a vampire.
The hat was based off of a free Ravelry pattern called the "Wee Balaclava". I knitted the beak free-form and embroidered on the eyes. It will serve as her everyday winter hat this year as well.
Sage created his own costume in its entirety, save the bat wings that he asked me to sew. I love watching him grow into his own authentic person and create from the ideas in his mind.
The opportunity to have a bit of food coloring- and corn syrup-free Halloween fun, combined with community connection is one the the blessings of living where we do. After the Enchanted Forest Walk we take to the streets for trick-or-treating. Our town is small, so we see many friends as we travel our two block route.
After returning home we eat some sweets and choose a few candies to keep. The rest we leave for the Pumpkin Fairy. We read a Samhain story from Circle Round, then the children place an apple in their windowsill for Grandfather Deer (a character in the story). By morning The Pumpkin Fairy has worked her magic and the candy has been transformed by into a small treasure for each child. The apples, of course, are gone – taken away by Grandfather Deer on his journey to the Isle of Apples.
With each season we carve out a bit more or our family's traditions. It is grounding to know the rhythm and customs that each season brings, and we appreciate the new magic that comes with the cycling seasons.
And what about you? What traditions does your family look forward to? (Share a favorite or two in the comments field. You might just inspire another family with a wonderful new tradition.)
The Pumpkin Fairy is PURE genious! I wish I would have known about this earlier!!! This is a MUCH better way to address the mountains of candy than hiding it until they forget about it. I just may have to work out a story for the Parade Fairy as well…
Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this!!!
Jody,
We discovered her through a dear friend a few years ago and we LOVE her. We started with participation optional and Sage entered tentatively. Now the kids willingly say goodbye to their treats, we drape them in a play silk, and – poof! – the food coloring and sugar and corn syrup is gone! So glad you are inspired. Enjoy (She can still come in November, you know!) 🙂
Love the pumpkin fairy idea! My boys don’t really like much of the candy that they get, but love the community involvement that trick or treating provides. 😉 We always let them pick some to keep, but then also have ‘good’ treats at home for them – which they like much better. Honey sticks, cheese, pretzels, or home made decorated organic cookies (skulls & crossbones were decided upon this year). I love the idea of making the junk we don’t keep a part of a bigger tradition.
I love the idea of keeping special good treats on hand at home on Halloween. I have become such an anti-sugar mama that I never considered that as an alternative to all the junk! Do you have a skull cookie cutter?
Rachel,
I forgot to ask as well…we come from out of town to trick-or-treat in Viroqua (our families live there) so we were unaware of the Enchanted Forest Walk…are all welcome? We would love to participate next year!
All are welcome! You can call the school for details (this year the location changed, so I dont know when and where it will be next year). Its very sweet! Be sure to say hello.
Rachel, what kind of product do you use for your kids’ face painting?
We use Lyra face pencils. I pick them up locally at Paper Scissor Stone, a Waldorf school supply store. (They do have a website as well.)