Halloween tips and tricks for older people
Love it or loathe it, Halloween has become an increasingly popular event in New Zealand and there’s a high likelihood that there’ll be at least a few kids wandering up and down your street looking for lollies.
But Halloween isn’t for everyone. So here are a few tips if you’d like to avoid the trick-or-treaters.
Put up a sign politely asking people not to knock on your door
Turn off your outside lights and pull your curtains
Consider putting something outside your front door like your rubbish bin to block the entrance
Consider inviting a friend or family member round to sit with you, or ask if you can go and visit someone else
If you don’t mind giving out lollies but don’t want to answer the door then you could consider leaving a bowl of lollies by your front door or your mailbox with a sign inviting people to help themselves, but to leave some for others. Don’t forget to check it every so often to refill, or bring it in when you’ve run out.
If you are happy to have trick-or-treaters visit
Add some decorations or put up a sign to show they are welcome
Make sure your outside lights are turned on so people can see the way
Make sure your pets are secure before you open the door
Have a variety of lollies so that your visitors have a choice. Look out for specials at the supermarket so you don’t have to spend too much.
Keep your lollies handy so it’s easy to hand them out when people come to the door
Other ways to celebrate Halloween with your grandchildren or GrandFriend’s family
Halloween doesn’t have to be just about scoffing a load of lollies. Here are some other activities you could try.
Carve a pumpkin - Buy some pumpkins from the supermarket and carve them into spooky or funny faces. You could have a competition to see who can make the best carving.
Make costumes - Even if you aren’t planning on trick or treating it can still be fun to dress up for Halloween. See what you have around the house and challenge yourselves to make a costume from it.
Do some Halloween baking - Find some Halloween-themed cookie cutters and you can make and decorate cookies shaped like ghosts, witches or pumpkins. Or use the leftover pumpkin from your carving to make soup or a pumpkin pie
Make some decorations - Draw ghosts or pumpkins and then decorate them to hang around the house.
