It’s that time of year again and this year, Halloween is a bit “tricky” to talk about because it might involve a whole lot more than “trick or treating.” Along with so many other changes this year, for some families, there could well be changes to your Halloween routine too. A global PANDEMIC might not have you thinking PARTICIPATE when it comes to knocking on stranger’s doors but there are still PLENTY of ways to have fun this Halloween. Let’s discuss these “three P’s” and how you can still have a safe Halloween that’s sure to PLEASE!
PANDEMIC
Sure it’s a trying time for us all and maybe you’re even thinking why is a Dentist, interested in promoting oral hygiene, promoting Halloween? Well, let’s be honest, kids are missing out on a lot this year and if there is still a way to have fun safely, the team here at Brinkley Dental in Brampton thinks: “let’s do this!” If your community proceeds with a Halloween celebration, follow all the proposed safety guidelines and discuss the rules with your children up front. Make sure everyone trick-or-treating wears a mask and we’re not just talking about the costume kind! Get creative – sew (or enlist someone you know that can) a great mask that coordinates with your child’s costume. Just don’t leave home without one!
PARTICIPATE
Do what feels right for you and your family. Don’t be pressured into running around the neighbourhood if that’s outside of your comfort zone but DO find ways to still have a fun and enjoyable evening for your family. In fact, Brinkley Dental thinks this year, perhaps more than ever before Halloween is a great opportunity for families to gather in a special celebration. Have a party where both the adults and the kids in your house get dressed up to have some fun. Think of the advantages if Halloween night proves cold, damp or just plain miserable – if you’re at home, warm and safe inside, with your own family you won’t care! Think about things to do that are a little outside of the usual. When was the last time you bobbed for apples or hung donuts from the ceiling on a string and have your little ones try to take a bite? If it’s just the family in the house, everyone is having fun and everyone is staying safe.
PLENTY of ways to have fun
Here are a few more suggestions on how to enjoy this very different Halloween:
- For younger children – work together with the neighbours you know to exchange “safe” candy. Pre-package ahead of time with whatever treats you would like you child to have and distribute them to the few houses nearby you plan on visiting. On arrival, your neighbor already knows what to hand out and you know your child is receiving something safe from your own house.
- Trunk or Treat – some communities are making Halloween a one-stop shop this year, gathering in one location, at a safe distance, to distribute candy so children don’t have to go door to door. If everyone is gloved and masked – this could be the solution you are looking for.
- Allow your children to go out but with supervision. If you’re community allows trick-or-treating this year, consider letting your children participate but just like with school, with some extra rules. Agree on the route, ensure everyone is wearing a mask and a “have a no treats along the way” rule. However, you might consider carrying a few with you, after all it’s Halloween and if you’ve got a safe treat in your pocket, then letting your child enjoy one or two so they aren’t tempted by what’s in their bag just makes good sense.
- Agree on the length of time Halloween goodies will be “quarantined.” For this one we urge you to follow public health guidelines for best estimates on how long the virus might survive on packaging. Make sure the treats are well hidden – from you and the kids – to avoid temptation!
- Trick or Treat at home. Some families are choosing to decorate various doors in their home with unique themes and will be encouraging their little ones to walk door-to-door, in costume, inside the house! You can put an address on the door, or pretend each door is the house of a family member like grandparents or a favourite aunt and have different treats behind each one. This is your chance to let your inner door decorating diva shine!
- Older kids might appreciate a Halloween Horror Night with scary movies, popcorn and maybe even some pizza. If you have one or two friends, or perhaps a cousin, already a part of your social bubble, invite them to join in the fun.
We’re confident you’ve already thought of a few great ideas without our help but if not – we hope these suggestions have given you some inspiration! We’d be remiss if we didn’t also remind you to brush your teeth after all that trick-or-treating – we are still Dentists after all – but there’s no reason not to try and enjoy this Halloween, even if it looks a little different than those in the past. Thanks for reading and as always, “don’t forget to be a BFF with your mouth and brush that smile!”
