Halloween and Other Traditions? Do You Have Any?

So one thing that I love is family traditions.  I did not grow up around a large family as most of my extended family lived in Michigan while we lived in Florida, but we had our traditions such as driving packing up the truck and driving 4 hours to spend the holiday with my grandmother. My children also do not have a huge extended family but they do have a small one and we are all located relatively in the same area. It is pretty much my family, my mother and her husband’s family, and my sister and her family.It is a little easier for us to get together for fun family traditions.

My mother a few years back decided to have a “Pumpkin Party” where we all go together at a local park the weekend before Halloween to hang out. We I carved pumpkins for everyone and my mother gave all the kids goodie bags and we munched on snacks and had hot dog and hamburgers. It really was rather enjoyable, so we decided to do it again the following year. This has become our family tradition our annual “Pumpkin Party” my children just naturally ask now when the pumpkin party is. This month for our families has been busy since my mother had to move by the end of October due to her landlord deciding NOT to re-rent the house she was living in. So the weekend BEFORE Halloween, last weekend, ended up being moving weekend instead of the “Pumpkin Party”.

Our “Pumpkin Party” this year will take place this Sunday on Halloween itself. It was mentioned maybe not having it this year because of everything going on and members of the family having plans but I have to say I kind of pushed to have it this year because I really want my children to grow up and think. Remember how we had a “Pumpkin Party” each year and possibly carry on the tradition with their own children. I find myself thinking often of little things that I think will burn lasting memories into my children based on my own memories. For example my daughter will ALWAYS ask my mother if she can have some candy in her candy dish that sits on the cocktail table.

So mom I know you got a new sofa but I hope you at least put out the candy dish each time Honey visits.

I can see how she will grow up and remember this as something she always did when she came to her grandmother’s house. I too have memories like this of my grandmother. Oh I just thought of another lasting memory/tradition that I have carried on with the help of my mother. My grandmother every year for Christmas would send my sister and I a Christmas ornament, ever since we were babies. She always found the cutest and unique ornaments. I asked my mother once I had children to please do the same so that when they move out they will have their very own set of unique ornaments with memories attached to each one. Each year when we deocrate our tree I LOVE to get out my ornaments and remember each one and think of my own grandmother.

I would love to hear about any traditions you have for Halloween or other holidays!

Here are a few photos from our previous “Pumpkin Parties” that I thought would be fun to share!