I know you were scared after yesterday’s post- “Oh no, are we really going to have to read 30 “deep” and “philosophical” posts from Jenny this month?” but not to worry! Here’s a regular old post about how our Halloween played out.
It all started on Sunday- when I woke up, I decided to make muffins. I used this recipe from Nora Cooks for “Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins.” They have apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a crumb topping. When I went to look for muffin tin liners, I discovered these Halloween-themed ones I had completely forgotten about.
They came out very spooky-looking, and I considered it the kickoff to the Halloween festivities. When my daughter woke up she was excited. “You made muffins! They look awesome! You’re like a grandma!”
Wait. What was that last part???
Anyway, in the afternoon while I watched the Dolphins game, I put together bags for trick-or-treaters. Over the years I had collected a weird assortment of little Halloween items, and I finally decided to get rid of them once and for all.
I packed up treat bags with candy, pretzels, and little toys. Here they are, all ready for the kids! I’m no Nicole (full size chocolate bars? cans of soda?) but I felt like I did pretty well!
The Big Day
I wore my new Halloween hair clip to work! When my daughter saw it, she complimented me. I told her it came in a package of two; did she want the other one? She said, “No thanks- claw clips make you look old.” Sigh.
My daughter and her friends were Pokemon characters for trick-or-treating (yes, they’re in high school, ha ha. Hard to tell from this photo.)
Well… we got a record-low number of trick-or-treaters this year! Frankly, I blame our neighbors. Except for our house, our whole street was dark. I’m especially mad at our next-door neighbor. He put up an elaborate Halloween display, with light-up yard decorations and everything, which he turned on every night in October except for the 31st. I mean…. that’s like taking down your Christmas tree on December 23rd! The WHOLE POINT of Halloween is trick-or-treating on Halloween night! He’s so strange.
I had 20 treat bags, which I planned to give out to the earliest (i.e. youngest) trick-or-treaters, and then I had a lot of loose candy. I didn’t even get through the treat bags- I had two left (so, eighteen trick-or-treaters in all.) Bummer!
However, the kids who did come were excited with what I gave out- so, no regrets. Next up… Thanksgiving!
How was your Halloween? Did you have your normal amount of trick-or-treaters?
Claw clips… yay, or nay?
Header photo by Nicolas Picard on Unsplash
35 Responses
I like your claw clip, and claw clips in general. The muffin liners are cute and the recipe sounds great! I had never heard of treat bags at Halloween until this year. What a nice treat for the kids. We bought way too much candy this year because we had no idea how many trick or treaters we would get. Live and learn.
Yes, we have a ton of leftover candy as well. Why is it so hard to just dump it in the trash (where it belongs?)
I love the way you embrace the season! It was interesting being in the US for Halloween and seeing what a big thing it is. A number of the waiters where we went to dinner were dressed up as well as some of the diners. Also lots of people in costume in the streets. Driving from the airport to our hotel in DC last Friday we saw a number of people in costume although when we commented on it the taxi driver was like “that’s no costume, that’s normal” he did chuckle afterward.
Yes, people get REALLY into it! I don’t dress up or anything (although I think it’s fun when other people do.) And I don’t have any parties- I’m happy just being home for the trick-or-treaters.
I love that claw clips are back in because they are so easy to use…but they look ridiculous on me. I think I have an odd-shaped head? Too big? Not round enough? I have no idea but claw clips look weird and I CANNOT keep those exercise headbands on my head for love nor money.
We didn’t stay in our neighbourhood this year *sob*, but the kids had a GREAT time elsewhere with friends and we might have found a dream neighbourhood to move to?!!! (If only there were houses for sale…) Anyhoo, we left a bowl by the end of our driveway, but because of all the craziness happening we didn’t leave lights on, just the bowl with glow sticks and candy. By the time we came home the house looked dark and spooky and…kinda sad, and there was a bit of candy left but it was also pitch black so people couldn’t really tell at that point we had a table and candy, but I’d guess we had about 40 kids stop by based on the number of treats left?
The first place we went in the different neighbourhood the homeowner told us she gets about 200 kids! Wowzers! You could tell why. This neighbourhood went ALL out with epic costumes and home decor.
Yes, my daughter and her friends actually went to a more “fun” neighborhood for trick-or-treating. The important thing is it sounds like your kids had a great time!
I think your claw clip looks awesome! I have short hair, so I can’t use them, but I would use that one if I could.
Ha! Thank you.
Charlotte! It’s her time to shine. I LOVE an appearance by your kitties!
Those muffins look delicious and not at all like a grandma baked them!
Hee hee… we actually like to call Halloween “Charlotte’s big day.”
When your kids tells you that you’re just like grandma…that’s a serious compliment!
I can’t do claw clips because it’s annoying when I sit down and bump the clip. But I think they look great – of course that’s an opinion from an old person lol.
Our boys would have been thrilled to treat o treat at your house and get the goodies along with candy. Come to think of it, they would also like those muffins as well. We got a decent amount of visitors but didn’t run out of candy.
Okay, I’ll trust you and take it as a compliment! And I know what you mean about the claw clips… every once in a while I forget and wear one to the gym, instead of just a ponytail… definitely doesn’t work for things like bench press.
I already commented, but I was reading through the comments on Elisabeth’s page today and you and I must have been posting at the same time because I hadn’t seen your response when I posted, but we both talked about the Ramona books and used the exact same HP quote as our favorite. We are book twins!!
Oh seriously??? I’m glad you told me- that’s funny.
Goodness, this was a RIDE. I am SO ANNOYED about your neighbour. Why? Why would someone do that? Even if they weren’t going to be home, why not leave candy out anyway and keep the lights on? I MEAN WHAT IS THAT. I am honestly over-the-top annoyed on your behalf right now.
*calming cleansing breaths*
I think you did amazing with your treat bags (thanks for the shout out) and also that claw clip is really cute! I see lots of young girls with claw clips so I’m challenging that statement. I do have some claw clips but I don’t wear them too much as the front parts of my hair always slip out and get in my face. But they are really cute and I do like the way they look.
Thank you Nicole- I’m glad you can understand my fury over this. I mean, at least just leave candy out! It’s downright mean to decorate like that and then not participate in trick-or-treating. Grr.
Well, Halloween is not big in Germany even though it is going.
I personally don’t care about Halloween and am know to not open the door when people ring.
This year though was the first time I felt bad. Maybe it is because everyone could see we were home. But I really didn’t have any candy at home besides some cough drops. And who wants to be the cough-drop lady. So we turned off the bell and felt bad when the kids stood in front of the door.
Not sure I remember that cult next year though.
Ha ha… I think you were correct not to hand out the cough drops!
LOL LOL LOL like a grandma AND a claw clip age insult?? High schooler are the worst.
My kids adored getting treat bags— maybe next year I will level up and give them out. Also— what the heck, next door neighbor?? That makes no sense,
Yes, I saw him walking his dog today and now I secretly hate him.
You have to have thick skin to live with a high schooler! I’m used to it.
Halloween is NOT my thing. I’d be in your neighbor’s camp. Don’t hate him too much – maybe he went to another neighborhood? A party? Escaped to a movie so he didn’t have to deal with rabid children? (Just kidding! I love your enthusiasm, but unfortunately cannot even fathom getting this into Halloween…)
I really don’t think you’re in my neighbor’s camp, because I don’t think you would decorate your house like that and get everyone’s hopes up. I have no problem if people just keep their lights off and don’t hand out candy- no one is obligated to participate!
Two old comments from the same daughter? Direct hit to the heart. I had a woman ask me at a park recently if the kids I sit for were my grandkids. No. She rephrased it and asked me again a bit later. I reiterated: I’M NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE GRANDKIDS. Sheesh.
My hair is so thin, the only claw clips I can use are fairly small. I can only use them when I’m desperate for a haircut, which is my current situation.
The neighbor not sticking it out to the actual 31st – seems pretty strange. We didn’t have many trick or treaters either. It was super cold out.
Ha, people should be VERY CAREFUL about asking questions like that! Yes, I did get two “old” comments from my daughter, hurumph. Btw my hair is pretty thin too- and it’s pretty long now, making it really fill out those claw clips.
I love your clip!! Our street is next to a university and Lil Momma is the only kid (minus a new baby next door!), so we head to friends’ neighborhoods for Halloween vs handing out candy. How strange, tho, that your neighbor sat out the big show??
Yes, I have no idea what he was thinking. I hope you and Lil had a fun night!
Oh dang, only 2 trick or treaters?? We had a decent amount considering it SNOWED on Halloween!! Crazy. The last time snow stuck on the ground on Halloween was 1954. Anywho, I’m not sad that I have left over chocolates so it’s all win-win. 🙂
My sister said it snowed there and they got ZERO trick-or-treaters!
The street around the corner from ours is really busy on Halloween. I heard someone saying that they have over 1000 trick or treaters on a regular basis. Can you imagine moving there and not having a clue? Ours is more quiet but we still get some. We have quite a few steps going up to the house so I think some will also just pass it. For a while early on I sit outside at the bottom of the steps. It’s so fun to see all the costumes especially the little kids.
Ha ha, that’s funny. You move into a new neighborhood and then they tell you “By the way, be ready for 1000 trick-or-treaters.” I mean… that would get expensive!
Haha, your daughter is so blunt. I hope you don’t take it personally. I love your hairclip!
We didn’t have any trick-or-treaters… and I am glad we didn’t plan for any (I didn’t want all the leftover candy!), but I love how much effort you put into the treat bags. Wow! And those muffins look amazing. Now I am hungry.
Gosh teen daughters are so, um, opinionated! The clip is so festive! And if clips make you appear old then I’m old too. Probably without a clip I am considered old, though!
We did not have many trick or treaters this year since it was terribly cold. We are at the top of a huge hill and one block from a thoroughfare – crossing that would put you in a different neighborhood. So our house is a bridge too far for many kids/parents. But it was an especially quiet year this year.
Your neighbor is so weird. They are clearly very into the holiday or appear to be given the elaborate decorations. So to not give out candy? Truly bizarre.
I am mad at your neighbour too, what the heck, that is Halloweening under false pretenses. What is a grinch but for Halloween?
Your daughter is a savage, lol. Although in my family it’s the grandma that bakes the muffins, so maybe she’s on to something.
We only had fifteen, but the kids we had were really fun. I had to encourage them all to take more candy because I didn’t want leftovers.
Wait – claw clips are out? I thought they came back in style! I cannot keep up with these trends. I think your claw clip is cute!
We got a record-low number of trick-or-treaters, too. (I go to my mom’s house to pass out candy with her.) SEVEN total trick-or-treaters. We also made up treat bags and had wayyy too many by the end of the night. So disappointing!
I think your claw clip is great!
The muffins and treat bags look lovely.