By Wendi Rank

Halloween is the best holiday of the year. 

One might argue the best holiday is Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or – gah – Mother’s Day. One can argue Halloween isn’t even a holiday. 

But you and I know that’s wrong. Show me another day where you can enjoy two of the best contributions of humankind – Jamie Lee Curtis and Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins. 

I mean, have you seen those things? They’re so thick! That much peanut butter shouldn’t be legal.  

As a parent, I’m supposed to say it’s all about the kids. The costumes. The school parades. But I won’t because that’s ridiculous. It’s all about Michael Meyers and obscene amounts of peanut butter. 

So obviously, my Halloween isn’t affected by Covid. But if you’re a trick-or-treat lover, we need to talk. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are not supporters of trick-or-treating. Too much touching, too much passing in close proximity to others. All the Covid nasties come into play with trick-or–treating. 

 But if you keep your kid home Halloween night, they’ll eat your Reese’s. And you’ll probably get a call from the school when your little darling decides they’re Jamie Lee, in the very worst of ways. 

So here are a few tips to optimize your Halloween while minimizing your risk. 

But really, you’re better off with John Carpenter. 

Tip #1 Para-”Normal” Activities 

Don’t forget the everyday rules of the pandemic. Make sure everyone washes their hands. Socially distance. Don’t engage outside your house if anyone is sick, or has been near someone sick.  

And please remember Halloween costume masks are no substitute for face coverings, nor should they be worn with face coverings.  

Tip #2 Make Alternatives Child’s Play 

Instead of the riskier door-to-door candy grabs, consider a trunk-or-treat with your pod. Hold it someplace the whole neighborhood can’t attend, and ask your group to limit contacts two weeks before and after Halloween. 

Decorate your trunk like any other year, but leave the candy out. Individual grab-and-go bags, spaced far enough apart to avoid being touched by many little hands, can be laid out in front of your car. Keep six feet apart, and only allow one sibling group to approach at a time. 

Even better, stay home, but flip your holidays. Instead of hiding Easter eggs, hide candy for the kids to find. Just make sure the candy can’t be accessed by younger siblings or pets. 

Tip #3 Don’t Get “Carrie”-d Away 

After Jamie Lee and gobs of peanut butter, the best part of Halloween is eating candy as soon as possible. If you go with trunk-or-treat, hit the pause button on indulging. 

Kids should wash their hands before they eat anything. And, as outlined here in Good Housekeeping, it’s probably a good idea to let the candy sit for 72 hours. 

Have a stash of your own candy for the kids to dive into to avoid tears or, in my case, eye-rolls. 

Just make sure it’s not your Reese’s. 

CDC recommendations for Halloween can be found here. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendi Rank is a Willow Grove native with a graduate degree from LaSalle University. She has worked as a school nurse, a registered nurse, and a nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has previously written for the journal Nursing.

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