Alternative Ways To Celebrate Halloween

When I was a child, my family never celebrated Halloween. We were raised Christian and taught that Halloween was a pagan holiday that we didn't take part in because it glorified evil. My family never made a big deal about it, we just didn't participate. I never thought I was missing out on anything.

We would hand out candy to kids who came to our door, because no one wants to be "that house" -- you know, the house that doesn't give out candy. I think it was mainly about my parents politely recognizing that just because Halloween wasn't our thing that didn't mean that it wasn't an exciting day to other people, honoring the differences in all of God's creations.

It can be hard for little kids to understand why their family doesn't celebrate Halloween; if you're passing on the ghosts and goblins, we have some fun ways to celebrate God this time of year.

• Have a party in your own home and invite other children that share your beliefs. Have the kids dress up like characters from the Bible. This gives children the fun of dressing up, but gives them a basis for honoring the Lord in their choice of costume. It also encourages creativity, since most Bible characters can't be purchased in a bag at a Halloween shop. Along with candy, you can also hand out tracts, bible bookmarks and small slips of paper with Bible verses written on them. Give out prizes to children who have memorized Bible verses. or play Bible bingo.
• Do not fear the pumpkin. God made pumpkins, they aren't in and of themselves evil, they can honor God as well as anything else. You can carve a pumpkin with a cross just as easily as a scary face. Be creative: Write a bible verse on your pumpkin, or paint scenes from the Bible onto your pumpkin.
• Visit a Hell House. Like a Haunted House, the Hell House is meant to scare you. But unlike a Haunted House, a Hell House is usually run by a Christian organization or church, and generally has Christian themes and lessons throughout. Be warned though: The Hell House is not for young children. The themes are often adult in manner -- sex, abortion and suicide are common themes in a Hell House.
• Hand out candy as a family, rather than going trick-or-treating. This is an excellent way to teach children that it is better to give than to receive. Between trick-or-treaters you can read the Bible and play Bible games.

There will always be people who are offended at the idea of doing any celebrating on or around Halloween, and that's okay too. You have to do what feels right for you and your family. I just know that for me, it's important for children to know that God is mightier than anything, even Halloween, and we have nothing to fear on this planet, especially not a silly holiday where people dress up and hand out candy. Just as many people have turned Christmas into a Pagan Holiday, we can turn Pagan Holidays into ways of glorifying God. I think God will appreciate your creativity.