Embrace the Spirit of Sharing This Halloween
Halloween is often viewed as a spooky, candy-filled event, but it can also be a wonderful time to focus on generosity, kindness, and community. By turning Halloween into a season of giving, you can spread joy, make connections, and turn the holiday into something more meaningful. Whether it’s sharing treats, supporting local causes, or simply being a good neighbor, there are plenty of ways to make Halloween about more than just costumes and candy. In this post, we’ll explore how you can turn this festive season into a celebration of sharing and goodwill. Here at PurdyBooks.com, we talk a lot about (surprise, surprise) books. But sometimes we also talk about other topics that are near and dear to our hearts. This article is a completely revised version of one of our very first blog posts, updated for the season. While you’re here, be sure to check out the Halloween booklist hidden in this post.
Is Halloween a Season of Giving for You?
When it comes to Halloween, there are three types of people:
- Halloween Humbugs – These folks, usually adults, are real Halloween Grinches. Their attitude, in the words of the legendary Decimus Croome, are “Pish Posh & Poppycock.” When it comes to trick-or-treaters, they turn off all the lights in their house/apartment and ignore the Halloween Carol pleas and knocks at their door. Or as Deimus Croome would say, “People have just grown so crotchety.”
- Halloween Revelers – These are the people who really get into Halloween. They dress in costumes, hand out treats and truly celebrate Halloween for the fun holiday it is. Or as we learn in A Halloween Carol, “It is our costumes that reveal who we really are.”
- Halloween Spirits – Halloween spirits go one step further than Halloween revelers. They remember the real reason for the season. They remember that, just like Christmas, Halloween is a time for giving, for celebrating and for coming together to enjoy each other, if only for a day.
Halloween: More Than Just Trick-or-Treating
While many see Halloween as just a time for trick-or-treaters to fill their bags with candy, it can actually be much more than that. By looking beyond the usual customs, Halloween can become an opportunity for sharing in ways that strengthen your neighborhood and give back to others.
•Donate treats to local shelters or food banks: If you have leftover Halloween candy, consider donating it to shelters or food banks. Many organizations welcome donations of sweets for the families they serve.
•Host a costume swap: Instead of buying new costumes each year, organize a neighborhood or school costume swap. This not only saves money but also encourages community interaction.
•Decorate for others’ enjoyment: Make your home a source of delight for your neighbors. Whether it’s spooky or whimsical, decorating your house can bring joy to passersby and add to the festive spirit of the community.
•Organize a neighborhood trick-or-treating group: Encourage safety and community by organizing a group of parents and kids to trick-or-treat together. It’s a fun way to build connections while ensuring everyone has a great time.
How to Embrace the Halloween Spirit
Make Halloween an Opportunity for Kindness and Generosity
Some people fully embrace the idea of turning Halloween into a time for giving, embodying the essence of what it means to be a “Halloween Spirit.” These individuals don’t just hand out candy—they make Halloween an experience for everyone. Here are some ways you can become a Halloween Spirit this year:
• Host a charity Halloween party: Turn your Halloween gathering into a fundraising event. Encourage guests to bring canned goods, clothing, or monetary donations for local charities.
• Create care packages for those in need: Assemble Halloween-themed care packages filled with non-perishable treats, toiletries, and small gifts to deliver to local homeless shelters or nursing homes.
• Give time, not just treats: Volunteer at local community events, such as haunted houses, pumpkin patches, or food drives, to help create a festive environment while supporting a good cause.
- Read lots of Halloween books: Here’s some fun Halloween booklists to help you embrace this Halloween goal.
The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Story of Halloween Goodwill
One book that perfectly captures the spirit of giving during Halloween is The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol. In this heartwarming tale, Decimus Croome learns the true meaning of Halloween through a series of ghostly visits, much like Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. The author of this Halloween classic reminds readers that Halloween can be a time of reflection, joy, and sharing—if we allow it to be. If you haven’t read this charming Halloween story yet, consider picking it up this season. It’s a perfect reminder that the holidays, whether Halloween or Christmas, are about more than material things—they’re about community and kindness.
How to Make Halloween About Giving: Simple Actions
Making Halloween a season of giving doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple ideas to turn this spooky holiday into one filled with goodwill:
•Hand out non-candy treats: Consider offering healthier snacks, small toys, or items like stickers and pencils instead of candy. This thoughtful gesture will be appreciated by kids with dietary restrictions and parents alike.
•Create a donation station: Set up a table or station outside your house where neighbors can drop off donations of food, clothing, or other goods for local charities. Make it a fun and engaging part of your Halloween display.
•Plan a reverse trick-or-treat: Instead of going door to door asking for candy, gather a group and hand out small gifts or notes of appreciation to your neighbors. It’s a unique way to show kindness and spread joy.
By incorporating acts of generosity and kindness, you can transform Halloween into a true season of giving. Remember, Halloween isn’t just about tricks or treats—it’s an opportunity to come together as a community, share with those in need, and make the world a little brighter, even on the spookiest night of the year.
Related Topics and Resources:
• The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol
• How to Organize a Halloween Charity Drive
• The Benefits of Giving Back During Halloween
By embracing the spirit of giving, you can turn Halloween into a season of goodwill, creating a more meaningful celebration for yourself and others.
