Halloween is a huge deal in this house. We spend the entire month of October celebrating!

My daughter has already decorated with sparkly pumpkins and Halloween gnomes and spiders. We’ll plan pumpkin decorating—mostly painting them because last year they went all out with everyone carving pumpkins and my dd didn’t like the mess. Painting them and letting them rot on the inside is the better plan in her mind.

Of course, there will be big plans for costumes. We get costumes, but we’re really serious about the accompanying makeup transformations. (I’ll share photos throughout the month of previous efforts.)

Then there are the events around the local area. Tomorrow’s the “Pumpkin Patch” in a little town not far from here. If the rain that’s forecast holds off, we’ll head there for hayrides and good food. Halloween night itself is a marathon. The town’s churches hold “alternative” events, giving out candy and hosting games. The kids time it so they can hit every one of them and still be able to “Trick or Treat” around a neighborhood or two. At least, the little ones do. Okay, so the big ones will go in costume and hold the 8-year-old’s hand and hope the person at the door sends some extra candy their way. You are never too old for Treats!

And of course, every weekend until the big day, we’ll be watching some Halloween classics. Of course, there’s Hocus Pocus and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Those were my dd’s favorite when she was growing up, and she’s continuing the tradition. We’ll watch Halloweentown and the new Halloween classic starring Adam Sandler—Hubie Halloween.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, offer some more suggestions for movies or Halloween activities!