Candy Alternative Treats for Trick or Treat

Call me an old bat, but I hate Halloween--the ghoulishness, haunted houses, the money wasted on decor, the landfill waste, the candy focus. I'd didn't even like it as a kid. I liked that it made old people happy seeing costumes. I liked dressing up in not scary costumes. But there are other, better ways to do those things. Regardless, I'm not a Scrooge that I pass out treats. But I do like to give sugar alternatives. I wrote one list and here are 10 more trick-or-treat handouts. 10 Candy Alternative Treats for Halloween

Catholic All Saints Day Party Games

Catholics celebrate All Saints Day on November 1, following All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween. Families and churches seeking alternatives to Halloween often host All Saints Eve parties. Here are games to play for your All Saints Day or Eve party. Use holy cards, religious medals, icons, saints statues, a rosary, Bible, childrens missal and images of saints as prizes. Give out candy. This helps children not to feel left out from all the Halloween and trick-or-treat fun. Children love the costume part of Halloween, so help them create costumes based on saints and Biblical characters. Our family participated in mass prior to the All Saints Parties and part of the mass was a procession of children and families dressed as saints. I've made costumes for John the Baptist, King Melchoir, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joan of Arc, Helen of the Cross, St. Vincent de Paul, Miriam (sister of Moses) and St. Joseph the Worker.  Catholic All Saints Day Party Games

Anti-Bullying Bibliotherapy Books to Give as Kids Gifts

This is the 75th anniversary year of the prestigious Caldecott Medal for children's book illustrations. Books are essential to learning and bibliotherapy is an important tool in teaching affective lessons. I use children's literature to defuse a gamut of emotionally charged issues. Bulling tops the list. Here's a reading list that helps kids deal with bullies in proactive ways. These books are funny and light-hearted.   Anti-Bullying Bibliotherapy Books for Kids