Marilyn Bohn | Creative Organizer

When I was a child trick or treating was much different than it is today. We didn’t have to worry about what neighborhoods to go to or have our candy checked for problems. We would make our costumes (O.K., my mom made them) and grab a pillow case and off we would run for a fun night of trick or treat. One year I remember I had brand new black velvet shoes for Sunday. I was so excited about wearing them I wore them Halloween night. We got a big snow storm that night and my shoes were ruined. Needless to say my mom wasn’t pleased about that.

Here are some tips for getting organized for Halloween.

1. Take stock of what costumes each family member will need. Check the costume bag to see if there is something that can be re-used, or made over for another member of the family. Thrift stores are good places to find items that can be used to make costumes without a lot of expense or work. Be sure that masks are large enough so they can see well. Another consideration is to see that everyone wears flame retardant costumes, check the labels when purchasing a ready made costume.

2. Get your home ready for trick-or-treaters. Turn on the porch light and if you can light the walkway with pumpkins you have carved and lit with candles or put out Halloween luminaries.

3. Halloween decorations make a festive home. Use dried flowers, fall leaves in a vase with a ribbon tied around it. Pumpkins, corn stalks and gourds can be set around for decorations. And boutiques abound with cute decorations. Be sure to have a plastic box for the decorations to be stored in. I like the orange bins with black lids as they scream Halloween.

4. Many places now have trunk or treat or carnivals for the kids . Haunted houses and corn mazes are fun. Visit your library and check out scary stories or find out where your local haunted places are said to be.

Let’s all have a safe and fun Halloween. Being organized can help eliminate the stress we may feel about getting everything done by the time it needs to be done. By doing one thing at a time, a little at a time it will go a long way to help us have a fun time with family and friends and make it fun for our children too.