Pumpkins, leaves changing colors, less daylight; all of this can mean one thing – Halloween is quickly approaching! Children will be dressed as a pumpkin, their favorite superhero/character, a ghost, etc. School parades, tricky trays and the ever popular trunk or treat and trick or treats! This leaves the question of which is better: to trick or treat, or to trunk or treat?

Growing up, you’d see the PSA’s on trick or treating on the television this time of the year. We were told to always make sure you trick or treat with an adult, and to always dump your candy at home and have your parents check it prior to consumption. Needless to say, I always thought this was so my parents could take the candy they liked, and I’d be stuck with the popcorn balls and pretzels (don’t worry; they only took the Mary Jane’s!). With trunk or treat, there are not as many worries for parents.

Most trunk or treats are organized by either a school or a church. They gather in their parking lot, and have their vehicle trunks decorated. Sometimes there is a theme, other times you just decorate for Halloween or the season. Pumpkins and scarecrows are often a popular choice! Then comes the fun part! Games, prizes and candy!

It wouldn’t be Halloween without some fun and games! Those who decorate their car often make up fun games for the children who visit them. It can be as simple as a bean bag toss, or as messy as bobbing for apples! If a child wins the game, they are often given a prize or extra candy! Most probably opt for the extra candy, but it’s the decorator’s choice!

Trunk or treat also helps to bring the community and the Parish together. Connecting church and community together is a great way to bring fun and safety to those with a young family. Your children are in a safe environment, where they can go from car to car without major worries.

As you can see candy is involved in both trunk or treating and trick or treating. The trunk or treat has a controlled environment where most people know one another; there is more trust with the parents that the candy will not be tampered with, and that it is in a safe, well lit area. What kids like the best is that trunk or treats are not held on Halloween, but rather the weekend before. That means they are able to acquire extra candy!  It’s a win-win for both parent and child.

Now, don’t think that Parish Giving is not able to assist with your parish’s trunk or treat! We have our forms that make signing up convenient for everyone involved! All you need is 5 minutes out of your busy schedule to sign up, and a form of payment if needed! You’ll receive a confirmation in your email that it was a success and you’re all done. We know you have other things to do during your day, so we wanted to make signing up for events one less hassle!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!