Trick or Treat, Cordially Speaking
by Just Add Kids Founder,
Paula Herrmann
This harvest season, Just Add Kids has given you the Festive Fall Family Destinations, Community Trick or Treat Directory, and last week we shared a piece on Halloween Safety Tips. This week, I want to touch upon etiquette.
Please parents, if you haven't already, teach your children to say "Thank You" when they receive their Trick or Treat candy/item. Pretty simple.
Read more...
Seems over the last several years, proper manners have gone out the window as we welcome the culture of entitlement. Well, baby, I ain't buying it. And I will remind those whose children come to my door this Saturday to receive for free the treat I have worked hard to afford to buy, that a thank you is expected. I do hope to hear it. But, if I don't, I will kindly respond "Thank you, and you're welcome" with a smile on my face, only because, really, it's not the child's fault that they don't know how to properly accept a gift. It's mommy and/or daddy who haven't taught and enforced it.
Cordial Halloween, subject #1: Teach your children to say "Thank You" when they receive something from others as a kind gesture.
Ok, nuff with that. I think that message was pretty clear.
Cordial Halloween, subject #2...all inclusive trick or treat for children with food allergies. It's no secret that there is an increase in children who have (in severe cases, near or fatal) allergic reactions to such common foods as peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, to name a few. According to Food Allergy Research & Education, Inc. (FARE) 1 in 13 children in the United States are diagnosed with this serious medical condition.
The Teal Pumpkin Project™ national campaign was launched by FARE last year to raise awareness of food allergies and promote the inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season. In 2014, households from 50 states and 7 countries participated in the campaign. Had I known about it last year, I most certainly would've jumped on board, and I've done just that for this year and I am asking you to JOIN ME in providing alternatives for trick-or-treaters. I'm copying and pasting the list here from FARE's website treat items that are readily available at dollar stores, party stores, etc. I think I'll put mine in a teal bowl (which I just happen to have...it's my kitchen color!):
TAKE THE PLEDGE>>CLICK HERE and create a safer, happier Halloween by offering non-food treats for trick-or-treaters. Please share the message with your friends, families and neighbors. FARE provides you with the info and tools. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
tealpumpkinproject.org #tealpumpkinproject
Alright, one final lesson in proper Halloween decorum with Cordial Halloween, subject #3...to the dispensers of the Halloween treat, flick your porch light on! Not all homes participate in Trick or Treat, and that is perfectly fine. Though, if you are, please identify yourselves by lighting up the porch/door. Make it easy and efficient for those families out their braving the elements.
Now finally, we hope mother nature works in our favor this year and that the rain, wind, cold stays away. Wishful thinking? From the looks of the forecast for Saturday, October 31st, we may be in for a rough one.
Have a safe happy halloween, peeps!
by Just Add Kids Founder,
Paula Herrmann
This harvest season, Just Add Kids has given you the Festive Fall Family Destinations, Community Trick or Treat Directory, and last week we shared a piece on Halloween Safety Tips. This week, I want to touch upon etiquette.
Please parents, if you haven't already, teach your children to say "Thank You" when they receive their Trick or Treat candy/item. Pretty simple.
Read more...
Seems over the last several years, proper manners have gone out the window as we welcome the culture of entitlement. Well, baby, I ain't buying it. And I will remind those whose children come to my door this Saturday to receive for free the treat I have worked hard to afford to buy, that a thank you is expected. I do hope to hear it. But, if I don't, I will kindly respond "Thank you, and you're welcome" with a smile on my face, only because, really, it's not the child's fault that they don't know how to properly accept a gift. It's mommy and/or daddy who haven't taught and enforced it.
Cordial Halloween, subject #1: Teach your children to say "Thank You" when they receive something from others as a kind gesture.
Ok, nuff with that. I think that message was pretty clear.
Cordial Halloween, subject #2...all inclusive trick or treat for children with food allergies. It's no secret that there is an increase in children who have (in severe cases, near or fatal) allergic reactions to such common foods as peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, to name a few. According to Food Allergy Research & Education, Inc. (FARE) 1 in 13 children in the United States are diagnosed with this serious medical condition.
The Teal Pumpkin Project™ national campaign was launched by FARE last year to raise awareness of food allergies and promote the inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season. In 2014, households from 50 states and 7 countries participated in the campaign. Had I known about it last year, I most certainly would've jumped on board, and I've done just that for this year and I am asking you to JOIN ME in providing alternatives for trick-or-treaters. I'm copying and pasting the list here from FARE's website treat items that are readily available at dollar stores, party stores, etc. I think I'll put mine in a teal bowl (which I just happen to have...it's my kitchen color!):- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
- Bubbles
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Mini Slinkies
- Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
- Bouncy balls
- Finger puppets or novelty toys
- Coins
- Spider rings
- Vampire fangs
- Mini notepads
- Playing cards
- Bookmarks
- Stickers
- Stencils
TAKE THE PLEDGE>>CLICK HERE and create a safer, happier Halloween by offering non-food treats for trick-or-treaters. Please share the message with your friends, families and neighbors. FARE provides you with the info and tools. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
tealpumpkinproject.org #tealpumpkinproject
Alright, one final lesson in proper Halloween decorum with Cordial Halloween, subject #3...to the dispensers of the Halloween treat, flick your porch light on! Not all homes participate in Trick or Treat, and that is perfectly fine. Though, if you are, please identify yourselves by lighting up the porch/door. Make it easy and efficient for those families out their braving the elements.
Now finally, we hope mother nature works in our favor this year and that the rain, wind, cold stays away. Wishful thinking? From the looks of the forecast for Saturday, October 31st, we may be in for a rough one.
Have a safe happy halloween, peeps!
Comments
Post a Comment