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Playing Halloween Hostess
Success Strategies for Party Planning
By Koren Wetmore
Parent participation is the key ingredient in Marie Cochran's party strategy. For five years, Cochran has organized Halloween parties for 100 Cub Scouts and their siblings in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. "Our parents work together and each one is responsible for creating and running a game booth," Cochran says. "They love it, because they don't have to worry if the candy's safe, and they don't have to worry about the kids being out on the street."
Cochran also recruits the children's help with the Scout's annual haunted house. "The older boys play roles, and they like to surprise the younger kids," she says.
"You can arrange a 'Do-Goody' scavenger hunt or plan an event that lets the children help out a local food bank or church," Ross says.
Instead of playing "Fling the Foot," you can "Chuck the Chicken," substituting a rubber chicken for the fake body part, says Krull.
Jessica Auclair, a mother of four from Crestline, Calif., employs an autumn theme for her family. She adorns her home with pinecones, candles, colored leaves and pumpkins. For festivities, she looks no further than her church.
"We go to our church because it offers safe, wholesome, alternative fun. It's more of a community gathering than just getting candy," she says. "The kids get to make new friends, and we meet a lot of new people."
Whether your goal is spooky or spirited, applying the above tips will guarantee your children a party that neither they nor their friends will soon forget. Planned just right, you may have fun, too!