[Crane13]

I have my first school-age kids this year. We got the costumes and are all set, but I have one question for people who have actually been trick-or-treating within the last few years...

Is it okay for kids to trick-or-treat with a pillow case for the candy? I always used a pillow case growing up and actually thought it was pretty cool. I want them to fit in, however, and I can easilly buy them each a pumpkin bucket. I am not a big fan of bringing things into my home when they are only used one day a year. I just don't want my kids (who already are questioning there rate of "normalcy") to feel like outsiders, you know?

Jill

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

I can't honestly say that I've seen many pillow cases lately. I'd go to a "dollar" store and get the pumpkins, they're cheap enough to toss out afterwards and you won't add clutter to your house.

jmho

Michelle

[crick]

My kids used the plastic pumpkin the last two years but this year my 7 year old has said "that's for babies!" I suggested the pillowcase (Like you, that's what I used as a kid) and he is excited about that.

I see everything from the buckets, the plastic "halloween" bags, pillowcases, to even easter baskets.

Let's face it, it's all about getting the candy you know? So whatever you have to put it in is pretty much okay with the kids.

Have fun!
Crick

[LoveRiddenDad]

Another idea: You could get paper bags from the grocery store or old plain tote bags and let the kids decorate themselves with glitter, stickers, and markers.

[Chantale]

I know that in my neighbourhood, only kids less than 3-4 use the pumpkin bucket... The older kids won't touch them. A lot of kids (4-10) use the Halloween plastic bags (about 50 cents each)... Most older kids/teens use pillowcases...

[Crane13]

Thanks, it has been a loooong time since I have trick-or-treated and we don't get many in the neighborhood we live in.

Plastic bags sound nice. Do I get them at Target? Doller Store? I don't think I have seen them for sale before, but I haven't really looked.

Thanks to all for keeping my kids cool and me in the know!

What are your kids wearing for halloween?

We have a four year old bob-the-builder and a six year old wendy-the-builder (because we got the princess costume and it was too itchy.)

Jill

[crick]

Jill - Target or Walmart will definitely have the plastic trick or treat bags. I've also seen some in the grocery stores.

I have a 7 year old pirate, 6 & 5 year old firefighters, and a 4 year old Spiderman.

I wanted everyone to dress up as the characters from "The Wizard of Oz" but we couldn't get any of the boys to be the scarecrow. Ah well, I still have years to hone my skills in the "do it for mom" dept. ha ha!

Crick

[stepforone]

I've got a 4 yo Dorothy (had her recital dress in blue/white leftover from dance that works great) and also a bat for the party at the zoo!

[tlc4kidz]

Our 12 and 8 year olds use the pillowcases (something they learned from their not-so-dumb mom and dad) and love it because they can always fit more candy in them than anyone else in the neighborhood. It all goes in a big bowl anyway and gets shared because we have a kid with peanut allergy and all the good stuff has peanuts.

We have a 12 year old not sure yet.....he's very creative (and a procrastinator) but I bet he'll come up with something original

8 year old pirate's of the Carribean pirate

19 month old ladybug, and
5 month old Charlie Brown (big-headed bald baby...perfect choice)

[mj77]

I used a pillow case growing up--and it wasn't all that long ago--hehe. You can always take some tape and put a face on the pillow case. Use colored tape (not sure maybe even electrical tape would work). Dad had a good idea about decorating paper bags too.

[kamamsm]

I feel so dumb! I had never thought about pillow cases. They're what we're using this year.