Halloween looks a little different this year, that’s for sure. With social distancing, quarantine, town rules, cancellations, mask rules, PVC-pipes and more, COVID-19 has certainly affected Halloween. Note that this is supposed to be a slightly humorous article, with some realistic and some exaggerated tips. I love my siblings, but overstating their young qualities is fun. So from a big sister herself, remember to let them have fun and stay safe this year! Here are five survival tricks for taking your little siblings trick-or-treating:

1. Please, please, please follow the CDC Guidelines- See the email “Next Week at Montrose, October 24-30, 2020” sent out on Saturday the 24th. Note that in addition to these CDC guidelines, individual towns or communities may have specific guidelines or rules. In summary, here are the CDC guidelines for this year:  

• Do not use costume masks in place of cloth masks
• Do not use a costume mask (as in Halloween costume masks) as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around your face.
• Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Do not share your Halloween treats.

2. Know if a house is giving out candy- Let’s be honest: if you are going trick-or-treating with your siblings, you will want to be done as soon as possible, even if you are going by choice. Once they have candy, children just want to eat it. If you’re smart, wait until you are all home to eat your weight in candy, but either way, the littles will get savage the longer you wait. Usually, our group spends a lot of time going up to a house only to realize that they’re not giving out candy. Especially this year, even more houses will not be giving out candy. To avoid skirmishes between kids or wildly dramatic complaints, you should know that there are a couple tell-tale signs that a house isn’t giving out candy. Pay attention to front lights, house lights, and path lights. An absence of lights is typically a sign that a house is not handing out candy. COVID set-ups are another thing to look out for. Do you see any PVC-pipes or little baggies at the end of the driveway? If you see either of these signs, feel free to head up to the house. Most importantly, beware of other crying littles. If other people are dragging screaming littles, they are probably upset due to missing candy, so make sure you steer clear of these other groups. 

3. Wear a huge costume- If the littles come home with COVID, not only do you have to stay home from school, but your parents might get upset. Obviously, candy-contamination is one factor, though it is out of your control. Another way for the virus to spread might be from others walking around. I don’t know about your neighborhood, but my neighbors walk around in huge groups with people everywhere. However, this year you want people to stay away from you. If you wear a wide costume, people will be forced to stay 6-feet away from  you. An added bonus is that children can’t demand rides! Some 6-feet plus costume ideas are a balloon, donut, 2020 inspired-backpack, a skittle, star-wars character with a lightsaber, or even something with wings. Honestly, just have something that is wide or a costume that involves something long or pokey to remind people to STAY AWAY from you and your little(s).

4. Have extra candy- Many houses aren’t giving out candy this year, and the littles will get angry if they do not receive at least 20 pounds of candy. I guarantee there will be bloodshed. Overall, you want them to be happy (at least enough so that your parents aren’t mad at you). Make sure you buy at least one enormous bag of assorted treats per child. Candy flies off the shelves, so remember to buy ASAP. Make sure that the pack has their favorite candy, so that the children will be happy. But assorted is important, too, because while a sugar high is the goal, it’s important to have a variety and/or choices. Slowly add to their pile during your active trick or treating process so that they don’t get angry when you keep walking around with as many treats as they are used to. Do this to avoid unhappy revolts, but bring more than you think they can eat. Because they can ALWAYS eat more. And so can you! 

5. Bring a safe and/or barbed wire container- Every big sister knows that once you have candy, you need to hide it and guard it with your life. When even the smallest amount of sugar enters the little’s system, you are doomed. The second they get candy in their little hands, immediately put it in a safe hiding place. However, by this time they know my methods and so I come prepared. To match their power tools, I suggest making a complicated drop point and distraction system with other friends who I can convince that they have nothing better to do on Halloween night.  Now, you might think that you can give them candy before this time, but do not break. No matter how much whining, pleading, or threatening they do, do not give in. This will only result in a sugar-fueled crazy meltdown later. And I don’t know about you, but I like all of my limbs where they are!

By Amelia White ‘25, Middle School Editor

25awhite@montroseschool.org