Part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.
The countdown to Halloween is officially on, and now’s the perfect time to start pulling your Halloween plans together. Between school events, costume parties, and trick-or-treating, the week can fill up fast — so taking a few minutes today to plan the night itself will make everything feel a lot more organized (and a lot less frantic).
Today’s goal: create your Halloween night plan — whether that means going trick-or-treating, hosting friends, or staying cozy at home with a spooky movie and snacks.
This isn’t about perfection; it’s about being prepared so you can enjoy the evening right alongside your family.
👻 Check In on Costumes
Before finalizing your Halloween plans, do a quick costume check-in.
Have each family member try on their costume to make sure:
- It fits comfortably (no itchy seams or too-short sleeves)
- Accessories and props are ready
- They can walk and move easily
If you have older kids or teens, check in about their Halloween plans — who they’re going with, what time they’ll be home, and if they need anything like a flashlight or glow stick.
It’s a small step that keeps Halloween night running smoothly.
🍕 Plan Dinner Before the Fun
No matter what your Halloween plans look like, don’t forget dinner. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping everyone happy (and not just fueled by candy).
In our house, it’s always a pumpkin-shaped take-and-bake pizza — festive, easy, and guaranteed to get eaten.
Other simple ideas:
- Mummy dogs (hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls)
- Slow cooker chili or soup you can make earlier in the day
- Mystery Halloween Dinner Kit (from my Etsy shop!) — a fun at-home twist if your plans don’t include trick-or-treating this year
🍬 Get Your Candy Station Ready
Part of any good Halloween plan is making sure you’re ready for trick-or-treaters — whether you’re home or out walking the neighborhood.
Here’s your quick checklist:
- Candy purchased
- Candy bowl ready to go
- Porch lights checked
- “Please Take 1 or 2 Candy” sign printed (you can grab yours in the Holiday Hub!)
- Extra bag for late-night trick-or-treaters
If you’ll be away while little goblins are still out and about, the printable “Please Take 1 or 2 Candy” signs make it easy to keep your candy station friendly and festive while you’re gone.
🕯️ Safety First
Your Halloween plans aren’t complete without a quick safety check:
- Phones fully charged
- Flashlights or glow sticks packed
- Reflective tape added to costumes or bags
- Weather-appropriate layers ready
- Pets secured indoors
You can find a full safety checklist inside today’s printable to make sure everyone stays safe and visible while having fun.
📸 Add a Fun Photo Spot
One of the best parts of any family’s Halloween plans is the photos!
Before everyone rushes out the door, set up a quick photo backdrop — nothing fancy, just something cute and festive.
Hang orange or black streamers, tape up paper bats, or drape a simple “Happy Halloween” banner on the wall. It makes for the perfect before-the-fun photo moment (and ensures you actually get a few pictures before chocolate smudges take over).
🧡 Today’s Free Printables
You can grab both of today’s printables in the Holiday Hub:
- Halloween Night Checklist – A simple one-page guide to help finalize your Halloween plans and prep for trick-or-treating or staying in.
- “Please Take 1 or 2 Candy” Signs – Two printable designs (classic and spooky) to display with your candy bowl.
🗓️ Today’s To-Do
☐ Check in on costumes and confirm everyone’s plans for the night
☐ Decide whether you’re trick-or-treating, hosting, or staying home
☐ Plan dinner (pumpkin pizza, mummy dogs, or Mystery Dinner Kit!)
☐ Print your Please Take 1 or 2 Candy sign from the Holiday Hub
☐ Download your Halloween Night Checklist to finalize your Halloween plans
