LexTalk

31 Days of October: A Photo + Writing Challenge

Today’s Photo Prompt: Carved Pumpkin

Today’s Writing Prompt: What’s a Halloween tradition you hope your family remembers years from now?

There’s something magical about Halloween.

Maybe it’s the decorations, the costumes, the spooky movies, or the excitement that seems to fill the air as October rolls around.

But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that some of the best parts of Halloween aren’t necessarily the candy or the costumes themselves.

It’s the memories we make along the way.

And now, as a stepmom, I find myself hoping that the little traditions we’re creating today will become some of the memories the kids cherish when they’re older.

Carving Pumpkins Together

I hope that years from now, when the kids are grown and carving pumpkins with families of their own, they’ll remember carving pumpkins with us.

The excitement of picking out a pumpkin. Deciding what face to carve. Scooping out all those slimy pumpkin guts. Watching an ordinary pumpkin turn into something completely unique.

It’s such a simple activity, but that’s what makes it special.

It’s time spent together.

And maybe one day, they’ll find themselves doing the exact same thing with their own children, remembering how we used to do it.

Halloween Movie Nights

Another tradition I hope they remember is watching Halloween movies together.

There’s something so cozy about settling in for a spooky movie, especially when the house is decorated for the season.

The blankets, the snacks, the laughter, and maybe even a few jump scares!

I hope that someday, when they turn on a Halloween movie, it reminds them of being home with us.

Maybe they’ll even have a favorite movie that becomes a tradition in their own homes.

Dressing Up as a Family

And then there’s dressing up!

I love the idea of Halloween being something we can all participate in, regardless of age.

There’s something wonderful about letting go of the seriousness of everyday life and having a little fun together.

I hope the kids remember the times we dressed up as a family, laughed at our costumes, and embraced the silliness and magic of the holiday.

Because one day, they might be too old or too busy to want to dress up with us anymore. SPOILER ALERT- We have already hit that part of life unfortunately.

And that’s okay. Growing up is part of life.

But I hope the memories stick around.

It’s Not Really About Halloween

The older I get, the more I realize that traditions aren’t necessarily about doing something extravagant.

They’re about creating moments that feel familiar, comforting, and special.

As a stepmom, I know I can’t control which memories the kids will hold onto.

But I can help create them.

I can decorate the house, plan the activities, turn on the Halloween movies, and encourage everyone to participate.

I can make the effort.

And hopefully, years from now, when they’re adults with their own lives and traditions, they’ll look back and remember that Halloween was something we celebrated together.

Not because everything was perfect.

Not because we did anything particularly fancy.

But because we made time for one another.

And if they someday carve pumpkins, watch Halloween movies, or dress up with their own families because those traditions remind them of home, then I’ll know that a little bit of the magic we created together lived on.

A Little Halloween Thought

Sometimes we don’t realize we’re creating a childhood memory until years later.

So carve the pumpkins. Put on the costumes. Watch the movies. Take the pictures.

Even when life gets busy.

Because the little moments we’re living today might become the traditions someone treasures tomorrow.

Until next time, keep finding the magic in the everyday.

— LexTalk

Let’s Chat!

What’s one Halloween tradition from your childhood that you still remember? And is there a tradition you’re hoping to pass down to the next generation?