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Healthy Halloween
Trick or treating and Halloween parties are rife with sweets, cakes and sugar-laden treats. If you fear a cupboard full of these more than the latest horror blockbuster, why not try out our healthy snack and treat alternatives.
Trick or Treat alternatives
Satsumas
Their bright orange colour and natural wrapping make satsumas a perfect substitute for trick or treating. Children learn by mimicking the behaviour of their peers, therefore start the tradition now and in the future satsumas will become the norm. If you would like to theme your fruit, why not draw a spooky face on the Satsuma?
Glow sticks
Glow sticks can be purchased relatively cheaply in bulk and will light up a child’s evening in more ways than one.
Packet of raisins
Raisins have all the sweet taste without the processed sugar. Little boxes of raisins can be bought in multipacks and are a great alternative to sweets.
Stationary and pocket money priced toys
Kids love an eraser, mini tub of bubbles or polystyrene glider plane none of which has a best before date or will result in a toothache. Why not visit your favourite local superstore and look at the options? TGts recommends MBros superstore who hold a wide range of stationary and pocket money priced toys as well as Halloween accessories and costumes.
And remember any leftover purchases can be used as party game prizes or bag fillers.
Healthy party snacks and food
When it comes to party food, we at TGts believe it is all in the presentation. Entice children to eat a healthy alternative with fun arrangements and displays.
1. Crudités and Carved stuffed peppers
We love the idea of arranging crudités into scary faces and skeletons – use your imagination and wide-ranging selection of vegetables. Carve a face into a pepper and stuff with couscous or rice.
2. Spooky Soup
Serve warming tomato/vegetable soup in hollowed pumpkins or merely serve as a spooky alias.
3. Wholemeal pitta bread pizza
Spread pitta bread with tomato puree, add grated cheese and toppings of your choice. Why not cut mozzarella into ghost shapes?
4. Lychees
They are healthy, delicious and look like eyeballs.
6. Homemade smoothies
Blend your favourite fruits for a spooky witch’s brew.
7. Bright water
Brighten water with frozen fruit cubes, a great alternative to sugary soft drinks.
Low-cost Halloween
When it comes to party preparation, it need not be expensive. Especially when preparing for Halloween. Use your imagination and the materials already available to you for both decoration and food preparation.
Here are our top five tips;
1. Check your cupboards before the party food shop
We are all guilty of overbuying when it comes to a party. Stock check first, then make a list of the necessities. Remember first food in should be the first food out.
2. Check your wardrobes
Halloween has an array of possibilities when it comes to costumes. If you are tightening your belt this October and are looking for a low-cost option, look no further than your wardrobe. Old clothes that can be cut up and decorated can be a great source, be creative. For the time poor, MBros superstore offers a great range of Halloween accessories and costumes to complement your wardrobe.
3. Accessorise your party table and low budget ideas
TGts loves the suggestion of a cauliflower in a glass container of red coloured water – a brain in a jar. Why not use carved pumpkins and squashes as serving dishes? Accessorise an old sheet or tablecloth with Halloween images and make your own spooky ghost or bat garlands.
4. Decorating your home
Turn your home into a haunted house with the use of a Haunted Halloween House soundtrack and a few simple accessories. Drape bed sheets over furniture, use webbing or cotton wool for cobwebs and turn the lights down low. Spooky!
5. Halloween parties for adults
When it comes to party planning simplicity is key. If you are low on budget and would like a Halloween get-together. Why not invite a few friends to bring a dish and watch a horror movie? Jump scares are guaranteed when the trick or treaters come knocking!
Alternative Halloween celebrations
Light Party
Light parties began as the Christian response to Halloween and have been growing in popularity as an alternative to the macabre pagan festival.
Pumpkins are ever present however ghoulish costumes are replaced with that of superheroes and princesses. Participants are encouraged to take part in games and eat party food but celebrate the light opposed to the darkness.
Anyone can hold a “Light Party”. All you need is a few friends, some food and lights. Light Parties will also be held across the country on the 31st October for more details, click here.
Don’t lose your head this Halloween, it need not be scarily expensive, calorie clade or traditional. Enjoy your celebrations and most importantly have fun!
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