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If your family is anything like mine, Halloween is a very fun and exciting time. I mean, what kid doesn’t love getting dressed up as their favorite character, superhero or villain and traipsing around the neighborhood in pursuit of oodles and oodles of candy that their parents will actually let them eat?

This year, of course, things look a whole lot different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Personally, I’m not keen on letting my kiddos pack themselves like sardines into doorways with strangers and stick their hands into bowls of candy that have just been pillaged by possibly hundreds of other little fingers. For sure, the Odens are taking a pass on traditional trick-or-treating this year.

That decision has, of course, left the CEO of Casa Oden (ahem—that’s me) with the task of figuring out precisely how to make Halloween fun and safe for our kids. And after some pondering, research and asking around, I’ve compiled a few great ideas!

So if you’ve been searching for some trick-or-treating alternatives, I got your back, girlfriend. Check out these 3 fun and safe ways to do Halloween this year:

1) Do It Virtually.

Have a costume parade on Zoom or Google Meet with other families. Or do a virtual pumpkin carving contest. You could even have a virtual Halloween party. Share a Halloween cocktail recipe with the other parents ahead of time that you can all enjoy while your kiddos are showing off their costumes and chowing down on candy. (My favorite Halloween cocktail is The Witches’ Brew. Click HERE for the recipe). The best part? You can “get together” with family and friends from other cities and states you wouldn’t ordinarily see on Halloween.

The possibilities with this one are endless! And without a doubt, it is the safest option. Will it be the same? Of course not. But chalk it up as another one of those experiences that makes 2020 extra memorable.

2) Do It from a Distance.

If you still want to get out and trick-or-treat on October 31st, there are ways to reduce your risk. Wearing a mask and keeping at least six feet apart from other trick-or-treaters go without saying. It’s probably also a good idea not to take candy out of bowls or from people’s hands at their doorsteps. The CDC is recommending folks assemble individual bags of candy and leave them out for people to grab. (Side note: that’s also a genius way for you to hand out candy without upping your risk. Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before assembling to keep everyone safe!)

My recommendation would be to only accept candy that is packed in individual bags you can retrieve from the end of a driveway or some other spot that doesn’t require you to get too close to others. And I’d take it a step further at home and put all the candy in quarantine for a few days just in case.

3) Do It Scavenger-Hunt Style.

This fun and safe Halloween option for 2020 is by far my favorite, and the one we’re going with this year. Much like an Easter egg hunt, the kids will grab their baskets—er, Halloween buckets—and search for candy in a designated area in the yard. To add some extra fun, we may even give them a time limit. (I find it delightful to watch my kiddos run around in glee trying to find stuff. Is that just me?). This option does require some visibility, however, so you’ll also need flashlights or to do the hunt before sundown. Alternatively, you could do it indoors. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit!

Momming through a global pandemic has created many challenges, but trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be one of them. I say, let it be easy.

I’m (virtually) raising my Witches’ Brew to you. Cheers to staying safe and healthy this Halloween!

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