Growing up, one of my favorite Halloween activities was going to church. This might seem weird, but hear me out. We always went to the church's Fall Festival or Harvest Festival. This event was the epitome of the Christian version of Halloween. I still remember many of these nights, having fun with friends from Sunday School and walking around the Fellowship Hall in my adorable costume.
What else did we do? I’m glad you asked. Here is your guide to the Christian version of Halloween.
1. Biblical Costumes
There are many options for Biblical costumes. Balaam’s donkey. Jezebel. Doubting Thomas. Bathsheba. (After bathing, with her clothes on.) Want to look like the Holy Ghost? Cut out eye holes in a white sheet and put it over your head.
And if you want to take the more traditional route, there’s Moses. King David. Esther. Adam and Eve—after the fall of humanity, with clothes on. (Have I mentioned clothes before?) The bottom line is that you have seemingly endless characters to choose from 66 books.
2. Trunk-Or-Treat
This is essentially Pimp My Trunk, but no one dares call it that. (With good reason!) Why go door-to-door when you can go car-to-car? Congregants transform their car trunks into creative displays and give out candy.
3. Holy Ghost Puns
The Holy Ghost is the ONLY ghost you need in your life. Enough said.
4. Scripture-Based Candy
True story: I used to get Testamints on a regular basis from a sweet, older man at church. Not only were they minty fresh, but they had a Bible verse inside each one! You never know when you’ll need a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit—and fresh breath.
5. Cake Walks
When the ladies of the church get together to bake cakes, you know it’s going to be good! But here’s a word of advice: avoid the fruitcake. You can thank me later.
6. Face Painting
Did you really go to a Harvest Festival if you came back with an unpainted face? I think not!
7. Games
When I was younger, the games were dynamite! Some of my favorites included the ring toss, bean bag toss, and guessing how many candies were in a jar. There was also darts for kids: you tossed darts at a board that had balloons with candy in them. It was like throwing darts at Satan during spiritual warfare. Kind of.
8. Pumpkin Carving Contest
Before carving a turkey on Thanksgiving, you practice by carving a pumpkin during the Fall Festival. This is basically a competition for dads as the men of the church craft glorious creations out of plain gourds. Bonus points are given to men who can keep their young children away from the carving tools all night.
9. Costume Contest
At the end of the night, everyone gathers around front for the costume contest. Even if there’s a prize, this is mainly for bragging rights. The winner defeats their foes (I mean, brothers and sisters in Christ) in a match of creativity and wit.
The salt that Lot’s wife turned into? Bingo! The whale that ate Jonah? Winner, winner! A stressed dad dressed as Noah, keeping track of little creatures? Someone give that man a prize.
10. Treat Bags
Oh, the wonderful treat bags. As a kid, you loved how much candy you got to take home because it reminded you of the sweet time you had.
Bring on the sugar rush!
