2) Double Duty Decorations!
I love the invention of fake carved Halloween pumpkins! Real pumpkins are available in our four season climate at the beginning of October. I decorate with fake stuff indoors and real stuff outdoors. Because we are a busy family like everyone else, I choose to decorate with a base of fall decorations and then add Halloween on top. Once Halloween is over, I remove Halloween and have decorations left for Thanksgiving. This is a huge time saver for me.
With five kids, carving a pumpkin for each was a huge whole evening event. I am really thankful for all the non-carving ideas that are available today. Kids can add on or paint faces on their pumpkins to eliminate the whole carving step. Then after Halloween, simply turn the faces to the back for great Thanksgiving decorations. Our pumpkins and gourds stay fairly fresh outside if they are un-carved with our cool October temps.
Some years I do less and some years I do more by taking into account all the things we have going on. If decorating is not an option, go visit a pumpkin ranch and participate in some of their fall activities. Then, pick out one big pumpkin for the whole family and a little gourd for each child and keep it simple. Time spent together or keeping a bucket of familiar decorations will give kids a sense of traditions no matter what base is home.
