RS Vacations – Big Bear Lake, CA

I Love Halloween. Its not all about the candy like it was when I was a kid. Now its about the decorating. And pumpkin carving. And costumes. Okay, I basically love everything about it. 🙂 Even before my husband and I had our son, we carved pumpkins, decorated inside and out and basically just enjoyed this silly, gruesome holiday. Every year I look forward to October 1st, when it becomes ‘politically correct’ for me to decorate for Halloween. Over the years, our decorating style has evolved from gory and gruesome to fall-like cutesy and finally this year thanks to Pinterest and the dollar store, classic and subtly creepy.

Pumpkin carving is a serious business in our house. Every year on October 30th, My husband, son and I along with 8-10 of our closest family members get together for a pumpkin carving party. We have a potluck of creepy food and drinks, everyone has a cleaned-out pumpkin and the artistry begins. There are no triangle eyes or big square teeth allowed here. We end up with a fabulous collection of intricately carved masterpieces that when finished are lit, and we ohh and ahh over our mad skills. It is a wonderful, fun evening spent with family. A tradition now for 18 years.

The thing about Halloween in Big Bear is this: Its cold. Sometimes freezing! I remember as a kid trick or treating through our neighborhood with a coat, hat, mittens and snow boots over my carefully planned Rageddy-Ann costume. It was also very dark due to lack of street lights and so many weekend homes. These days though, most people trick-or-treat in Big Bear Lake Village. It is nicely lit with streetlamps, the Village merchants hand out candy, and there are even hot chocolate and coffee stands around to warm you up. It is fun to take your kids with a group of friends and spend the evening socializing while they fill their pillowcases.

Decorating your home and celebrating holidays (even the silly ones) with family and friends brings joy and happiness. It helps to take our minds off everyday stresses and invites those who visit your home to do the same. I hope you have a fun and creepy Halloween this year! BOO!!