My kids were just expecting to do some trick or treating and wear their spooky costumes but they experienced a full-blown wild day of celebrations when we had Halloween in the Hamptons.
in 2012 we moved here from London in mid-October. Then woosh Hurricane Sandy swept in two days before All Hallow’s Eve. We emerged from a night in a shelter to find trees down and no power. No school for a week. As I wrote about here. So Halloween was a bit of a wash out.
So finally my kids experienced a full blast and full blown – without the wind – version of Halloween in the Hamptons – American style. So here’s my 10 step guide on how to celebrate Halloween in the Hamptons – and probably the same in many other small towns across the US.
Step 1 – Stop classes midday so students can change into costumes.
Step 2 – Block off the main shopping road in town for a school parade
Step 3 – Encourage all local businesses to give away – not sell – candy (sweets) with a Pumpkin Trail
Step 4 – Expect to see pets in Halloween costumes
Step 5 – Don’t be surprised if your kids need frequent stops to rest.
Step 6 – Find out the best place for trick or treating. You know you’ve hit a winner when the road is closed to traffic.
Step 7 – Follow the crowds to the best haunted houses…or driveways.
Step 8 – Look out for hairy strangers.
Step 9 – Sometimes they’re mannequins and sometimes not.
Step 10 – Sort and hide the treats as soon as your kids are asleep.
Luckily my twins were more interested in getting as many treats as possible rather than feasting on them. (And if you want to know why I worry about American candy then read here). I wonder if in the coming years the same scenarios will be seen in the UK as Halloween American style catches on (or is it the opposite as I explained in my post on Halloween in Britain)?
Meanwhile, despite my love of country walks, I’m exhausted and my feet are still aching. All I know is if we have another Halloween in America I’m also going to invest in a post-trick-or-treating foot massage. My kids, though, had a blast.
If you’re in the Hamptons for Halloween with children then head over to East Hampton for trick or treating. Many of the residential roads just near Main Street are closed off to traffic so that families can go safely trick or treating. Also take your kids on a haunted tour of Sag Harbor’s Whaling Museum over Halloween and the weekend.
Happy Halloween in the Hamptons!
I love the insight!! Stopping school at midday?! That image of everyone in the streets reminds me of ET (which we watched last Friday!) – fascinating how much effort everyone goes to for one day!! Or do people leave up their spooky (like too scary for me!) houses for a week or so?!
Really great post! Thanks for linking up to #TheList xxx
Oh this is looking amazing – I wish I could go to US sometime for Halloween, would love to go full out like this 🙂 #thelist
I’m not a fan of Halloween to be honest, but I guess that over in the US it’s very different with families getting on-board to have fun. In the UK I’m always concerned when I see young kids out Trick or Treating alone!!
Great photos as always x
I’m over visiting my sister in Chicago right now and I’m so amazed at all the decorated drive ways and homes. Great post 🙂 #thelist
This looks amazing! My sister has moved to San Francisco and sent me some pictures from the neighbourhood but they are nothing compared with this!
I love Halloween and this is my absolute dream. I might have squealed several times whilst reading this. It’s top of my list – Halloween in the USA, I’ll be there one year. Thank you for making me very happy with these pictures x
I hope you make it over to the US for Halloween! It is quite an amazing day here for kids as everybody takes part in all the festivities.
Sounds like over here too! although I’m the one stuck at home giving out the candy not walking around, although I love seeing all the little ones coming to the door! Fabulous photos honey 😀
Thanks Lou! We had kids coming to our door when we were back but then we had to turn the lights off to make sure our kids would go to sleep!
How impressive and what a treat for the children to leave school early with the whole community participating. The photos are fab and show what a great time everyone had. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
It was a fun day – a bit exhausting for parents but worth it. Thank you for hosting the wonderful Country Kids.
Wow, that looks like a massive celebration, I bet the kids loved it!!
They had a wonderful time! Our local celebrations apparently are very typical over here in the US
Sounds like a serious business. Love the skeletons in the hedges. Fabulous ideas. We don’t trick or treat, but if we did I think I’d introduce the halloween fairy. I hear that if you leave out your sweet haul overnight, she’ll exchange it for a gift. I know my children would go for that. #CountryKids
Oh wow Kriss that must be quite an experience after living in London – I do like the bit where you said about them giving away the candy though.
It was quite an eye opener. Everybody here took it as a normal day while I was probably looking fairly gobsmacked. My kids obviously loved it all!
Sounds and looks amazing! They really do go all out don’t they! Loving the doggy costume!
Very over the top but kids do have fun!
Love your photos! We enjoyed a very similar day 🙂 Great fun, but the mountain of candy… Hmmm 🙂 #CountryKids
My two couldn’t have had more fun! After they went to bed I picked out a very small bag of sweets for each of them, which like you, I ration over the months to come. Also hoping to get some British sweets brought over soon.
Oh my goodness! And there was me thinking that Halloween was getting bigger and bigger over here!! Looks like your kids had a blast!
I was quite surprised what a big deal Halloween was over here in the US but in a way it’s great as kids have such a brilliant time. And like birthday parties they get to take home a bag of treats (except lots lots more)
WOW Kriss this is so so massive, I am not a fan of Halloween over here but it looks like its completely different over there x
It is big over here Jaime but the kids really do have a fab day!