Assisted Living Locators’ Post

Here are the 3 things we learned from putting on a haunted house at Halloween each year for the neighborhood (and friends and family) when the kids were younger.... 1. Decorations are expensive: so you slowly add each year and throw in some ingenuity (like my husband created a board that when stepped on would point a loud blast of air at them from his air compressor) 2. You can scale up to more scary as they get older: we started with strobe lights and a giant spider and ended with hanging body bags, chainsaws, doors that slammed shut with no handle so you couldn't escape and hanging corn stalks - we hit all of the senses on that one. 3. End on a high note: we had live actors in our last haunted house and it was epic! (Pic: husband has the chain saw and son as the scary clown - wolf is a neighbor kid and scarecrow with teeth was a neighbor dad) Here are the 3 gifts we never expected when we started it: 1. Creative/bonding time with the kids to dream up each year's haunted house 2. Neighborhood kids (and parents) disappointed when we stopped putting them on (people who moved away would come back to the 'hood' to check it out) 3. It was expensive, took a lot of time, so it would have been easy to talk ourselves out of it. But it's one of the most memorable traditions we had. What are some fun Halloween traditions you have created? #halloween #traditions #family

On Halloween, you get to wear a real mask, a comic one, an obvious one, and not just the emotional one most of us put on for other holidays. If we agree to define major holidays by the following criteria—1. How many decorations are bought by households of all social strata; 2. how many unusual food items are consumed; and 3. how many non-immediate-family members must be dealt with in a friendly manner—it becomes obvious that Halloween wins on all counts. #halloween #Halloweenquotes #whyHalloweenisbest #halloweenholiday #halloweenfun #whyloveHalloween #funnyHalloween https://lnkd.in/evzDjvBD

🎃👻 Happy Halloween! 👻🎃 Get ready for a spooktacular day filled with costumes, treats, and eerie fun! Whether you’re trick-or-treating, attending a haunted house, or just enjoying some festive decorations, let’s make this Halloween a memorable one! 🕸️ How to Celebrate: 1. Dress Up: Show off your creative costumes and transform into your favorite characters! 2. Indulge in Treats: Savor delicious candies, spooky snacks, and festive drinks. 3. Decorate Your Space: Bring out the ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins to set the perfect Halloween mood. Share your Halloween photos, costume ideas, or favorite tricks and treats in the comments below. Let’s embrace the spooky spirit and make this Halloween a frightfully good time! 🎃🦇 #HappyHalloween #TrickOrTreat #SpookySeason #HalloweenFun #TCNA

How are North Carolinians spending their Halloween holiday? Here we are on #halloween (10/31) and the NC-focused #hpupoll has some information about what NC residents say they are doing to celebrate the holiday. About half of people say they will watch a scary movie (54%), display Halloween decorations at home (49%), or pass out candy to trick or treaters (49%). Some other traditions are popular, too. About a third of NC adults say they will carve a pumpkin (41%), wear a costume (33%), dress their kids in costumes (31%), or take children trick or treating (31%). Fewer folks are planning to attend a Halloween party (27%), dress up a pet in a costume (23%), or pass out healthy snacks to trick or treaters (20%). See attached. Or see our release with more findings: https://lnkd.in/epFWbXEq Or look at all the findings from this particular poll on our #hpupoll page: https://lnkd.in/dhZDE5WC Stay safe and healthy this evening, everyone.

What’s one of the spookiest things about Halloween? The costs. Halloween spending hit an all-time high in 2023 of $12.2 billion, according to the National Retail Foundation, with the average household spending $108.24. That’s up from the $10.6 billion spent in 2022. On the surface, costs may not seem daunting—but between costumes, decorations, greeting cards, and the bags of candy doled out to fairy princesses, superheroes and zombies, Halloween financial expenses can start to look a little scary. With just a few cost-cutting measures and some effective budgeting techniques, avoid getting tricked into overspending and have a ghoulishly great time with your family this Halloween. https://hubs.la/Q02S9cGY0

As Halloween approaches, many of us are getting into the festive spirit – from carving pumpkins to planning costumes, it’s a day that brings a lot of joy and laughter. But while it’s fun for some, we also recognise that Halloween isn’t an easy day for everyone, especially older or more vulnerable members of our communities. For some, Halloween can bring feelings of unease or isolation, especially when routines are disrupted, or the noise and excitement feel overwhelming. It’s a reminder of how important it is to be mindful of others' experiences and to find ways to be inclusive, even during the fun. Here are a few simple things we can all do: Respect Boundaries – Not everyone is comfortable with Halloween activities. Giving people the option to participate – or not – is so important. Offer Companionship – If you know someone who may feel isolated or uneasy on Halloween, consider checking in with them or offering to spend time together. Sometimes, a small gesture makes all the difference. Be Mindful of Noise – Loud knocks or unexpected noises can be unsettling for some people. A bit of extra awareness can go a long way in keeping the evening pleasant for all. At Unique IQ we believe in celebrating Halloween with empathy and inclusivity – keeping in mind that a little consideration can help make this time of year enjoyable for everyone. Wishing you all a safe and thoughtful Halloween! 🕸️🧡 #Halloween #InclusiveCare #UniqueIQ #CommunitySupport #MindfulCelebration

🎃👻 Happy Halloween👻🎃 So, who's dressing up today? 🙋♀️ Let’s see those costumes! Whether you’re dressing up for your kids, the office, or just to join in the fun, share your photos below! 📸✨ I’ll be honest, I’m a bit of a Halloween scaredy cat! fact about me, I absolutely hate clowns 🤡 (seriously, they give me the creeps), yet my youngest child is a Halloween superfan! 🦸♂️ Tonight, I'm hosting a Halloween party for him, because what better way to face my fears than surrounded by tiny monsters?! 🧛♀️🧟♂️ Send help! 😂 And while we’re at it, let’s take a moment to appreciate our unsung heroes, the MSPs! Here’s why they’re the ultimate Halloween sidekicks: 24/7 Monitoring: Like the best haunted houses, they’re always on alert for any unexpected surprises! 👀🔍 Proactive Solutions: They don’t wait for problems to knock; they ward off the tricks before they happen! ⚡🎃 Cost-Effective: Why blow your budget on candy when you can invest in an affordable IT strategy that keeps your business running smoothly? 🍬💸 So let’s celebrate both the spooky and the savvy this Halloween! Have a great (and safe) spooky day! 🎉 #Halloween #CostumeParty #MSP #TechHeroes #SpookySeason #ParentingStruggles #ShareYourCostumes #Pronetic

For some, Halloween's spooky decorations and eerie themes can cause anxiety. If the holiday makes you or your children feel uneasy, that's okay! Acknowledging those feelings is the first step. 💡 Tip: Reframe scary decorations as "pretend" and focus on fun activities like costume-making or pumpkin carving. You’re in control of how you celebrate! #HalloweenAnxiety #MentalWellness #PositiveMindset #WellviewCounseling

🎃It is Halloween this week and, if you are new to our country and used to a grand autumnal Halloween celebration, experiencing it in New Zealand might feel puzzling at first! The fact it takes place in spring can take some getting used to, especially as pumpkins and traditional autumn decorations feel out of place among blooming spring flowers. While Halloween is growing in popularity due to American influence, it has its own unique quirks in Aotearoa. ➡️Halloween enthusiasm differs widely by location. Some neighbourhoods embrace it with decorations, while others may not celebrate at all. Check with locals to gauge what to expect in your area. ➡️Unlike in other countries, Kiwis typically put up decorations on Halloween day and take them down the next morning, focusing on a fun, fleeting evening rather than long-term displays. ➡️Costumes tend to be practical and reused year after year. Families often have staple costumes passed down or get creative with items they already have. ➡️One major difference is the absence of pumpkin carving, so you won't see many jack-o'-lanterns on doorsteps.

With #Halloween right around the corner, here are a few tips and tricks to make your celebration a little more inclusive and sensory-friendly: -Chat with your kids in advance about what to expect on Halloween. Explain how trick-or-treating works, discuss the many sights and sounds, or find a Halloween-themed children’s book to help them get comfortable. -Check your kids’ candy hauls and remove any that may have unpleasant textures or that may trigger food sensitivities. -Have everyone try on their costumes in advance. We don’t want any scratchy tags or irritating fabrics getting in the way of the fun! We hope you and all of our #ShootingStars have a spook-tastic Halloween. #ShootingStarFoundation #EarlyInterventionMatters #SupportChildDevelopment #BuildingBrightFutures #SensoryFriendly