Have you heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project?
I noticed this blue pumpkin in front of Tif and Ed's fireplace and asked her about it.
Our town was known for trying to be inclusive and understanding. I guess that's why our kids liked it so much.
Apparently, you can leave a teal colored pumpkin out on our front stoop so children with allergies would know they could stop by for some non-food toy or fun thing.
I asked Tif if any child did stop by for that sort of safe treat but she said she didn't have anyone ask for it last year. Our little neighborhood was known for being a safe place. There were parents at Halloween who would stop by at the entrance of our little "village" and drop off their children knowing they'd be safe.
We did love our neighborhood back then. It was close knit and you felt your kids would be safe to run around without your watching them every second because so many neighbors would keep an eye out for each other's children.
I wonder what it's like now.
POSTSCRIPT:
A friend just told me that there's also another meaning for a child who is carrying a BLUE pumpkin. The blue pumpkin would signify that the child has an autism spectrum disorder. It would alert people to show some kindness and understanding for a child who might not be able to say, "Trick or Treat" or behave as other children.
We have Teal pumpkin here. And children do ask for it. The person who has organizes it provides the toys.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!
ReplyDeleteIt's new to me.
ReplyDeletegreat idea...Lin Floyd
ReplyDeleteI think most people are hungry to get back to that. Thanks for sharing this. Feel good post and the information! Aloha friend
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the teal pumpkin. I don't have any pumpkins on my porch at all and only have Twix to give out. (because I dislike them and won't eat the leftovers)
ReplyDeleteI have seen teal pumpkins but had no idea that they had that meaning. We have not had many trick or treaters but I will have to find out what to expect in a new home. I did buy Hershey snack size bars on sale but Don has now eaten almost all of them,
ReplyDeleteThe Teal Pumpkin Project is new to me. We sit back off the street on a long driveway on a street without sidewalks, so we no longer even turn on our lights to try to attract trick-or-treaters.
ReplyDeleteThe Teal Pumpkin is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea! Trick or treaters don't bother coming to our condo building; they would have to be buzzed in.
ReplyDeleteOur kids were free range back then . At least my kids were free range. Kids looked out for each other and because they had experience they had a sense when something wasn't good.
ReplyDeleteThe Teal pumpkin has been around awhile. The kid's with allergies usually carry a teal collecting pumpkin too. My Atlanta niece has a son who was allergic to peanuts, now grown up and was given treatments to not be allergic to peanuts. His sister couldn't even open a a jar of peanut butter if he was in the room. My niece says her house is KNOWN for being the one to get cool treats for allergies or special non-food treats so they can still enjoy Trick or Treating. They have one table at the door for regular candy and another for the Teal pumpkin people. We have lots of "Truck or Treat" events a church parking lots or senior facilities. Vendors or members set up their cars with the trunk facing the center of the parking lot, and hand out treats from their trunk. No running between houses at those! Small, safe, established neighborhoods still have real trick or treat, but the parents mostly walk in the street to make sure all is ok. Linda in Kansas, home to good and bad witches, goblins, bats, Toto, and fluffy cows (bison.)
ReplyDeleteI had a child in my classroom who also had a severe allergy to nuts. I had to be super careful to make sure any treats brought in by parents were not given to this child because you just never know. Even a parent thinking they were careful to not put peanut butter on a treat, but used the same knife could send the child to the ER. However, this is the first time I've ever heard of the Blue Pumpkin Project. I do think it's a wonderful idea.
DeleteI read a news article years ago, where a boy kissed his girlfriend after lunch. She had a nut allergy. He had had a peanut butter sandwich at lunch. She died.
DeleteI almost feel like it is safer to hand out little toys at Halloween than candy. We do not have a lot of trick or treaters at our house.
I've never understood why people have to get their shorts in a twist about whether kids say trick or treat or thank you. They're kids. They get excited. If someone comes to my door they get a treat. I don't ask questions or chide, and I think that people who do have forgotten what it is like to be a child.
Kay of Musings: Died after a kiss? Oh my gosh!
DeleteYes! I actually did know about this! Also, I have noticed quite a few blue pumpkins along with the orange ones for sale this year. I can't say that I have noticed them in years past. "Blue Doll" pumpkins are what they are called and I think I really like them! And the teal pumpkins for trick or treaters are such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI no longer buy pumpkins for decoration, it's one expense I can do without. I don't buy candy, either, nor do we leave our porch light on. Our neighborhood has had fewer and fewer trick o treaters and I just got tired of opening the door which allowed cold air in and cats out.
ReplyDeleteThe teal pumpkin is totally new to me but such a good idea. My grandkids are gluten free and that would be so nice for them. We are in Florida now and in a high rise. Halloween is not so big in the building. Truthfully, with the way things are in the world right now, it is a shame, but I wouldn't want to open my door to anyone.
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Hello Judee, it’s so very nice to meet you. My brother lives in a condo and I don’t think they get any trick or treaters either. I do like the idea of the teal pumpkin too.
DeleteWe haven't had trick or treaters for years now, but I always have a few Kind bars on hand, just in case. I eat them regularly. :-)
ReplyDeleteNeighborhoods just aren't the same anymore. Very sad. Change - it has come.
ReplyDeleteTrees not only bring shade and moisture which is why they are urging the people of Lahaina to plant trees or try to save any trees they can when they rebuild keeping the ground cool from the Lahaina heat. We have 16 Kukui trees running along both sides of a stream that runs through our property. Been there forever and so beautiful. Bonny ogg
ReplyDeleteHi Bonny! It's great to hear from you. I do wish we had more trees on Oahu. Wow! 16 kukui nut trees? That's amazing! We're also rooting for the banyan to survive and flourish again.
DeleteThis is very interesting and informative, Kay. I had never seen or heard of this before reading about it here. Thank you for sharing this great information.
ReplyDeleteKay, I’m tickled pink that you visited my blog the other day. Thank you for taking the time to stop by to read my blog post and for sharing your insights in the comments section. Your engagement means the world to me.
I am Margie from Margie's Musings...not Anonymous! I enjoy reading everyone's remarks!
ReplyDeleteAnother initiative is having your hand outs on ground level. There are lots of kids who are disabled and cannot climb steps! It's great how they look after our kidlets.
ReplyDelete