WOULD YOU RATHER...

• Eat apple pie a la mode or pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream?
• Decorate your pumpkin like a pirate or a Disney villain?
• Go to Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland and chat with Disney villains while getting candy or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World and watch the Hocus Pocus stage show?

Caribbean Dream or WALKING Nightmare? | Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Tour 2025

What do The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the real Caribbean islands all have in common? Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!

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MARRIAGE

Hello, Pumpkin!

Trick or treat? Why not both! This month’s marriage tip is all about keeping the season festive and your relationship fun. Here are three fall date night ideas—each with a little trick, a lot of treat, and plenty of laughter. Because honestly, the best dates are the ones where you can be a little silly together.

1. Costumes—Not Optional! (At Home)

Turn dinner at home into a mini costume party for two. Whip up a cozy fall-themed meal—think Autumn Squash Soup, Pumpkin Chili, or anything with “Harvest” in the name—and then head to your costume bin (or get creative with what’s in your closet). Pick out the most ridiculous couple’s combo you can find—pirate and princess, chef and pumpkin, or whatever makes you laugh—and enjoy dinner by candlelight.

Ask each other about your favorite childhood costume, then settle in for a Halloween movie or check out some fun at-home activities from dateyourspouse.com. Bonus points if you stay in costume for the whole evening.

2. Pumpkin Spice Everything (Out on the Town)

Head out for a pumpkin-themed adventure—just the two of you. Grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte or warm apple cider, and make your way to a local pumpkin patch. (No kids allowed this time!)

Pick out a pumpkin for each of you to use for the next date night, get lost together in the corn maze, or check out other local fall happenings—like a farmers market, small-town carnival, or Halloween movie night. Even a drive to look at spooky house decorations can feel magical when it’s just you two and a thermos of cider.

3. Pumpkin Carving Contest (At Home)

It’s time to turn those pumpkins into masterpieces—or disasters, depending on your skill level. Grab your tools, pick your designs, and start carving! Don’t forget to scoop out all the pumpkin guts first.

Play some spooky music, queue up a classic movie in the background, and let the competition begin. Whoever’s pumpkin most closely matches the design wins bragging rights and gets to pick the next activity. Loser? They’re on cleanup duty.

PARENTING

Pumpkin Decorating by Level

Depending on the ages and personality of your kids, pumpkin decorating can get MESSY. I've got tips to help you out!

Step 1: Pick a pumpkin for everyone—whether from a family trip to the patch or a quick store run. Then choose your decorating level below.

LEVEL 1: Stickers (No Mess!)

For the littles—or anyone who prefers their pumpkins and their furniture spotless. Pumpkin face stickers are magical! Toddlers and preschoolers can create their own goofy gourd with just a little help applying the stickers. No carving, no paint, no problem. Amazon has tons of cute sets. Here a LINK.

Level 2: Painting (Some Mess)

Ready to level up? Grab your craft paints, old newspapers, and some paint shirts—it’s about to get colorful. Kids around 2nd grade and up can paint a pumpkin face or go full masterpiece mode. Try turning your pumpkin into Minnie Mouse, a superhero, or a galaxy far, far away.
Pro tip: paint pens make cleanup so much easier. Check out this PUMPKIN CRAFT KIT or PAINT PEN MARKERS on Amazon.

Level 3: Carving (go ALL in!)

The all-time gruesome tradition of removing a pumpkin's guts and stabbing it with a knife. This is going to be for 10 and up (or younger with carving assistance). Although my pumpkins never quite looked like what I imagined, this tradition became one of my favorite memories during Halloween time, which is the goal, right. Pro tip: use gloves when scraping out the inside of the pumpkin. Your hands will thank you. Here's a link for a PUMPKIN CARVING KIT with gloves!

Want to make it extra competitive fun? Host a mini pumpkin competition! Award prizes for “Most Creative,” “Most Disney-Themed,” or “Most Likely to Scare the Dog.”

Our Picks for Family-Friendly Halloween Movies

Every October, our favorite tradition is to have a weekly (or more) movie night where we watch and laugh to some kid-friendly Halloween movies. Here's a list of our top picks including ages, spooky level, and snack idea!

​​​Our Family’s Favorite Halloween Movie Choices.pdf​