Hello darling,

Welcome back to the blog! As we get closer to Halloween, I felt it was the perfect time to talk about this holiday. Growing up, Halloween was a big deal in most households. However, I remember vividly as a child that my grandma, who is a Catholic Christian, really didn’t like Halloween. There was one particular time when she was around, and we didn’t go out to celebrate because of how strongly she felt about it. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, it was never explained to me exactly why she felt that way. All I knew was that she didn’t like it, and it was supposedly a bad day associated with Satan.

That said, I was a very lukewarm Christian then. So, when I got older, I would still go trick-or-treating, and even in my early 20s, I went to Halloween parties. But over the years, as I’ve grown in my faith and become a parent, my perspective has shifted significantly.

I want to say upfront that this isn’t a judgment on anyone who chooses to celebrate Halloween. I completely understand the fun, nostalgia, and excitement around the holiday. My goal here is simply to share why I’ve decided to step away from Halloween and what that journey has looked like for me.

A New Conviction

For me, deciding not to celebrate Halloween didn’t happen overnight. It started as a subtle feeling of discomfort, a nudge in my spirit that I couldn’t ignore. The more I learned about the origins of Halloween and the spiritual meanings attached to certain traditions, the more I felt convicted to take a step back. As Christians, I believe that everything we do has a spiritual impact, even if we don’t always realise it at first.

Protecting Our Hearts and Minds

Halloween is often portrayed as innocent fun, especially for children. But as I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve come to realise that there’s more to it than meets the eye. Many Halloween traditions, from costumes to decorations, celebrate fear and darkness, things that I’m trying to steer my family away from. I don’t want to normalise images of the supernatural for my daughter, because I believe these things can influence how she perceives the world.

For me, it’s not just about keeping my daughter away from “scary” things; it’s about creating a heart and mind that is focused on God’s goodness. When I look at the world through a biblical lens, I want to ensure that the messages I’m sending are ones of love, truth, and light, rather than fear or darkness.

The Role of Community

One of the challenges of stepping away from Halloween is feeling a bit like the odd one out, especially when many families and friends around us are celebrating. I get it, Halloween is everywhere, and it can be tough to go against the norm. But I’m thankful for a community of like-minded believers who understand this journey and are willing to stand alongside me. Having this support has made it easier to stand firm in this conviction without feeling isolated.

Creating New Traditions

Instead of Halloween, I’m focused on building other traditions that are just as fun but align more closely with our faith. For example, we might have a “Fall Fun Day” with activities like pumpkin carving, baking, and watching family-friendly movies. I want to make sure that my child has wonderful memories to look back on, even if they’re different from the typical Halloween experience.

Respecting Each Other’s Convictions

I know this topic can be polarizing, and I want to emphasise that this is just my personal conviction. If you or your family celebrate Halloween, I respect your choice! We each have to seek God and follow where He leads us individually. I’m sharing my thoughts because I believe it’s important to have open conversations about these kinds of topics, and I’d love to hear your perspective too.

So, to those of you who feel similarly, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to make choices that might seem countercultural, and it’s okay to step back from something when you feel God prompting you to. I truly believe that in following our convictions, we grow closer to Him and learn to trust His guidance more each day.

Thank you for letting me share my heart on this. Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, let’s keep the conversation going and support one another on our faith journeys!

Sending blessings to you!

Scherise. X