What are your Halloween plans?

Have you noticed?  The Halloween costumes are starting to hit the shelves of Wal-Mart, Target and of course Party CIty.  Kids are beginning to contemplate the identity they will take on Sunday night, October 31st.  Halloween is already right around the corner!  This is good news because we are all looking forward to the promise of cooler weather (yes!), but more importantly we look forward to our neighbors being willing to come outside so we can connect with them.  It's time for CCV Neighborhoods to start planning for Halloween!  There is no better time to start creating community than Halloween. This is the one time of the year that our neighbors will come to us.  How do we take this opportunity to get to know them?  Here are a few things to ask yourself as you plan:

What can we do that will allow time to talk with neighbors and get to know them a bit?  Here are some ideas from previous years:

• Have a pre trick-or-treat BBQ for your street - get flyers out 1 week prior.
• Have a treat instead of giving candy - what about making s'mores or cotton candy - this will allow for a few minutes to talk while they wait for their treat.
• Block off an area for bouncy houses or interactive games for the kids to play and the parents to hang out together - this will work well if you live near a cul-de-sac.
• Put together a pre or post trick-or-treat movie on your garage door - get flyers out 1 week prior.
• Hand out flyers with your candy to advertise a BBQ the week following Halloween.

How can we keep in contact with our neighbors after Halloween?  What is our follow-up plan?

• Invite a few of the people you met on Halloween night over for a small BBQ at your place.
• Set up a Monday Night Football or UFC viewing night or a monthly movie or game night.  Doing these as a potluck or BBQ is a great idea.
• What did you learn about them?  What do they like to do?  Make a plan to do it with them!

So let's hear from all of you . . . what are your plans for Halloween? 

Please take a moment to send your ideas via the comments section below.  We want to hear what you are planning and post your great ideas for the rest of our CCV Neighborhoods.   Let's get planning!