What Was for Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating?
by: Kiki Coll
Before the candy bag, there was the supper plate.
You could be standing by the door in your costume, practically vibrating with excitement, and Mom would still say, “You’re not going anywhere until you eat something.”
Apparently, three miniature candy bars and a handful of candy corn did not qualify as a balanced meal. We disagreed, of course.
For some families, Halloween supper meant a pot of chili simmering on the stove. For others, it was sloppy joes, tomato soup and grilled cheese, or hot dogs served between last-minute costume adjustments.
Whatever was on the menu, supper had competition. The doorbell was ringing. Someone couldn’t find a shoe. A cardboard mask was already getting uncomfortable. And there was always one child asking, “Can we go NOW?”
A Little Supper Before the Sweets
There’s something comforting about that ordinary meal tucked into an extraordinary evening. Mom wasn’t necessarily making a spooky masterpiece. She was getting everyone fed before the neighborhood adventure began.
You can bring that feeling back with a simple Halloween supper:
- A pot of chili: Set out crackers, shredded cheese, and a ladle so everyone can help themselves.
- Sloppy joes: Have the filling ready, then assemble sandwiches when the family is ready to eat.
- Tomato soup and grilled cheese: A cozy supper for a chilly October evening.
- A favorite casserole: Something familiar that doesn’t demand much attention while you’re helping with costumes.
My advice? Choose a meal your family already likes. Halloween has enough excitement without negotiating over an unfamiliar vegetable.
Keep It Simple, Darling
Set the table earlier in the day. Put out the bowls or plates, gather the napkins, and decide when supper needs to happen. A little planning leaves more time for crooked costume wings, missing hats, and taking pictures before everyone disappears out the door.
A paper pumpkin or an old-fashioned Halloween napkin is plenty of decoration. The memories usually come from the people around the table—and the child trying to eat supper through a costume.
Then comes the familiar announcement:
“All right. Finish your dinner, and you can go.”
Suddenly, everyone knows how to clear a plate.
What did your mom make to eat before you could head out with your candy bag? Was it chili, sandwiches, a quick casserole—or whatever she could get on the table before you escaped?
From my kitchen to yours,
Kiki
Bring a little old-fashioned Halloween fun to your table! Explore my Vintage Halloween Supper & Treats downloadable collection in the A Taste of Nostalgia shop for recipes to feed your little goblins before the candy collecting begins.