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- My family hands out candy — and hot dogs — for Halloween. This year, my husband plans to grill 200 for trick-or-treaters. (businessinsider.com)
Spooky Celebrations and Sizzling Sausages: This Family’s Halloween Has it All!
For many families, the holiday season brings a whirlwind of travel, expectations, and often, a hefty price tag. But for one Florida family, Halloween isn’t just a night for ghosts and goblins – it’s their biggest, most beloved celebration, complete with a grilling guru serving up hot dogs to the entire neighborhood!
Rachel Morgan Cautero, a local mom, shares how she and her husband decided to break free from traditional holiday pressures and carve out their own festive path. Living in Florida with family scattered across states, their early married years were a blur of expensive travel and unmet expectations. So, when kids entered the picture, they made a conscious decision: put a pause on holiday travel and crown Halloween as their family’s ultimate holiday bash.
And a bash it is! Their home transforms with a towering 12-foot skeleton, a flurry of inflatables, and countless pumpkins.
Friends and their children gather for a pre-trick-or-treating pizza feast, but the real star of the show is Rachel’s husband, who has earned the affectionate title of “hot dog man.” This year, he’s preparing to grill a whopping 200 hot dogs for hungry trick-or-treaters and their parents!
So, why Halloween? Rachel explains that choosing a less conventional holiday comes with a host of benefits.
Low Expectations, High Spirits
Unlike holidays that often demand extensive travel and elaborate meals, Halloween offers a relaxed vibe. With kids usually in school, travel expectations are minimal.
Dinner is a casual affair of delivery pizzas, as the little ghouls and superheroes are eager to hit the streets for candy. Decorating is a family affair, with reused favorites and the kids’ own spooky contributions, taking the pressure off any one person.
Budget-Friendly Boo-tifulness
Beyond costumes and candy, Halloween doesn’t carry a significant financial burden for the Cautero family. They stick to a “one costume only” rule, even with multiple Halloween events. Their decor is a clever mix of dollar store finds, Target treasures, and their beloved giant skeleton – a splurge that brings immense joy to both their family and the neighborhood.
Room for New Traditions
Traditional holidays often come with a pre-set menu of activities, leaving little room for new customs. But Halloween provides the perfect canvas for creating unique family rituals.
The “hot dog man” tradition, for instance, is a heartwarming nod to Rachel’s husband’s childhood, where a neighbor did the same. Kids, too excited for a full meal, happily grab a hot dog, and parents appreciate a break from the sugar rush.
While Halloween might not be everyone’s cup of spooky tea, for the Cautero family, embracing this less popular holiday has banished holiday stress and allowed them to forge their own sweet and spooky traditions, proving that sometimes, the best celebrations are the ones you create yourself.