Halloween 2019

This was our first Halloween to be celebrated in Berlin.

{Carving pumpkins}

Last year, Halloween fell over Fall break, the week we spent in Crete.

{We were in Crete during Halloween last year}

Where they didn’t celebrate Halloween. Which was super disappointing to the boys, as Halloween is their absolute favorite holiday. Something they have celebrated since they were babies.

So it was especially important for this year to be epic. In a Berlin sort of way.

{Halloween parade in our old neighborhood in the States}

You see, we used to live in a VERY tight knit little community back in the States that celebrated Halloween in a BIG way. Houses were decorated to the extreme. We used to get hundreds of trick or treaters. And our ‘hood would hold its own parade with police escort through the neighborhood and up in the cul de sac where we feasted on candy and pizza over an outdoor movie.

{2017 Halloween celebrated in Decatur}

Needless to say, we tried to make it extra special this year.

To kick things off, Isaac and three of his classmates met up for a pre-Halloween bowling party the weekend beforehand to celebrate with candy and costumes.

{Isaac (mummy) and his classmates had a scary bowling play date}

Next, the boys’ school welcomed the kids to dress up on Halloween day.

{Ben’s new look}

{Morning commute on Halloween day}

While walking home that afternoon, we stumbled across free ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s, where they were playing Hotel Transylvania in German.

{Free cones and a movie at Ben & Jerry’s}

Next, a group of neighbors met in the Hof (courtyard) and trick or treated in the surrounding apartments. It was an amazing mix of children of all ages coming together to collect as much candy as they could.

{Apartment trick or treating – a first for the boys}

Ben then went to a friend’s house for a party, while Isaac stayed with Dave and I and handed out candy at our door.

{Mummy Pigs-in-a-Blanket at Felix’s Halloween party}

{Trick or treaters at our door in Berlin}

The group of neighborhood kids then formed a little pack and went up and down Kastanienallee (Chestnut Avenue) to various businesses hoping for treats. They were in luck. They scored candy, packs of gum and even fish wafers from a Thai restaurant. Ha! The adults were tempted to ask them to request beers for us at the Spätkaufs (convenience stores), as open containers are allowed in Berlin.

{Isaac visiting restaurants, hotels, pharmacies and convenience stories along Kastanienallee}

{Isaac and his loot}

Needless the say, the night and holiday were redeemed. Thank goodness!