by Sabrina Garibian posted in Products & Prizes

This is the first year we have a real trick-or-treating home for Halloween. We left the city of Philadelphia two months ago and are just settling in to the suburbs. I can finally realize my very serious Halloween dreams.

My oldest child is only 5 years old, but I feel like I've mastered the art of preventing a Halloween meltdown and ensuring that everyone has a lot of fun -- including the littlest of goblins and Elsas...and chickens.

Here's my strategy:
1. Serve a protein-heavy early dinner for the family to help curb the inevitable sugar crash later on. I usually go for an Armenian standard, chicken and pilaf.
2. Go trick-or-treating early, as early your neighborhood will allow. Take your kids to visit about 10 homes before heading home or to a playground or friend's house for a break. Then continue the fun! 3. Make sure your child is comfortable. Avoid itchy costumes. If your child's costume is itchy, put a layer on underneath. Don't forget a warm hat or gloves if you're in a cold part of the country. These are basic things that are easy to forget in the excitement of the evening.
4. Give babies, toddlers and preschoolers a nap. My kids don't nap much anymore, but on Halloween I do everything in my power to get them to sleep including driving around. We generally like to stay up late and have friends over after the trick-or-treating fun is over. I don't want cranky, overtired, primed-for-a-sugar crash gaggle of kids when ...