17 Eye-Opening Halloween Facts!

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine."

Morning Mama! It's Friday! Another week of successful 'momming'. High five! 👋 Halloween's approaching, and as if our kids weren’t scary enough on sugar. Let's gear up, shall we?

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• 17 Halloween Facts 🎃

• Genius fridge childproof hack

• Pumpkin Cheese Ball – drool-worthy!🧀

• DIY Fun: Yarn Mummy Craft

Stylish, comfortable shoes and clothing for the mom on-the-go — Johnston & Murphy

Holiday Hoopla

17 Interesting Halloween Facts

Spooky nights, candy delights, and traditions taking flight; dive into the lesser-known tales of Halloween.

1. Origins of Halloween: Halloween's origins are tied to ancient Celtic festivals, Roman Catholic holidays, and more, with the Celts celebrating Samhain on October 31 when they believed the spiritual and physical worlds collided.

2. Trick-or-Treating for Candy: During World War II's sugar rationing, trick-or-treaters received fruit and toys instead of candy, and there's a potential sugar shortage this year too.

3. Alternative Halloween Celebrations: Some U.S. cities have Beggars’ Night on October 30, where kids tell jokes for treats, while others celebrate Mischief Night with pranks.

4. Fall Celebrations Worldwide: Countries have their own fall celebrations, like Mexico's Dia de los Muertos and Italy's Ognissanti, that revolve around honoring the deceased.

5. Jack-o’-lantern Origins: Jack-o’-lanterns originated from the Irish tale of Stingy Jack and were initially carved from turnips and potatoes before pumpkins became popular in America.

6. Candy Corn History: Candy corn, invented in the 1800s by George Renninger, required labor-intensive methods to produce its three-color appearance.

7. Bobbing for Apples: Originating in Europe, bobbing for apples was a courting ritual to determine soulmates.

8. Halloween Spending: The National Retail Federation predicts a record-breaking $12.2 billion will be spent on Halloween this year.

9. Pumpkin Production: Illinois is the leading pumpkin producer in the U.S.

10. Candy Corn Consumption: 51% of Americans prefer to eat candy corn whole.

11. Pumpkin Carving Record: Stephen Clarke set a world record in 2013 by carving a pumpkin in 16.47 seconds.

12. Top Halloween Candy: Reese’s cups are the most popular Halloween candy in the U.S.

13. Popular Costumes: This year's top costumes will be witches and Spiderman.

14. Jack-o’-lantern Record: Keene, New Hampshire set a record in 2013 with 30,851 lit jack-o’-lanterns.

15. Heaviest Jack-o’-lantern: The record for the heaviest jack-o’-lantern is 2,684 pounds.

16. Pumpkin Classification: Pumpkins are classified as a fruit, and toasted pumpkin seeds are a recommended treat.

17. Silly String Ban: Silly string is prohibited in Hollywood on Halloween, with violators facing a $1,000 fine.

Keep reading here.

Together with Johnston & Murphy

For Moms Who Do It All in Style

Caught in a bubble of baby talk and longing for a dash of sophistication?

Check out Johnston & Murphy!

The stylish, comfortable shoes and clothing are perfect for the mom on-the-go.

From the park to parties, they’ve got you covered. 

My favorite shoes are toddler-tug-proof! 😁 

Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤 

Mom Hack

Use Command Hooks and a Hair Tie to Childproof Your Fridge

Mom Hack

Hey, that hair tie trick from the last newsletter works for fridges too!

Pop a couple of adhesive Command Hooks on your fridge doors, and loop a hair tie through.

It's a nifty way to ensure your little explorer doesn't find their way inside.

Mom’s Menu

Pumpkin Cheese Ball 🎃🧀

Fall is in the air and what better way to embrace it than with a delightful pumpkin-shaped cheese ball?

Not only is it cute as a button, but it's also packed with flavors that’ll have your little ones and guests coming back for more.

Plus, it's the ideal treat to whip up for Halloween parties. Let's dive in!

📝 Ingredients

• 16 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (minced)

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 cup toasted pecan pieces

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Blend the softened cream cheese until it’s velvety. Add in the cheddar, parsley, garlic powder, and salt, giving it a gentle mix.

2. Mold the cheese mix into a ball, wrapping it snugly with plastic wrap.

3. To get those signature pumpkin grooves, tie the cheese ball gently with some kitchen twine or even rubber bands, ensuring they're spaced about an inch apart.

4. Let it chill in the fridge, letting those flavors meld for at least 4 hours (or even overnight if you're prepping ahead).

5. When it's go-time, blitz the pecan pieces in a processor until they're finely ground. Unwrap your cheese ball and gently roll it in the pecan goodness.

6. Top it off with a bell pepper stem for that perfect pumpkin look and serve it up with your favorite crackers or veggies. Enjoy!

📌 Note 

This adorable pumpkin cheese ball isn't just a visual treat; it's packed with flavors that perfectly blend together.

And the best part?

It's a make-ahead recipe, so you can prepare in advance and just assemble when you’re ready to serve.

Perfect for those busy days or when you have last-minute guests.

So, mamas, here's a fun, festive, and flavorful treat to add a touch of fall to your table.

Enjoy and happy fall, y’all! 🍁🍂

Full recipe here.

Daily DIY (Kids Edition)

Yarn Wrapped Mummy Craft

Engage those little hands this season with an adorably spooky yarn-wrapped mummy.

Perfect for strengthening your child's fine motor skills, these make fabulous Halloween decor.

All you need is cardboard, black paint, white yarn, fun googly eyes, and a bit of glue and tape.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

Okay, ladies, let's get real. How many times have you wished for an extra set of hands?

Or maybe just a less achy back at the end of the day?

This thing is like the Swiss Army knife of baby carriers. It's got pockets for everything, and it saves your back. 🙏 

Hip Seat Baby Carrier

Game

Mama Knows Best: True or False?

It's crucial to maintain a strict sleeping schedule for a newborn.
(Answer below)

A) True

B) False

Mom’s Meme 🤣

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Answer

B) False - Newborns don't have a set sleeping schedule and sleep for short periods many times a day.