This Halloween, why not skip trick-or-treating and jump on the bandwagon with Trunk-or-Treat? Here’s everything you need to know about this Halloween trend that’s all the rage among both kids and adults!
You’ve gotta keep up with the times – no matter which festival you’re celebrating! For years, trick-or-treating has been a Halloween tradition which most kids look forward to participating in. There was only one drawback – what if you’re an adult who wanted to participate as well? If you’ve always wanted to dress up in your favorite costume and go trick-or-treating in your car, there’s a new trend in town this Halloween – trunk-or-treating!
What is Trunk-or-Treat?
Trunk-or-treat is an alternative to conventional trick-or-treating which involves not just kids but parents and neighbors as well. It involves a group of adults dressing up, their kids, decorating their car with Halloween fixtures, and meeting together at a parking lot. Here, the kids can go from car to car collecting candy while the adults can enjoy some Halloween company for themselves! It is essentially a community-led Halloween tailgating event where folks can participate in Halloween games, eat Halloween-themed food, and admire the Halloween-themed designs on cars!
People take their Trunk-or-treat decorations very seriously – SUVs are transformed into pirate ships, car trunks become mini-theaters, and some folks even set ‘booby traps’ to scare wary passers-by!
Why has Trunk-or-Treat grown in popularity?
Trunk-or-treating is mostly about adults joining in on the Halloween fun along with their kids. However, some parents like to keep an eye on their wards – especially the younger ones. In such situations, most parents would rather not let their children walk around the neighborhood and knock on the doors of unfamiliar people. So instead, they whip out their own trunk-or-treat decorating ideas, deck up their cars, and join in on the fun – a win-win for everyone!
How does Trunk or Treat work?
Unlike conventional trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treat is an event that requires a bit of planning. Usually, one participant’s family acts as the host and starts to collect volunteers a month before Halloween. Usually, the event will be held at an outdoor parking lot within the area. Since most lots have limited parking spaces, spots may be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Other logistics include contacting other parents in the neighborhood, circulating a sign-up sheet for participating kids, and ensuring logistics at the venue.
On the night of the Trunk-or-Treat, cars are assigned spots to line up in – usually to form a defined area within which kids can run around. Some car trunks can even be decorated as monster mouths, through which the children will have to climb to get their candy! Such setups might need several hours of planning. However, in the end, it will all be worthwhile! When the kids arrive, they gather together in groups, go trick-or-treating from car to car and engage in Halloween games, crafts, and other activities.
How can you find Trunk-or-Treat events near you?
Trunk or Treat events will be publicized in your local paper or on school websites. Halloween is a community event – check-in with your local church, elementary school, or community center to find Trunk-or-Treat near you. However, ensure you find out whether it is a ticketed event or open to the general public. Though most Halloween tailgating events are open, some also serve as fundraisers and charity drives for noble causes.
Halloween Trunk or Treat decorating ideas
The fun thing about Halloween tailgating is cooking up scary trunk-or-treat ideas. Everything comes down to how creative you can get – and how outlandish your decorations are. You can even deck up your car as a homage to popular horror movie franchises. Think Halloween, Scream, or even Stranger Things! You can also go for a blast from the past with Scooby-Doo designs!
Here are a few quick trunk-or-treat ideas:Â
- Prop up a skeleton in the driving seat and make it look like it’s waving to people walking by.
- Dress yourself up as the Grim Reaper and invite kids to have a glimpse of your trunk of lost souls.
- Choose a specific theme – monsters, witches, mummies, clowns – and get similarly themed decorations around your car.
- Play scary ambient music on your car’s stereo to set the vibe – we’re thinking the Jaws theme or even Jason’s theme from Friday the 13th!
- String fake cobwebs around your car interiors and set a skull on the dashboard for an ominous entrance!
- Don’t forget to showcase your culinary skills! Set down candies, pumpkin pies, monster wraps, and other Halloween edibles for kids to collect.
Halloween tailgating tips
- Keep a fog machine ready to give your trunk-or-treat setting a spooky vibe.
- Trunk-or-treating can get stressful for adults! Ensure you have lots of food and water for the kids and yourself.
- Wear a blanket or sweater in addition to your costume. October nights can get pretty chilly!
- Ideally, set up your trunk-or-treat spot with the help of a family member or neighbor. Don’t wing it on your own – that can get scary!
- If you’re just visiting the event without being an active participant, make sure to find parking within walking distance.
If you’d like to participate in a Trunk-or-Treat celebration without going through the hassle of parking, ensure you pre-book a parking spot near the event venue. Use a parking service like Way.com or the Way app to find and book easy parking before your next Halloween outing!
Read more blogs on affordable airport parking, the best insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
