So Halloween is over for another year, thank goodness.

Unlike Christmas, when all the preparations are actually worth it because you can string it out over several weeks, if not a full month, I find Halloween rather a pain in the bum because it seems to require a similar amount of effort, but for just one day.

Things no-one warns you about Halloween

We didn’t bother with Halloween when BB was a baby, but by the time she was two it was unavoidable. Nurseries embrace it, baby and toddler groups embrace it, libraries embrace it and then schools embrace it. Not to mention the shops. Basically, there is no escape.

Things no-one warns you about Halloween

1. There’s no getting away from it. If you think you can ignore Halloween and pretend it’s not happening, think again. You might get away with it for the first year or two, but after that I’m afraid you’re just going to have to embrace it.

2. Trick or treating is unavoidable. Once they’re old enough to clock why porches are pumpkinned and doors are decorated, there’s no way you’re staying at home.

3. It’s not all about the kids. Some parents take Halloween really seriously. I’m talking head-to-toe costumes, full-on make-up and props to rival a film set. I felt decidedly underdressed taking BB trick or treating this year.

4. It can get competitive. And I’m not just talking about the costumes. In our neck of the woods the garden makeovers are incredible – graves with fingers sticking out, multi-coloured cobwebs strung from tree to tree and even dry ice special effects. I kid you not.

5. It’s expensive. You think a trip to the pound shop and supermarket for the necessary outfits and accoutrements is the cheapest option, but in fact there’s nothing cheap about it, especially when you consider all this stuff is for just one day and won’t even fit next year. Of course, I could have made the outfits myself, but being a working mum with two kids and a baby on the way the shops is about as far as my imagination and energy will take me at the moment.

6. Trick or treating isn’t for babies. Forget giggling witches and over-excited batmans, so realistic are some costumes they’ll scare the living daylights out of your little one. Little B may quite possibly be scarred for life.

7. You’ll be dealing with over tired and emotional kids for the rest of the week. Once the sugar-rush and excitement has worn off, you’ll know all about it.

Did you celebrate Halloween this year? Do you love it or hate it?

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Diary of an imperfect mum