Last year our family went on a search for truth as an alternative to Halloween.  We haven't celebrated halloween since we became Christians (almost 5 years ago) and I felt that I really needed the kids to understand why.  I wanted them to have a reason to tell others (in love) if ever asked.  I researched and poured through Scripture.  What I am sharing with you is the outcome of this research. 

My husband and I started out with a typed up proclamation and discussion about our families decision not to celebrate this holiday.  Then we ended with a scavenger hunt for 'truth'.  Here is the discussion that we began with:

As your parents we have, as you know, decided not to participate in celebrating Halloween.  We are going to take some time to tell you why.  We have been instructed by God to lead you in truth.  Jesus tells us that He is... 'the way, the truth and the life.  This means... what?  Should we honor a God who is truth and expects us to live in truth? Why?

{This is the part where we pulled together many examples of joyful, God honoring holidays}

• We celebrate holidays that honor God.  For instance... Christmas is the celebration of prophecy being fulfilled when Jesus came as a baby.  We take time to remember that Jesus chose to come to this earth for a special purpose.  What was the special purpose? In what other way does Christmas bring honor to God?
• We celebrate Thanksgiving to remember the Pilgrims and how God brought them safely to this land and took care of them.  How did God Providentially take care of them that first winter? {Squanto, corn for them to make it through that first winter etc.} This was a day that they set aside to enjoy all that God provided and to thank Him for it.  They wanted to bring honor to God.  They also brought the Indians to join them ~ introducing them to the Almighty God. (What an opportunity for the Gospel~ a main point in them coming to the new world!!!)  This is truly a holiday to honor and thank God isn't it!
• God is love and He wants us to honor Him by loving our neighbor; even loving our enemies!  Valentine's Day is a day to show love to all people that God created.  Jesus was our perfect example of loving those who are hurting, those who are sick, those who are different than us and also those who hate us.  What other ways does this holiday honor God?
• Birthdays are another special day!  We get to celebrate the creation of you.  We celebrate the fact that God made you for a specific purpose.  Does this celebration honor God?
• St. Patrick's Day is an interesting celebration.  This holiday should be focused on forgiving others and sharing the gospel for all who will listen.  Patrick was an example of these two key issues.  He was a boy in Britain who was kidnapped and taken to Ireland.  Six years later God helped him to escape.  He studied the Scriptures and prayed to God.  God placed a desire in him to go back to Ireland and teach the people about God.  So... he went back to the place that he was kidnapped to.  He teaches us an important example of forgiveness.  This day we should focus on forgiving someone who we have not been able to forgive before.  Also, to tell someone the great news of Jesus Christ!  Does this holiday honor God?  Do you have any other ideas on what we could do to honor God for St. Patrick's Day?
• The 4th of July is even a momentous holiday for American's.  Our founding fathers were upon bended knee during this time of fighting for our liberties.  In fact, for three hours these men were devoted to prayer and listening to what God was leading them to do.  After these three hours they knew that God would protect them and help them in their independence over Britain.  We know that God did see them through, even against terrible odds.  Do you remember some of the providential moments in our struggle for freedom?  When we think of all that God did to help us, is this a day to honor God?

So, with this very long list of holidays, we are not without many celebrations during the year.  They are ways that we can praise and thank God.  They are ways to honor and serve Him.  But... Halloween is different.  It began because people in a false religion believed that on this day evil spirits from hell were allowed to leave and torment the earth.  The people would appease or make happy these spirits by leaving food and such things outside their door ~ in order to be left alone.  Does this have anything to do with God?  Is this something God has ever told us to do?  Would this bring honor to God?

That is why we are taking the time to celebrate  good vs. evil / God's power vs. evil power / right vs. wrong / truth vs. lies.  We could go on comparing the good with the evil, but let us begin our search for TRUTH instead.  God told us He is truth.  There is no lie in Him.  His Bible is His Word to us, so we can know truth.  Tonight we are on a hunt for truth.  Let's begin the hunt.  Use this first clue to lead you to true and meaningful treasure.  May you find real truth!  Which is exactly what God wants you to find and follow.

This is the end of our discussion.  You can alter and put in more questions or add/delete what fits your family or what your family focuses on during these holidays.  (In fact this year I am going to add Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day.)  Each year you can focus on different ones or make it an entire evening of remembering all the many times of honoring God and praising Him.  If I get enough response I will come back and give the exciting conclusion... of the 7 clues I gave (all from Scripture) and full of more discussion and leading kids to truth.  The treasure hunt ended with 'adventures in odyssey' audio's some stickers and other things.  I bought the expensive 'treasure' chocolate candies.  I didn't want to help support the marketing of Halloween, so none of that candy was bought.  You can purchase anything that interests your family.  Or make a homemade apple pie as the treasure.  Or 'truth' badges & bookmarks!  Any type of treasure that you see fit.  The great thing is biblically they will know a great truth about why not to celebrate halloween.  By the time my kids leave this home they will know every reason why to follow God's truth and can teach their children also!  That is the greatest treasure for me and I'm sure for God also.

PS ~ I do realize that some holidays were began by pagans and then were changed to honor God.  I know also, that some celebrate 'all saints day'.  That is fine.  We do focus on Martyr studies, but not all saints day.