Yes, you read that right! I called this a get-together and not a dinner party because it’s just so darn easy that I think it removes itself entirely from anything fancy enough to be Pinterest-worthy.
I loved the years of trick or treating with our three boys when they were adorable littles and still willing to let me dress them like Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo the Elephant. We also had the year of the duck, a newborn Dallas Cowboys player, and Davy Crockett. And I loved… loved… loved them all.
Then they grew up enough to be able to remove said costumes and/or argue the cuteness of being dressed as a Disney character. They also grew up enough to want to trick or treat with friends – and that’s when I started a new Walters tradition: An annual Halloween dinner at our house for them and however many of their closest friends and their families.
I know how hard it is to get everyone home from school, fed, and in costume in a time reasonable enough to still consider Halloween any fun. And most times as the kids get older, teachers don’t consider Halloween a homework-free holiday. So there’s that.
I decided to start making things easy easier for us all when our house became home base to start the trick or treating. Guests would provide the drinks, chips and paper bowls and plates and I promised to pull out the crock pot and make soup with sandwiches.
The fun part for the kids was getting to see each other’s costumes and spend what seemed hours going door to door. At the end of the night, the annual candy trade held in my living room floor– they’d all look through their stash and swap for their favorites. The fun part for the moms was not having to cook, and more years than not, getting to stay home and visit while the dads took care of the trick or treating. Then, as the kids got older, they could go out on their own around our neighborhood and used our house as home base to check in with the parents.
My kids have outgrown trick or treating now. But they still enjoy inviting friends over for that night. I love that I unintentionally started one of our favorite annual traditions.
If you’re looking to start your own Halloween tradition, I invite you to use the same Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup recipe I always use. Enjoy!
Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds new potatoes, peeled and cut 1/4 inch thick slices
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 (14 oz.) cans chicken broth and one large carton
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pint half-and-half
Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, green onion slices
Instructions:
- Layer sliced potatoes in a lightly greased or lines 6-quart slow cooker; top with chopped onion.
- Stir together broth, salt, and pepper; pour over potatoes and onion. (Broth will not completely cover potatoes and onion.)
- Cover and cook HIGH 3-5 hours or until potatoes are tender.
- Mash mixture with a potato masher; stir in half-and-half.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 20 more minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated.
- Ladle into bowls and serve with desired toppings.
