Georgia and South Carolina Lookout for Colored Pumpkins – Here’s Why

It is officially fall, which means Halloween is around the corner. You’ve probably even passed a few houses, with decorations already up, of the spookiest things they could find. One of the main staples of Halloween is pumpkins. Pumpkin patches, Pumpkin Pie, pumpkin as décor, photo props, and much more. You may have even seen some colored pumpkins around.

Most of the time when you think of a pumpkin you think of the color orange.

Colored pumpkins are used around the Halloween holiday to signal a certain message. Let's break down the colored pumpkins you may see this holiday season and what they mean. These pumpkins can be décor at people's houses or it may be the color of the pumpkin bucket that a kid is carrying for their treat.

A blue pumpkin informs others that the child is on the autism spectrum.

A purple pumpkin signifies the awareness of epilepsy. The Purple Pumpkin Project was started back in 2012.

Not only is October the month of Halloween, but it is also breast cancer awareness month. So pink pumpkins correlate with the support of breast cancer. If you see this color pumpkin placed outside of a home it could mean someone in the home is a breast cancer survivor, know someone who is dealing with breast cancer, or even someone currently undergoing treatment.

A teal-colored pumpkin outside of a home could mean that the home is giving allergy-friendly treats. They may even take their handouts beyond treats and offer non-food treats like small toys, pencils, stickers, etc.

This correlates the same with teal-colored buckets, as that may mean that child suffers from food allergies.

October is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Some homes may have white pumpkins outside of their home. Having this pumpkin outside of the home is a way to honor a child lost from miscarriage, stillbirth, or sudden in fact death syndrome.

Keep these colors in mind only only this Halloween season, but future Halloweens as well.

Halloween is the time of year when spookiness takes center stage, and creative costumes rule the streets. It’s also the day of the beloved tradition, trick-or-treating. Whether you're a kid dreaming of a candy jackpot or an adult admiring the neighborhood's costume creativity while handing out treats, it's a highlight of the year.

However, you'll always find that one neighbor who likes to shake things up by handing out something other than candy. It's not always a bad thing, though. Some people do it for a good reason, like considering kids with dietary restrictions. But if you're considering going outside the box, you should avoid certain trick-or-treat handouts.

Let's talk about the Halloween horrors, the stuff no one wants in their trick-or-treat bag. First on the list are those infamous toothbrushes or dental floss packs. Halloween is the one night a year when kids can indulge in a sugar frenzy, and suddenly, you're handed a dental hygiene product. It's like being told to eat your veggies at a birthday party. Then there are the homemade treats. While some homemade goodies can be delicious, receiving unlabeled, homemade treats can make even the bravest trick-or-treater think twice; also, most parent's won't feel comfortable with that and may dispose of them. All of your hard work will go to waste! Safety is paramount on Halloween, and unwrapped or unlabeled edibles can raise concerns.

Another item to avoid is pennies. They're not even worth the trip to the store, and they make you question if you've accidentally stumbled into a time machine back to the 1950s. If you’re going to give out money on Halloween, make it worthwhile if you can swing it. While Halloween is all about surprises, pennies are definitely not the kind of surprises anyone hopes for.

Take a look at some of the worst trick-or-treat handouts for Halloween.

Keychains are handy, but they're not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that's sweet, not stuff for keys they don't have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.

We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It's a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It's like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it's not exactly exciting.

Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they're seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they're exciting/cool enough). Unless, you're giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.

Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren't exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They're hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.

Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don't make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don't really make the cut.

Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that's not Halloween.

Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid's stash of treats, you're basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it's safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?

Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That's just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it's not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it's just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child's candy.

Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don't really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you're trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.