Teal is my favourite colour. Somewhere between blue, green and aquamarine; it reminds me of swimming in exotic oceans.
Recently though it has gained a much more important meaning. It has come to symbolise inclusion, awareness and safety for food allergies.
We’re ready! #tealpumpkinproject
The Teal pumpkin project started in America and is slowly spreading to the UK. It involves leaving a teal coloured pumpkin outside your house to show that you have non-food treats available.
J painting his teal pumpkin
Halloween, like most holidays and celebrations, is a difficult time for children living with food allergies. Treats are shared, usually sweets and chocolate, and it is tricky for them to safely join in with their friends. J is two and a half this year and much more aware of what his friends are doing and wanting to do the same. The teal pumpkin project means he doesn’t need to be excluded from trick and treating.
Sadly there have been some negative responses to this brilliant project and I wrote last year about how my son is not trying to ruin your Halloween.
J insisted our pumpkin had a smiley face not a scary one!
We have painted our pumpkin, brought our non-food treats and will be happily awaiting any trick or treaters. Even though, living down a long farm track, we really only get people we already know very well!!
However, it is important to spread the word about the teal pumpkin project and the inclusive message that it promotes.
Here a some ideas for non-food Halloween treats. What’s your favourite?
Sharing this post on Honest Mum #brilliantblogposts, Let’s Talk Mommy #sharewithme. The Joy Chaser #sharethejoy
What a lovely idea and so sad that others have had a negative reaction to it! I think it’s a clever way to share a message while still enjoying Halloween and hope you had a great time. Thanks for linking up at #sharethejoy Emma x
Exactly, it’s just another way to celebrate it and make sure everyone can have fun together.
With the rise of conditions due to sugar intake, I think this is a great idea. It’s also my favourite colour too. #sharewithme
Yeah, there are all sorts of reasons why people might not want sweets for Halloween so it makes it inclusive all.
This is a lovely idea! Shame that people had to be negative last year! I also agree that teal is a lovely colour, definitely one of my favourites 🙂
Hope you had a lovely Halloween xx
We did, thanks. My neighbours got safe treats especially for j and are very supportive.
What a Fab idea, I love this. I am fortunate in my children do not have allergies but am aware of friends children that do, I never really thought of providing for the little poppets who can’t eat all the sweets.
I actually run my village social media page on FB and it has a large following, so this is something I will highlight for next year and I will also try to join in with, thank you for bringing it to our attention Sadie
That would be brilliant Sadie, thanks.
I saw about these on Facebook the other day and agree it’s a brilliant idea 🙂
I’m glad the word is spreading!
I’ve been watching the progress of this campaign as I think it’s a fantastic idea – it hasn’t really spread to Ireland yet but I really hope it does. My daughter is nut allergic also and I remember when she was little, some lovely neighbours has bought a cute pencil specially for her so she could have something. I so appreciated that they made the effort to do this!
It’s so great when people Madge an effort to include then isn’t it. I how it spreads to Ireland soon.
It’s so sad people have had a negative reaction to the teal pumpkin project. My little girl has allergies and next year we will be doing to teal pumpkin. She was too young this year and similar to you we live down a very long driveway in a tiny village. We actually didn’t get one trick or treater! x
I know, I really don’t understand some people. No-one it’s stopping them from eating as many sweets as they want! Hope your little one enjoys getting involved next year x
That;s fab idea and it’s such a shame it has had some negative feedback! x
I know but hopefully the support will drown out the negativity.
I’ve heard about this before and I think that it’s a genius idea!
It is, isn’t it!
Fantastic idea! I really hope it becomes more popular here with rise of Halloween in popularity. I’d prefer to make things like cookies on cakes to hand out but would make sure I had an alternative available.this year I’m in a first floor flat so let off the hook slightly!
Yeah we’re let off too down our track really! It would be great to offer homemade treats and non food ones.
What a lovely idea and what lovely photos too! #Love2Blog
Thanks!
That’s such a great idea, goodness knows why this upsets/offends some people! And yes I love teal too 🙂
Hi know, I just don’t understand some people.