If you hurry, get this all ready and in the mail by this afternoon or tomorrow, chances are that it could arrive in time for Halloween. (Halloween is next Wednesday, folks. How it's the end of October already, well, I haven't a clue.) But you need to read this, quickly, and then get your rear in gear! Let's go!

Kids like candy, right? I know I did as a child. (Though, not as much now. I wonder why that changed?) If your child's family celebrates Halloween and they are allowed to eat candy, take advantage of this super-easy gift giving tradition. You can go about it in many different ways. If you're needing help getting started, here's a list of things to purchase and/or consider.

1. Go to the store. Buy one of those plastic pumpkins. If this is the second or third year that you have participated in this kind of tradition, either buy some "different" kind of candy holder (a cat bag, a witch's hat) or ask that your child's parents mail back the pumpkin shortly after Halloween each year so that you can use the same one each time! Jazz it up with some ribbons or bows this year. Spooky ones, of course.

2. Buy some candy. I would encourage you not to buy "open" candy. As our family is pretty safe thanks to my fire/paramedic husband, I can tell you that we don't eat open candies from Halloween excursions, except, maybe, from Grandma. Since you're mailing this package you don't want the candy to either melt or be tampered with by someone else. So, get stuff in bags. Buy a few different varieties, of course, as kids like to pick and choose. If you want to get really sentimental, like me, buy some of your own favorite candy as well as candy that you think or know that your child likes. (And maybe something that your kid's parents enjoy, too! Because that's a perk of being a parent on Halloween! Free candy!)

3. Consider adding something else to the bucket/basket/bag that is age appropriate for the season. A Halloween or fall themed shirt, for example, would make a nice addition. Books on autumn or Halloween are also great choices. I know, for a fact, that if you walk down the Halloween aisle at your favorite local super store, you can find various stickers, stuffed animals and little trinkets. Consider buying a few affordable ones and sticking them in as well.

4. Don't forget the card! Hallmark has some really cute cards for kids on Halloween. If you want to drive your child's parents nuts, buy one with sound like my parents did for Nick! Oh, the joy!! (Yes, the previous sentence was said with sarcasm.)

5. Box it up. Get it in the mail. Now! Go!

Those who are more creative (have already sent theirs, haven't they) may have other ideas as well. When it comes to candy, be sure to ask, ahead of time, anything that your child or any of their siblings cannot eat. Be aware of allergies, especially peanuts, within the family. This may cause you to read the labels on candy that you otherwise never would have questioned. But hey, it will be a learning experience for you to learn what candies are potentially invaded with peanut products and other allergens!

An important note: If your child has other siblings in the household, it would be considerate of you to send them something, usually of equal value and time spent creating.

And, just for fun, put stickers on the outside of the box! (By the way, teens, college students and adult adoptees might still really dig a box of candy. I know I would!)

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For more on Creating Traditions, read:

1. Opposing Football Teams.

2. Costume Sharing.

3. Pumpkin Time.

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Photo Credit.