For “Relatable” podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey, a compelling reason to open the door on Halloween comes from her mom: candy with a little Scripture attached.
“This is like the easiest evangelism opportunity possible,” Stuckey said in her Halloween episode released Oct. 19.
In Stuckey’s telling, her mother prints Bible verses, including John 3:16, on little pieces of paper and attaches them to candy or tucks them into plastic bags. The treats give visiting children something sweet; the verses give their families something else to take home.
“She’ll talk to the families that come. She’ll share the gospel with them. She’ll show kindness to them,” she explained.
That welcome did not mean anything went in Stuckey’s childhood home, she recalled. Her mother allowed trick-or-treating but ruled out witch costumes and anything scary, decorated for fall rather than Halloween and did not allow scary movies.
Now, Stuckey favors adding an outward-looking purpose to the candy and lighthearted costumes she considers acceptable. Rather than simply deciding which parts of Halloween to avoid, she encourages families who participate to consider whom they might reach.
Related: How Commentator Allie Beth Stuckey Forms Biblical Perspectives on Hot-Button Topics
Her mother’s efforts extend beyond the candy bags, according to Stuckey. She described small lawn banners combining seasonal designs with Scripture, including an owl-themed sign carrying a message about calling on the Lord for salvation.
The appeal is practical: families arrive at the house, and her mother has something ready to share. Stuckey credited that example with showing her how a night of neighborhood visits can become an occasion to talk about Jesus.
A Desiring God essay on Halloween makes a similar case for using the occasion to share the gospel with children and neighbors.
Stuckey makes room for the parent who reaches a different decision, too. She treats Halloween participation as a matter of Christian liberty, not a test of salvation, and explicitly affirms sitting it out.
“I believe that abstaining from Halloween in all of its traditional celebrations is a totally valid option,” she emphasized.
For Stuckey, Romans 14’s discussion of food, days and honoring the Lord makes room for differing convictions. She applied that principle to the Halloween decision.
Even while describing her mother’s outreach, Stuckey acknowledged that some Christians already share the gospel actively and believe Halloween participation would cause confusion. She called their decision to abstain fair before extending an invitation to those looking for a way to start a conversation.
“But if you’re looking for an opportunity to talk to the people who live around you about the gospel, I think that this is a really good one,” she encouraged.
For families interested in Scripture signs, her suggestions include Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 5:8 and Psalm 139:14. She also offers a fall-themed alternative for anyone who does not want Halloween-style decorations.
Her mother’s example leaves room for both a welcoming conversation and clear family boundaries. And Stuckey asked Christians to bring kindness to their disagreements about the night, too: “Let’s get into Halloween with Christian love and charity.”
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