How to create a trunk or treat event

Trunk or Treat is a Halloween event that is often church or community-sponsored. People gather and park their cars in a large parking lot. They open their trunks or the backs of their vehicles and decorate them. Then they pass out candy from their trunks. The event provides a safe family environment for trick or treaters. This event normally draws a large number of kids from outside the church who’s parents are looking for a safe place for their kids to trick or treat.  Many churches provide some information about their church and present the Gospel.  Memory Cross cards are a favorite choice to use.

The them of the Halloween candy card is “What can be better than free candy?  The card then goes on to present the Gospel and provides a place where your church can invite them to come visit and find out more next Sunday.

When it comes to decorating your vehicle there are the obvious choices, like decorating for Halloween, using pumpkins, spider webbing, spiders, brooms, bats, cauldrons or fun stuff like the 50’s themes or cartoon characters.

If your church has the facilities consider including a hot dog or hamburger cook out, homemade ice cream, hay ride or some other activities.  These will not only draw more people in but provide more opportunities to draw people together.

Now that you have the idea for your trunk or treat it’s time to start thinking about how to promote it.  This will vary depending on where you live but here are a few ideas:

1. Public Service announcements – Most papers and radio stations air public service announcements.  Plan on getting them in 30 days before your event.
2. Flyers handed out to local daycares and sent home with parents who have children in your church.
3. Posters put up at local stores.
4. Newspaper advertisements
5. Get church members to help spread the word
6. Signage out in front of the church.

I’m sure there are more but if you do these things you’ll get a crowd.  What a wonderful way to be able to reach out to your community.  If you you have any other ideas that you want to add post them here.

If you are looking for a creative way to share the Gospel at Halloween then try “What could be better than Free Candy” Memory Cross card.  It makes a great trunk or treat gift.

Here is what Dawn Massa of Lightly Salted Graphics said:

This year, instead of getting myself all worked up over the idea that Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, I decided to take the “if ya can’t beat it, use it to your advantage” approach.  My 6-year old went to school as “Bibleman,”  I put pumpkins on my front lawn that spelled out the words “FEAR NOT,” and I ordered a few packs of your Memory Cross tracts to give out with the candy.

Walking home from my son’s elementary school, we always pass crowds of kids going in the opposite direction from the middle and high schools.  I took a pack of your tracks with me (and some candy) and offered both treats to every kid we passed.  The kids thought the tracts were TOTALLY COOL.  Only one problem… I ran out before I got half way home!

The same thing happened with the trick or treaters that rang my bell… the second pack was gone in less than an hour.  It broke my heart that I had the opportunity, but not the resources. Next year, I plan on ordering a LOT more.  (If you’re having an “After Halloween Sale” please let me know.)

Thanks for a truly unique tool to share the good news!