thoughtful pinch

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Knock Knock

Barb Pellicer Paton

I love the meme that is going around social media these days that says: “Anyone else feel like Halloween is unnecessary this year? I’ve been wearing a mask and eating candy for 7 months now, I don’t think I need a day dedicated to it anymore...” We all know what Halloween is about. Candy, candy, candy, right? Maybe costumes and parties too. But did you know that on October 31st our nation also celebrates National Knock Knock Joke Day? Isn’t that so cute? I mean, it’s appropriate. Knocking + Halloween. Although unfortunately, knocking on doors will be rare, if at all, this year for Halloween. Boo!

Nationaldaycalendar.com shares with us of an estimated timeline of how Knock Knock jokes began. To summarize, the jokes began as game called The Buff in 1929. Then the format of the game transformed into a joke feature in the newspapers in 1934. It became popular in 1936 and then in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Knock Knock jokes were regularly shared on the Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in Show. It’s amazing that this joke format has been around for all these years!

Speaking of Rowan - I picked up some blank journals on sale after Halloween last year (or the year before). Each design came in a package of six journals and they were fifty percent off. What a deal! At first I was just going to send them blank journals so that they can decorate, write, draw or do whatever they wished on the blank pages. I decided to reuse some Halloween cards and stickers to create little books for my niece Rowan and my nephew Colton. Between the two books, I slipped in thirty Knock Knock jokes. Check them out below.

This year, giving Halloween pinches to the teachers will be tricky. Both of my kids are in middle school which means they are WAY too cool to hand their teachers Halloween gifts. It wasn’t long ago that parents were allowed on campus and I would slip the pinches into the teacher’s mailboxes. But now, due to Covid, this can’t happen. So my job this week is to convince the kids that handing out the gifts to each teacher is super cool.

I have always assumed that teachers got lots of candy from their students for this holiday so I aim to give out non-food items. Except one year - we gave out apples that were covered in a Mexican spice which made for an unusual twist on the caramel apple. This year, we are giving out Knock Knock jokes (look for pictures on social). My hope is that these jokes will give the teachers a little laugh and hopefully they will pass along or share it throughout the day. The collection of jokes above are from the websites: Southern Living, Big Happy House and Everything Mom.

Over the years, I have accumulated a few posts about Halloween. Eight posts total. I have been writing about Halloween thoughtful pinches to give teachers and all who support us. For example, hair stylists, coffee baristas, mail carriers, housekeepers, coaches etc. The reason I have so many Halloween posts is because Halloween is the beginning of the whole season of pinches to the teachers. From Halloween to the last day of school, we give the teachers gifts for many holidays in between. I thought about skipping almost all of the holidays for the teachers this year with the exception of Christmas and the End of the Year gifts. But of all the years the teachers need little reminders that they are appreciated, this one tops! Although I’m behind in getting the pinches together, we will be ready in time because I think it’s too important to skip.

There is still time to get some gifts together. The following links, in regards to Halloween, can be helpful:

Hopefully sparks of inner creativity abound and the spread of thoughtfulness for Halloween continues. Just don’t forget - it’s also National Knock Knock Joke Day on October 31st. Knock Knock jokes are fairly easy to make up once we get the hang of it. So I shall leave you with a joke that I made up all by myself. {Side note: I borrowed “lettuce” and added my own part which makes it an original.} Easy. Let’s keep the laughs coming!

Knock Knock

Who’s there?

Lettuce

Lettuce who?

Lettuce try celebrating Halloween six feet apart.

Pinches,

Barb