The magic of ordinary days is a captivating story that takes place in a remote farming community during World War II. Livy, the main character, finds herself in an unexpected situation when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock. In an effort to hide her shame and protect her family's reputation, Livy agrees to marry a young shy farmer named Ray. Livy's life takes an unexpected turn as she is thrown into a new world of rural farming and married life. However, Ray's kind and gentle nature slowly helps Livy see the beauty in the ordinary days. As Livy adjusts to her new life, she begins to find solace and happiness in the simplicity of daily tasks on the farm, like milking cows and tending to the gardens.

What to know about trunk-or-treating, a trick-or-treating alternative

A car is open at a trunk-or-treat in 2014. The events allow children to collect candy from trunks of cars gathered in parking lots.

This Halloween, some trick-or-treaters, instead of trekking through neighborhoods, will opt for a more stationary form of candy collecting: trunk-or-treating.

Trunk-or-treating is an alternative to trick-or-treating, in which parents and guardians gather their vehicles in one spot, typically a parking lot, open their trunks and give out candy as children walk from car to car.

Some candy-givers decorate their trunks with scenes and themes, such as pumpkin patches, spiderwebs and monsters.

Here's a rundown of how it started and how to find one nearby.

How did it start?

Early mentions of trunk-or-treating date as far back as 1994 and are commonly associated with churches, who present the events as safer alternatives to door-to-door trick-or-treating.

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A 1994 article in The Birmingham News, in Alabama, centered on the Hilldale Baptist Church of Center Point, where children up through the sixth grade could participate. The gathering touted attractions such as a ball pit, a game room and prizes, including bicycles.

By 2003, the Providence Presbyterian Church in South Carolina was hosting its second annual trunk-or-treat, with hot dogs served for dinner, according to an article in The Greenville News.

People gather at a trunk-or-treat in 2014. Scott Maentz/Flickr Creative Commons hide caption

People gather at a trunk-or-treat in 2014.

Trunk-or-treating has also been referred to as "Halloween tailgating."

Though often dubbed as the safer option to trick-or-treating, child psychologist David Miller of the University of Albany says there is little evidence pointing to trick-or-treating being dangerous.

Worries such as people giving out poisoned candy and razor blades in apples started in the 1960s and have been debunked.

"I think one of the things about [trick-or-treating] that we don't sufficiently appreciate is a sense of trust we put in our neighbors when kids go out trick-or-treating," he said. "And in most cases, that trust is well-placed."

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But he said trunk-or-treating does provide a good option for those who live in rural areas where there are longer distances between homes.

"I don't think that either trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treat — that one is inherently better than the other," he said. "It all comes down to personal preference. It's an enjoyable activity, and it should be fun for people, so whatever works for them is fine."

How do I participate?

Trunk-or-treat events are held at lots of places, including schools, churches, YMCAs, courthouses and even car dealerships.

The events are often listed on Facebook, so that's a good place to start to find one near you. Some of them have games, contests and arts and crafts.

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For ideas on decorating your trunk, social media sites such as Pinterest and TikTok can give you do-it-yourself ideas and walk you through instructions on setting them up.

For those who don't want to DIY, several major retailers sell pre-made kits to install on trunks.

25 DIY Trunk or Treat Ideas for Cars and Trucks in 2023

Get set to win Halloween with these easy projects that won't break your budget!

Halloween will be here before you can say "Boo!" (seriously, can you believe how fast the summer flew by?) and with it comes some of the year's biggest fun: scary movies, treats galore, costumes for the kiddos—and us grown-ups, too—and decorating the house inside and out. But can you ever really have too many Halloween activities? We say "No way!"—which is why we've rounded up the best Trunk or Treat ideas for Halloween 2023.

If you haven't heard of autumn's latest and greatest tradition, it basically involves taking trick or treating on the road, often to a church or school parking lot. Community members, friends, and neighbors dress up their vehicle trunks and cargo spaces for the holiday and hand out goodies to all who come calling. The whole thing has the feel of a street festival crossed with a parade, with a heaping helping of block party thrown in, and it's an absolute blast.

A big part of the pleasure is seeing how everyone has outfitted their cars, SUVs, and trucks with themed decor, as seen in the outstanding Trunk or Treat examples we've collected below. From ideas based on pop culture including Super Mario Bros. and Harry Potter, to stellar settings re-creating an Egyptian tomb and a spider's den, each of these projects is a sure-fire witchy season winner. Whether you're a Trunk or Treat first-timer or an old pro, you'll definitely find one to help you get your haunt on this Halloween.

Trunk or Treat Ideas 2022 [Decoration Guide]

Ahh, Halloween. It’s the time of year when kids don their best costumes and hunt for as much candy as they can. Come Halloween night, parents release their children to roam their neighborhoods on the prowl for candy. But another option rose in popularity lately, and many parents prefer it: trunk or treat. You probably heard about it before, or even participated in it. Whether you’re familiar with the concept, we’ll give you the scoop on what it’s all about. We’ll also give you some great trunk or treat ideas for you to try!

As Livy adjusts to her new life, she begins to find solace and happiness in the simplicity of daily tasks on the farm, like milking cows and tending to the gardens. She also finds companionship and support in the company of two amiable sisters who help her adapt to her new role as a wife. As Livy navigates the challenges of being a young bride and expectant mother, she also begins to experience a growing affection for Ray.

What is trunk or treat?

Trunk or treat is an alternative to traditional trick or treating. Cars loaded with candy in their trunks park in school or church parking lots (hence the name “trunk or treat”). Parents and guardians accompany their kids as they go from trunk to trunk stuffing their bags with precious sweets. People think it was started by churches to give kids a safer way to get their treats during the holiday. Many non-religious communities take part in it, too. Parents can keep a close eye on their children while the kids still get the trick-or-treating experience. Traditional trick or treating isn’t practical in some neighborhoods either, so this provides children with a fun Halloween experience. Parents also get the chance to catch up with their friends while their little ghouls celebrate. It’s a sweet deal for everyone! Besides, it’s exciting seeing everyone’s car decked out in cool trunk or treat decorations! But when is trunk or treat anyway? Is it on the 31st, too? Well, we’ll answer that for you!

When is trunk or treat?

Trunk or Treat normally doesn’t take place on Halloween, although it can. Schools and other communities often plan it for the Saturday or Sunday before the holiday. Some parents still enjoy traditional trick or treating on the 31st, so they like it when it’s on a different day. Sometimes it takes place at night, but it’s usually in the evening while it’s still light out. But how does it all work, you may ask? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you!

How does trunk or treat work?

A group (like a school or church) organizes the event and volunteers purchase candy, decorations, and other supplies. On that night, parents park their cars in the parking lot and begin decorating their open trunks. Once all the cars are decorated and the candy is in place, then the fun begins! Kids go from trunk to trunk, grabbing sweets and hanging out with friends.

Now that you know more about this fun alternative, you’re probably thinking of how to decorate! Do you need some trunk or treat decoration ideas? Or do you want to explore different trunk or treat themes? Don’t get overwhelmed, friends–we’ve got you covered with some easy trunk or treat ideas in all sorts of themes.

Despite their unconventional start, Livy and Ray's marriage blossoms into a genuine love filled with understanding and support. However, their happiness is challenged by the arrival of Livy's absent lover, Danny. As Danny confronts Livy and demands to be a part of her life, Livy is torn between her obligations and what she truly desires. In the end, she must make a difficult choice that will determine her future and the happiness of her newfound family. The magic of ordinary days is a heartwarming tale of love, forgiveness, and finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. It reminds us of the power of ordinary moments and the genuine connections that can be formed amidst the chaos of war and personal struggles. Livy's journey teaches us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility of finding happiness in unexpected places..

Reviews for "Cultivating Wonder in the Everyday: A Synopsis"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I picked up "The Magic of Ordinary Days" expecting a heartwarming tale, but I was sorely disappointed. The synopsis does not do justice to the slow pace of the story and lack of character development. The plot felt stagnant and predictable, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it was a dull read that didn't live up to its potential.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I regret wasting my time on "The Magic of Ordinary Days". The synopsis made it sound like a charming and captivating story, but it fell flat. The writing was uninspiring, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and found myself skipping pages just to get it over with. It lacked depth and failed to deliver any emotional impact.

3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magic of Ordinary Days", but it failed to meet my expectations. The synopsis promises an enchanting and magical experience, but what I got was a mediocre story with unremarkable writing. The plot lacked originality and substance, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I was hoping for a captivating read, but unfortunately, it fell short.

4. Jessica - 3 stars - "The Magic of Ordinary Days" was an okay read, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. The synopsis had intrigued me, but the execution was lacking. The story had its moments, but overall, it felt lacking in depth and emotional connection. It was an average book that didn't stand out among others in the genre.

5. David - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "The Magic of Ordinary Days". The synopsis promised a magical and enchanting story, but all I got was a slow-paced and mundane read. The plot dragged on, and the characters were forgettable. It lacked the charm and depth I was hoping for, and I struggled to maintain interest throughout the book. Overall, it was a letdown.

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