The heartwarming meaning behind blue pumpkins on Halloween
- This year trick-or-treaters can expect to see blue pumpkins outside some homes
- The pumpkins are a special indicator for all who approach a house bearing one
- The blue pumpkins began when a mother shared a heartwarming story online
Trick-or-treaters are set to embark on their candy search tonight and may be greeted with a flood of blue pumpkins thanks to this heartwarming tradition.
The blue pumpkins, which are sure to catch your neighbors' eye, are meant to spread awareness of autism.
The pumpkins are not intended to be an indicator that the person carrying them, or someone in the home has autism, though some have opted to use it to indicate as much.
The blue pumpkins, which have become a Halloween accessory for autism in the US and the UK, are said to have began in 2018 after a Louisiana-based family took to Facebook to let social media users know that they would be putting a sweet twist on the spooky tradition in honor of their son, BJ, who is autistic.
The mother pleaded with people on the social media site to be 'extra kind' to those dealing with the disorder as she detailed his story.
Trick-or-treaters are set to embark on their candy search tonight and may be greeted with a flood of blue pumpkins thanks to this heartwarming tradition
The mom wrote: 'If you see someone who appears to be an adult dressed up to trick or treat this year carrying this blue bucket, he’s our son!
'His name is BJ & he is autistic. While he has the body of a 21-year-old, he loves Halloween.'
She noted that she wanted trick-or-treaters to help keep her son excited by the Halloween festivities as she explained that partaking in the blue pumpkin trend was one of the many ways to do so.
She continued: 'Please help us keep his spirit alive & happy. So when you see the blue bucket share a piece of candy. Spread awareness! These precious people are not “too big” to trick or treat.'
Her post has been shared more than 20,000 times since it first appeared.
The mom's post quickly went viral and pulled on heart strings as it ignited a conversation among neighbors.
After seeing the blue pumpkins, many people even began making blue-colored candy bags to help give children with autism some extra love during the eerie season.
A pediatric group in Wyoming also urged families who didn't have any loved ones that were autistic to participate in the trend.
The blue pumpkins, which are sure to catch your neighbors' eye, are meant to spread awareness of Autism (stock image)
The Facebook post read: 'Blue Pumpkin Project for Autism Awareness - if you see someone carrying a blue pumpkin while trick or treating, please consider that they may have autism.
'This means that speech may be difficult as well as their ability to interact with you. Be extra kind!'
The trend even spread overseas as people in the UK surrounded their homes with blue pumpkins to spread awareness.
Blue pumpkins aren’t the only strangely colored gourd you can expect to see this Halloween.
You may also spot teal pumpkins set out to indicate that all candy handed out there is allergy free. The teal pumpkin trend began with the Food Allergy Research and Education group to ensure that children with allergies were able to trick or treat as well.
Be on the lookout for meaningful pumpkins as you wander from house to house this year.
