Local News

Submitted Photo
The Hoffarts decorate their yard with inflatables, pumpkins, skeletons and tombstones.

Decorating for Halloween is a yearly routine for many, but for one Minot family, it’s a tradition that has become an opportunity to spend time together and create something new each year.

The Hoffarts have been decorating for several years. In their yard, this year’s display includes inflatable characters, pumpkins, skeletons and tombstones.

“We’ve been doing this for a few years now because I have a 7-year-old who enjoys helping me decorate,” Melissa Hoffart said. “It’s become a tradition.”

Rather than following the same designs from previous displays, the family changes its decorations to be different each year.

The decorating usually begins in early October, with Halloween being one of several holidays the family enjoys celebrating. The family also decorates for Christmas, Easter and, occasionally, the Fourth of July.

“When we decorate, we enjoy it because it’s our time together. We make up an imaginary theme and just go with the flow on how it looks,” Melissa Hoffart says. “It’s family time. Every now and then my husband joins and checks on how things are going.”

While decorating is their favorite activity, the family also enjoys going out together and trick-or-treating. For Melissa Hoffart, the best part of the tradition is being able to spend time with her daughter, Alexis.