I realize that not all preschools are able to celebrate holidays. My school has been able to for the past four years, so I go with it and have as much fun as I can :) I think that holidays can be stressful for adults, with so much going on, but I have found a solution that makes my life as a preschool teacher so much easier: Pretend I am a kid again! This always works, and even when things get busy or overwhelming I just try to look at the day through the eyes of a four year-old. And it all seems fun and magical again!
Dress Up with Your Kids!
My best friend is an amazing seamstress and (with a Halloween birthday myself) I asked her to make me a "preschool costume" as my gift a few years back. Each year I dress up as Cinderella, and my kids just LOVE it. It makes the day so much less stressful, and much more fun, to actually partake in the celebration in the same way the kids do!
Make them "Homemade" Treats
I also find that the kids behavior is much more mellow if we have one homemade treat, instead of any store-bought treats to celebrate. I go all out and make my famous Sugar Cookies (which you can sweeten with banana or applesauce if you want instead of sugar). We have one cookie as a part of a substantial/healthy Halloween snack.
Make Halloween Food All Week!
My preschoolers didn't ask for candy or any type of Halloween treat all week because we were having a great time with healthy snacks and lunches that still had a Halloween theme :)