I think that Hallowe'en is just another day in a sense. I also feel because of the timing that its a good day to celebrate the bringing in of the harvest from times past. Reminding the children that people had to work really hard to be able to eat well and feed their families. To me giving out candy is symbolic of feeding those who are in need, although giving something healthier than candy might be a good option.
As I am divorced, my children will be dressing up in costumes I dont approve of ( they are dressing my 4 year old daughter up as an ugly witch and my 6 year old son as a scary creepy mummy)this year, seeing as the law says I have to allow my ex-husband visitation every other holiday. In a sense, though this will give them balance. They will have the opportunity as they grow up to see a negative example and a positive example. While i dont agree with my ex's way of doing things, my children are intelligent enough to see what is more fun to them. They already dont want to dress up the way their daddy wants them to, unfortunately i dont have a way to control what goes on over there and he refuses to listen to the children.