Yeah, I noticed that. There are still gremlins in the works.
At my small Christian college we did a "House of Screams" for the fall festival one year. Half the campus loved it. Half the campus spent their time trying to convince us why it was the wrong thing to do.
I put it pretty much in the same category as fantasy and science fiction. Yeah, I know there are "other" meanings, but I don't think the Great Pumpkin is a major threat to me and my family.
Still, your dad has strong beliefs and it sounds as if your family has dealt with it well.
I do have a problem with some Christians who celebrate "Fall Festivals" and say "come in costume, but nothing scary." To me, that's just Halloween in drag. A few years ago in our previous church, the invitation told kids to come as your favorite Bible or Disney character...
...So we're thinking Rahab the Harlot...the Witch of Endor...Cruella de Vil...
Some people just don't think things through. Knowing you, I'm fairly certain your family does think it through.
We never did Santa, either. Oddly enough we've never felt deprived over either.
(I have been known to use fall festivals unmercilessly, however...especially if they are serving hotdogs. Bringing up young hobbits takes a lot of provender!)