Covid-19 Halloween
Halloween is a yearly tradition almost everyone in the American culture looks forward to, no matter the age! Getting all dressed up, hanging with friends and eating too much candy – who wouldn’t like that?! Unfortunately along with many other things this year Halloween will look a bit different because of the pandemic. The last thing you want to do this Halloween is be with large crowds in close quarters. This is sad but it just means it is time to get creative and I am here to help you out!
Stay At Home for Halloween 2020
I know, I know, we have all been “staying at home” for MONTHS but this is just the way it is. I mean we all strive to make our home space super lovely, now at least we know we have really got our money’s worth out of it. What’s one more extravagant theme night to add to the photo album? My suggestion is outdoor movie night, weather permitting of course! You can rent or purchase a projector, hang up a white sheet (hopefully not stealing anyone’s ghost costume here) or rent a screen, and you are good to go. I know it takes a little more finesse than that but I think anyone can pull it off and there are endless amazing Halloween movies to choose from that are on the movie service providers you already use.
If you really want to step up your game this could turn into an outdoor camping night – if you dare to sleep outside after a scary movie, BRAVE. A less scary terror-themed way to make things exciting is to set up a popcorn/candy bar and tons of comfy blankets and pillows. You could surprise your partner with this romantic night or both plan to pick out a movie and treats for each other!
We had a small outdoor movie night last weekend and watched Hocus Pocus (C and I’s fave). We rented a projector and screen from a local company, and had it delivered to make it easier on our schedules.
I scoured social media and amazon for the cutest accessories to elevate my charcuterie board! We ordered a TON of pizza, and set up a candy and popcorn bar for dessert. I like to keep the theme going with the bar, and chose a bunch of creepy-looking wine bottles with our pumpkin wine glasses.
Autumn Activities
There is still so much you can do aside from big parties and stuffing your face with chocolate to make it feel like Halloween. If you are really down in the dumps you can choose an Autumn/Halloween based activity for each night and cap off the week with a crazy Halloween Saturday!
Activity Ideas:
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Decorate/Carve Pumpkins
- Visit a Corn Maze
- Rake leaves and jump in them
- Raid Dollar Tree and decorate your front porch/door
- Haunted Houses (many are drive thru this year)
- Movie Marathon
- Go apple picking
- Take a hike
- Spoil your neighbors with treats on their front step
There are so many activities you and your family can still be doing amidst everything, you just have to be willing to think outside the box a little bit! We are still all in this together, we are all trying to navigate life in this new way but it won’t be going away anytime soon so let’s get used to it and make the most of it.
Leaving the House on Halloween in 2020
Wait what?! Leave the house? Yup! There are many things you can still go out and do that aren’t trick or treating. Corn mazes, drive thru haunted houses and pumpkin patches are still open for business and they need your support to get through these tough times. Obviously follow the precautions; wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance but also get lost, have fun, and if you’re being safe the only fear you should feel is from the scary creatures of Halloween night.
If you are more in the adult scene, (no kid zone) and up for it, get together with close friends, (small groups of course) and have a themed dinner party. Every city/state has different laws of social gathering groups but if everyone adheres and feels safe then a get together should be a no brainer. We can’t all stay cooped up, it is not good for our mental health or physical health; choose your exposures but still have fun and enjoy your life. Pick a theme everyone is into and you’re set! It does not have to be expensive.
Themes could be:
- A murder mystery
- A favorite tv show/movie of the group (ex// Harry Potter – think of all the food)
- A culture based party – tacos? Count me in
- Bite Size – vampires and appetizers – no one needs a full balanced meal
- Choose a color – dress, decorate, eat and drink only things of that color
- A red wine tasting – decorate the table with fake blood
There are so many creative ideas on pinterest for themes and appetizers/foods – one search and you will have a whole party planned for you at your fingertips! I may have to try my hand again at a couple Halloween themed charcuterie boards, one with meat/cheese and one all candy. I recently botched a cheese carved creepy cross, but I think I could try again.
Be Smart, Be Safe, Enjoy
I’m sure I don’t have to say it but just so we are all on the same page, Halloween masks don’t count as masks. They have a hole in them so you can breath. A hole is not going to do anyone any good. Maybe this is the Halloween we just omit scary masks and can actually see who each other are. That may be the worst part of a Halloween party, there is always that one person walking around in a full coverage costume and you can’t figure out who they are. Ugh, gives me the creeps just thinking about it, I watched way too much horror and murder mystery. Regardless, if you’re going out wear a compliant mask, under your mask.
I would love to hear what you are doing to kick off the start of a long three months of holidays!
