Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. What's not to like? Crisp, clear autumnal air...permission to dress up (or down) for fun...and of course, lots of candy and tasty treats! This year is looking a little different in our household as we wear masks not because they are novel on Oct. 31st, but because we have to wear them every day. The unwelcome party guest of COVID-19 is out in full force now that those chilly winds have more of us inside more often and we have all relaxed our protocols a little bit with the mental fatigue that comes from so much careful planning for so long.
So what is a fun-loving, Halloween enthusiast to do this year when so much is on the line and we have already worked so hard? Well, let's get back to our roots and bring on the creativity! Here are ten ways to celebrate Halloween this year that can be fun for kids of all ages (I count myself in that!) and families with *actual* children. :)
1. Have a spooky get-together with ten or fewer friends/family members instead of throwing the blowout bash you were thinking about. We want to make sure our twenty person creative costume idea involves all the same people next year, right?
2. Help plan a party for your kids and their friends instead of going trick-or-treating. We know that COVID-19 droplets stay in the same air (inside or out, like on a porch) for up to 72 hours as other pass through it. Instead of dodging those invisible bullets, have the kids come to one location instead of canvassing the whole neighborhood and touching the same bowl as every other kid.
3. Carve or paint pumpkin decorations. This is a favorite of mine from as young as I can remember! Who says all the pumpkins need to be done before Halloween?
4. If you do decide to participate in handing out candy to kids in your area, consider putting all the candy in a bowl on your driveway or in the yard and sit at least 6 ft. back so you can still say hello without getting too close. Adding a big bottle of hand sanitizer next to the candy bowl will help fight off any bugs that might be carried in on a little one's hands.
5. Decorate your house or lawn before, or even on, Halloween. Let your imagination take over whether you decide to go for pre-made decorations and window clings or make your own scarecrow to prop up in the front yard.
6. Have a costume party and/or fashion show with the people you live with. Come up with as many creative categories as possible and vote for your favorites. Perhaps there is even a prize for overall "best dressed"!
7. Looking for.a quieter night in? Now might be the perfect time to watch an old favorite Halloween movie (Hocus Pocus or Halloweentown, anybody?) or find a new one to enjoy!
8. If the weather is nice, consider having a (contained) fire where household members can roast marshmallows and enjoy being outside together. Maybe even have some roasted pumpkin seeds or dipped caramel apples? Yum!
9. Trick-or-treat inside your own house with a small group get together (again, no more than ten people, please!). Take turns being the person trick-or-treating and the neighbor handing out candy. Maybe mom or grandpa can hand out candy when you knock on the door to the living room, and your dad or brother can pass out candy when you knock on the door to the study. Maybe there is even a secret code to open each of the doors and you go full scavenger hunt.
10. For the adults (or very excited kiddos!) consider hosting a "murder mystery" whodunnit style evening. There are TONS of resources on the web for how to create a fun and easy to prep mystery evening. Or if you want to skip the prep all together, do an online Escape the Room where you guide someone in exploration of a spooky house and try to escape before the time is up!
However you choose to celebrate this year, think about the "treat" you are giving to the people you care about by having fun safely. Have fun everyone!
Prepare, don't panic,
-Allison
Comments