There’s nothing like the feeling of ordering what you’re craving at a restaurant and having it be delicious, satisfying, and exactly what you imagined. Now, imagine bringing this concept into the wellness space. That’s where menus come in. From “evening menus” to menus centered around specific occasions, like “midterms menus,” these personalized lists offer a variety of activities you can choose from depending on your mood, energy level, and what you need out of the day.
Certified holistic health coach Valerie Ribon coined the term, encouraging her social media followers to create their own activity menus. The idea is simple: Instead of following a strict routine, you build a list of options that make it easier to prioritize your well-being throughout the day. Just like a restaurant menu, you can pick and choose what sounds good in the moment. Starters help you set the mood, mains are the main events, and desserts are little ways to unwind and treat yourself.
And what better time to try out this concept than Halloween? With the holiday just around the corner (and falling on a Saturday this year, no less!), there are lots of opportunities to make your nights a little more festive. A Halloween menu gives you options for how to spend your Halloweekend, whether you’re planning on going out with friends, hosting a cozy night in, or just looking for an excuse to romanticize your evening. You could go all out with a scary movie marathon or costume party, or keep things more relaxed with a seasonal drink of choice and a comfort Halloween watch.
Ready to create your own Halloween evening menu to refer back to every year? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Halloween-Themed Evening Menu Starters
Every great evening starts with setting the right mood! Think of these starters as small, low-effort activities that help you transition out of your everyday routine and into something a little more spooky and fun.
- Light a pumpkin-scented candle
- Make a cozy fall drink (like a pumpkin spice latte or hot apple cider)
- Change into Halloween PJs or a cozy fall sweater
- Put on a spooky playlist
- Turn on your favorite string lights or decorate your space with spooky lighting
- Bake Halloween-themed cookies
- Paint your nails a spooky shade (think black, burgundy, or deep purple)
- Read a few chapters of a creepy book
- Take a sunset walk to admire Halloween decorations around your neighborhood
- Swap your usual phone wallpaper for a Halloween-themed one
- Make a seasonal snack board with candy corn, pretzels, and chocolate
- Browse Pinterest for Halloween costume or decor inspiration
- Try a Halloween makeup look just for fun, even if you’re not going anywhereÂ
Halloween-Themed Evening Menu Mains
Now it’s time for the main event. These ideas are perfect for when you want to dedicate a little more time to celebrating the season – whatever that means for you.
- Have a scary movie marathon
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go to a Halloween party (or host one of your own!)
- Host a pumpkin-carving competition
- Make a Halloween-themed dinner (like mummy hot dogs or a ghost-shaped personal pizza)
- Do a Disney Channel Halloween episode marathon
- Go trick-or-treating with siblings or friends
- Watch a classic Halloween movie you’ve never seen before
- Go to a haunted house or another local spooky attraction
- Play a murder mystery game or a Halloween-themed board game
- Make a mini haunted house or spooky display in your room
- Go on a candy crawl to explore seasonal treats at different stores
- Try a fall craft, like making Halloween decor or decorating a trick-or-treat bag
Halloween-Themed Evening Menu Desserts
Of course, no menu would be complete without some desserts. In this case, think of desserts as the little rewards and activities that help you end your evening on a good note. Not every Halloweekend needs to be packed with plans, and sometimes the best way to celebrate is by enjoying a few simple (but festive) pleasures.
- Enjoy your favorite Halloween candy
- Make a mug of hot chocolate or tea
- Listen to a spooky podcast or a ghost story
- Snuggle up with a blanket and watch a comfort show
- Take a bubble bath with orange or purple bath bombsÂ
- Make a fall-themed gratitude list
- Take a quiz to find out which Halloween movie character you areÂ
- Make a bowl of popcorn with your favorite sweet and salty toppings
- Do a tarot reading or try a Halloween-themed journaling prompt
- Play a cozy, spooky video game
- Read scary stories under the covers Â
- Look through old Halloween photos and reminisce