Halloween obsessed or not, we’re all probably looking for ways to cut loose and have a good time this Halloween. However, Halloween 2020 is going to require some creativity. While the general opinion on what can/should be done on the night of the 31st currently ranges from health official to health official, the ongoing pandemic is certainly going to weigh heavy on your plans. That’s where I come in: your friendly neighborhood twenty-something granny who not only rarely sets foot in a bar, but cares deeply about everyone’s safety in these crazy times. I’ve compiled the below list to give you some spooky inspiration for COVID-19 friendly activities to get you in the Halloween spirit!
- Have a Virtual or Socially-Distanced Pumpkin Carving Party
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Carving pumpkins as a family was always an integral part of Halloween as a child. While it isn’t safe to gather in huge groups to carve pumpkins together, it is definitely a fun activity to do with a few people closest to you, such as your partner, family, or close friends. If this isn’t feasible for you, or if you wanted to include more people, a virtual pumpkin carving party via Zoom or a similar service would be super fun as well!
- Make Trick-or-Treat Style Care Packages for Your Friends
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My very favorite part of Halloween is, and always has been, the sweet treats. While the majority of people reading this article may be “too old” to go door to door, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any magic in receiving something sweet! These care packages can be put together super inexpensively; all you really need is a cute vessel and some goodies to fill it with. If you really wanted to, you could jazz it up with some fun ribbon or even a cute card. It’s totally up to you! As someone who was on the receiving end of something like this last year, I can’t tell you how much it brightened my day!
- Have a Halloween Movie Marathon–Blanket Fort Optional!
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My partner and I, as you may know from previous articles of mine, are massive homebodies. We really love nothing more than curling up on the couch with a warm beverage and a good movie. Last year to celebrate Halloween, we built a blanket fort, threw some of the infamous Pillsbury Halloween cookies in the oven, and had ourselves a cozy and festive movie marathon. While the blanket fort and cookies are totally optional, many streaming services now offer a wide variety of Halloween films for you to enjoy, from terrifying horror movies to nostalgic classics such as Halloweentown.
- Zoom Halloween Happy Hour–Costumes and All!
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Maybe your favorite part of Halloween is hitting the bars in costume! While perhaps heading to a packed club isn’t a good idea right now, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have some drinks while you’re dressed up! You can find a wide variety of Halloween inspired cocktails and mocktails online, and costumes can be as simple as a pair of ears and eyeliner whiskers! Play some Halloween tunes while you’re at it and you’re all set for a fun night-in that feels like a night-out!
- Make Some Festive Snacks
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Sure, Halloween candy is delicious all on its own, and regular drinks and snacks are fine, but festive beverages and snacks are much more fun! I’m looking forward to trying out this HalloWINE Sangria and these adorable Halloween Blossom Cookies, but the options are literally endless! If you’re feeling extra festive, you could always put on a festive playlist or light a fall scented candle.
- Meet in the Park for a Festive Potluck-Style Picnic
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Wondering what to do with all of your festive snacks? Well, weather-permitting, head to a local park and meet up with some friends for a picnic! If all of your friends also bring a snack–festive or not–your picnic could quickly turn into a potluck style picnic. This idea also works well with a few other on this list, such as pumpkin carving and distributing your Halloween care packages!
- Have a Spooky Self Care Night
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Self care has always been important, but it has become especially important throughout this crazy year. While you could, of course, just follow through with your regular self care routine, it you’re looking to spice things up for Halloween, you could incorporate some spooky swaps. Lush sells a variety of Halloween inspired bath and body products you could swap for a regular bath bomb. If you like to read, perhaps you could choose a novel more in line with the time of year, such as Frankenstein? If you like to paint your nails, maybe you could experiment with some fun Halloween designs! The choice is yours!
And there you have it! I hope these ideas inspire you, and no matter what you end up doing, I wish you a super happy (and safe) Halloween!