Halloween 2019- a distant memory to us all. We were blissfully unaware of the pandemic that was set to sweep across the world, affecting all aspects of our lives, just a few months later. Perhaps if we had known, we would’ve stayed out a little longer, put a bit more effort into our costumes, carved a few more pumpkins and binged a couple more scary movies. Though we have had no choice but to acclimate to a virtual world since then, there are still some fun and socially-distant memories to be made this year amidst a Covid-Halloween. Here are 5 safe and spooky activities that you can enjoy this year with a group of friends:
- Pumpkin Carving Night
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Everyone knows that nothing gives off quite as much of a Halloween vibe as a good ol’ jack’o’lantern. All you need is a pumpkin, your carving tool of choice, some inspiration and some good company to fully enjoy this Halloween activity. In small groups of 3-4, this activity can be done in-person and socially distant. If meeting up in person is inaccessible for some parties, or if you so choose to spend this time with a larger group of friends, a Zoom carving session is a great way to get in the spooky spirit while being socially responsible. An alternative to regular pumpkin carving is a themed carving contest, where the group decides on what to carve and the person with the best carved pumpkin depicting that theme wins!
- Scary Movie Marathon
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This Halloween activity is pretty self-explanatory and probably one of the more popular quarantine options. Netflix Party, a free chrome extension that allows you to sync up your Netflix screen with those sharing the same link, has taken over the limelight since the beginning of the pandemic. All you need to do is download the chrome extension, share the link and you’re good to go! Binge-watching scary cult classics with a group of friends is the perfect excuse to go through your favorite movies again, all while staying in the comfort of your own bed and pj’s.
- DIY Halloween Dessert Night
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You’ve heard of (and have probably gotten sick of as well) banana bread, so get ready for the vast array of Halloween-themed desserts!!! Pumpkin spice makes the world go round, but tons of other spooky confections await– from candy apples shaped like ghosts, to coffin cookies, to bat brownies. Such ideas for Halloween-themed desserts are endless with one swift search on Pinterest. Gather your favorite recipes, hit up your local grocery store, put on your chef’s hat and get ready to feast on the finest desserts that Halloween has to offer. This good ol’ baking sesh can be enjoyed either in-person with a small group, or on Zoom, as your friends virtually watch you reveal the disparity between the expectation and reality of your creation. Still yummy though!
- Drive-In Movie Night
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With movie chains such as Regal, Cineworld, and AMC closing their doors earlier on in the year, drive-in movie options have resurfaced again in southern California. This activity gives you a nice change in pace as you get to enjoy your movie on a big screen while still following social-distancing guidelines. Set out a nice mattress pad in the bed of your truck, or load up on blankets for the interior of your car and you’ll have yourself a retro movie night!
- Pumpkin Patch Outting
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If you’re living in the Westwood area this Fall, chances are you can visit a few pumpkin patches nearby that are still open to visitors. One good option is Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkins, a 5-star pumpkin patch near West Hollywood. This option is great if you’re looking to immerse yourself in those classic Fall vibes and get cute photo ops while you’re at it. Just grab your mask, a fun outfit, some friends and you’re all set for a nice Fall outting this Halloween!
These are only a few ideas of what you can do to get into the spirit this Halloween, but there are so many more. With optimism and an open mind, this year’s celebration can be just as much fun as previous ones from the pre-Covid world. Whatever you choose to do, just remember to be socially responsible and considerate of others. Happy Halloween!