Halloween is fast approaching, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations will definitely be a little different this year. Last year, you might have gotten dressed up for a Halloween party or trick-or-treating with your kids. But in 2020, partaking in some of our usual October festivities could spread COVID-19, and as we move into cold and flu season, we need to be careful about prioritizing the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones. If you’re feeling down about your lack of Halloween celebrations, don’t despair—here’s how to have a spooky evening while staying safe!
Decorate Your Space
If you want to embrace the spirit of the season, it’s time to decorate your space! Do some research to see if local pumpkin patches are still open for customers—if they have safety and hygiene protocols in place, you should be able to enjoy this outdoor activity without taking unnecessary risks. If this isn’t an option for you, you can pick up pumpkins and gourds from your grocery store. From string lights to faux cobwebs to seasonal lawn decor, transforming your home for Halloween can definitely boost your mood. Pick a sunny afternoon to get creative and do some pumpkin carving—it’s a great activity for a fall day when you’ve got to be a homebody!
Check Out Your Neighborhood’s Decor
Chances are, plenty of your neighbors will be decorating, too, especially with all of our extra time at home. Why not go for a stroll on the evening of Halloween to check out everyone’s decor? Whip up some vegan hot chocolate at home, grab a thermos, and invite your roommate or partner for a walk. There’s nothing better than getting some fresh air on a crisp fall evening, and if the leaves in your area are changing, you’ll be treated to some great scenery.
Celebrate in the Kitchen
It’s the season for all things pumpkin! From pumpkin pie to pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween is the perfect night to get creative in the kitchen and enjoy a seasonal vegan feast. For dinner, you might be craving pumpkin chili, pumpkin curry, or butternut squash soup. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, you could try a new pumpkin muffin recipe. Or you could mix things up and go for an apple crumble with plenty of cinnamon. With Halloween falling on a weekend this year, you could also brew up some delicious spiked apple cider.
If you’re vegan, you don’t have to skip out on classic Halloween candy, either: Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, Swedish Fish, and Twizzlers are all vegan. Plus, if you check the ingredient lists on dark chocolates at the grocery store, you’ll likely find a few vegan options!
Send Your Friends Treats
Maybe you haven’t gone trick or treating in years—but you and your friends can take some inspiration from this tradition and send each other treats this October! Giving budget-friendly, Halloween-themed gifts can brighten up your Hallo-weekends. Pop into your group chat with your closest friends and float the idea of sending each other seasonal gifts and see if they’re up for it. You could drop off small baskets of goodies at each other’s homes, or you could send them over in the mail.
Over the past year, we’ve all learned to appreciate the little things and the deep connections we share with our loved ones. Sure, Halloween isn’t typically associated with expressing gratitude, but in times like these, nothing can brighten your day more than a gift from a friend who knows how to put a smile on your face.
Have a Horror Movie Night
So, you don’t have plans to go out on Halloween this year—but you can still have a fun night in! There’s no better weekend to have a horror movie marathon. Pick out a few of your favorites, or rent a couple that you’ve been meaning to check out, but just haven’t gotten around to yet. And if you feel like you’ve spent more than enough time staring at screens lately, and you would prefer to unplug for a little while, you could curl up with a classic horror novel and spend a few hours getting spooked.
This year, we’ve all had to find new ways to celebrate—and we’ve all had moments when we didn’t feel much like celebrating at all. But we can find a way to carry on with our usual traditions, even in such strange times. This Halloween, you can still have a fun and festive night while social distancing.
Host a Masked Outdoor Party
If you have plenty of outdoor space (patio, backyard, rooftop), invite friends for a masked hang-out. You could do pumpkin carving, serve Halloween treats and drinks, and tell ghost stories around a fire pit. Bonus points if it’s a “masquerade” of creative, hygienic, face covering! Just be sure to space out.
How are you spending your Halloween this year?
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