Your 2020 Guide to a Peculiar Halloween
Written by Aisling Deane
Photographed by Hillary Nana-Adjei
Happy October! There seems to be a disheartening rumor that Halloween is canceled this year due to COVID-19. But fret not, the spirit of Halloween is very much alive. No, that spirit is not the equivalent of partying through the night, shoulder-to-shoulder with old and new friends. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things to steer clear from this Halloween.
Some things the CDC deems high-risk include traditional trick-or-treating, indoor costume parties, haunted houses, and hayrides. This can be disappointing as it creates an illusion of limited celebration options. But there is a safe way to have a fun weekend. I’m talking about a Halloweekend-in, spending time (away from large gatherings) with your close ones, because the only thing scarier than a ghost or a vampire is risking your health—and others’.
First thing on the to-do list is to turn your living space into your very own haunted house! This is key to kicking off spooky season, because if your surroundings don’t radiate the spirit of Halloween then you're not doing it right.
I know what you're thinking. Decorations can be expensive, especially when you're a college student on a city-living budget. Don’t worry! There are options for everyone. If you want store bought decorations without breaking the bank, throw on a mask and head to your closest Target. They have a ton of options—from banners to table cloths to window decals—meaning a dorm spruce up will only cost a couple dollars.
If you wish to polish your artistic skills or are simply seeking a fun home project, you’re going to love handmade decorations and the extra special touch they’ll bring to your space. Personally, everything I crafted came out looking botched, which isn’t necessarily bad considering the nature of Halloween. But this definitely wasn’t the look I was going for which is the story of how I ended up at Target. However, if you choose to take the handmade route, not only will you have festive decor but also an excuse to have a fall-themed crafting day.
After setting the scene, it's time to decide what your Halloweekend activities will be. Whether you’ll be crafting, playing board games, or hanging out with friends, a thrilling Halloween playlist is a must. As far as I’m concerned, any playlist that has “Calling all the Monsters” by China Anne McClaine is a hit. But there are hundreds of Halloween-themed playlists with a variety of spunky songs to choose from on Spotify. My roommates and I spent well over an hour dancing to classic hits like “Monster Mash” and “Spooky Scary Skeletons” while brainstorming ideas for Halloween.
Coming to my favorite part of Halloween... costumes! Just because you can’t go out for Halloween this year doesn't mean you can’t dress up. Frankly, I think it’s more important this year than any other year. This is a perfect way to maintain some sense of normalcy when everything seems out of control. Plus, it makes for some great photo-ops. After setting up your decorations, you're going to want to show them off! What's a better way to do that than getting all dressed up and cherishing memories from this unusual Halloween for years to come? This would be the perfect time to try out the ghost trend that has surfaced on TikTok. You can even use Zoom to show off your costume, as suggested by the CDC. So, whether it's Euphoria makeup, vampire fangs, or a simple ghost, dressing up is a great way to keep spirits high during this eerie time of year.
What should you watch in order to feel the wicked wonder of Halloween? If you’re looking to feel nostalgic and childlike excitement, I suggest revisiting movies such as Halloweentown, Twitches, Hocus Pocus, or any others from the Goosebumps series. But, if you're looking for something more spine-chilling, I would suggest Hereditary, Annabelle, or It.
As we all know, snacks are a necessity when watching a horror movie. In addition to classic microwave popcorn, themed snacks are the way to go. There are plenty of sweet treats that are easy to make and delicious. If you want something light and fresh, but also sweet, try making caramel apples. These only take a few ingredients, and you are always a Google search away from how to make this delectable dessert. My favorite version of the endless variations on this treat? Swirl your-caramel dipped apples on a plate of orange and black sprinkles to complement the festivities.
For something more convenient, Pillsbury’s pre-cut holiday sugar cookies are the way to go. Between their adorable ghost and pumpkin designs and the ease of making them (if you don’t burn them like I did), they are perfect to snack on. And if you don’t want to lift a finger when it comes to treats, just grab a bag of mixed candy to remind you of the joy that trick-or-treating brings to the child within all of us!
Though this is not the Halloween we expected this year, we can still reinvent it to something special. It can still be a frightening—and eventful—weekend full of fun.
