13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

As a lifelong Halloween enthusiast, I absolutely adore the creativity and fun that comes with this spooktacular season! Over the years, I’ve found countless ways to incorporate my love for all things eerie into my daily life.


Is there any sense you’re picking up? There’s a nip in the breeze, a howling from the wind. The foliage is shifting hues and shedding, offering an ideal crunch beneath your steps, be it for a leisurely walk or a hurried dash through the forest. Fall has arrived, and so has the season of chills.

Based on who you are and your location, there’s a chance you’ve been feeling festive for Halloween since July. This is because retailers typically start adjusting their stock for the holiday around that time. As for me, I own a shirt that says “Is it Halloween yet?”, which I wear throughout the year, but it never fails to be funniest on November 1st.

Regardless if it’s universally recognized as the perfect time or not, there are multiple ways to embrace the Halloween spirit. Here are thirteen activities you can engage in, varying from solo pursuits to those requiring a group of fellow Halloween enthusiasts.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

1. Decorate your house

While your Homeowners Association may object to a 12-foot skeleton staying in your yard throughout the year, they would likely tolerate it for about a month or two prior to Halloween. However, if you prefer something less spooky, there’s no shortage of creative decoration ideas to celebrate the holiday season.

If you own a house with an outdoor space, you could decorate it by hanging string lights, casting eerie projections onto your garage, suspending fake ghosts from the trees, and distributing mysterious gravestones across your property. Alternatively, if you prefer something less labor-intensive, there are always pre-made cobweb materials that can be quickly draped over shrubs or pinned in corners to create a more relaxed Halloween atmosphere.

Even if you don’t own a house, it doesn’t prevent you from adding some festive flair. Plenty of stores offer removable window clings and an increasing variety of Halloween home decor items. Whether you choose to go all-out or simply add a few pumpkins and cauldrons to your living area, decorating can transform the ordinary into something more magical.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

2. Buy Halloween candy (and then buy it again when you inevitably eat it all)

It’s worth noting that Halloween is strongly associated with sweets nowadays, whether you buy them for trick-or-treaters or for your personal enjoyment. It can be enjoyable to shop for limited edition treats like Reese’s pumpkin-shaped cups and popcorn balls, which are exclusive to this season.

Absolutely, purchasing candy ahead of time could lead to an irresistible urge to indulge yourself prior to the arrival of trick-or-treaters. No worries though, it’s quite common! It simply implies that you might have to go shopping for more treats a bit earlier, perhaps around two weeks before Halloween itself.

Unfortunately, themed candies tend to be more costly due to their novelty value. To save money, keep an eye out for sales when shopping or visit discount and dollar stores that may offer smaller quantities at reduced prices. Avoid the misconception that only children enjoy Halloween candy; instead, let your mature judgement guide you in finding a bargain.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

3. Learn about the history of Halloween

Today, Halloween often serves as an occasion for consuming sweets, donning costumes, and experiencing spooky fun. However, its roots are deeply intertwined with religious celebrations, most notably the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian observance of All Saints’ Day.

It’s fun to partake in Halloween as we know it today, but it’s intriguing to consider the origins of our current traditions. Activities like carving pumpkins and dressing up for candy have a rich history that provides interesting explanations behind their existence.

Discovering the rich historical background of retail holidays like Halloween, especially when conventional representations seem worn out, offers a meaningful alternative for celebration. Many people are unaware of its depth, making it an intriguing pursuit as the novelty of parties and trick-or-treating begins to wane.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

4. Watch a horror series or horror movie marathon

Every October, I eagerly anticipate the chills and thrills that Halloween brings, and what better way to indulge in the fear factor than diving into some spine-tingling horror content? If you’re unsure of where to begin your spooky journey, streaming platforms usually curate a horrifying assortment of films and series for their Halloween lineups. Some services even offer personalized recommendations based on the intensity of scares, ensuring an optimal fright night experience!

If you prefer to create your own movie marathon, there are numerous paths you could follow. For a classic horror experience, look for the Universal Classic Monsters series or Hammer Horror films. If you’re interested in more recent offerings, consider categorizing them by sub-genre or series, which will allow you to choose the themes that scare you the most.

Horror content isn’t limited to movies; many television series delve into the genre too, with varying levels of quality. Some may not meet expectations, but series like Mike Flanagan’s on Netflix excel at utilizing the serial format effectively. In summary, there are countless horror shows out there, more than any one person could possibly watch in a lifetime if they tried to see them all.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

5. Paint or carve pumpkins

A classic past-time for the Halloween season is carving pumpkins, but there are a few different ways to play with that idea. The most obvious is the classic route: pick up a carving pumpkin from the store, cut it open, scoop and scrape out the guts, and carve a spooky or silly face. It’s messy, but it’s a lot of fun!

Rather than carving, pumpkins tend to rot rapidly. If you carve one prematurely, it may become a rotten mess by Halloween, regardless of how diligent you are with care. This has led many individuals to opt for painting pumpkins instead, as it satisfies the same urge without exposing the pumpkin to decay. Additionally, painting is simpler and less risky, as no knives are required and any mistakes can be easily corrected with removal of the paint.

No matter if you decide to sculpt, decorate, or opt for an adventurous approach, pumpkins serve as an ideal medium for artistic expression. They’re like the autumnal sandcastles, offering opportunities for both quick and detailed creations, enabling individuals to showcase their creativity in a way that may not be emphasized during other seasons. Therefore, grab a pumpkin (or any gourd) and unleash your imagination!

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

6. Explore nature

The essence of fall is truly captured by Halloween, and this festive occasion has the power to infuse a spooky charm into virtually any autumnal activity. Fortunately, there are numerous methods to immerse yourself in the Halloween fun, many of which are completely free!

Initially, nature is undergoing significant changes. It’s an ideal moment for a relaxing drive or stroll to appreciate the vibrant foliage. If you find yourself burdened with the tedious chore of gathering leaves, why not unleash your playful side and leap into the piles once they’re all collected? By adopting the right perspective, simply sitting outside can evoke a spooky Halloween atmosphere.

As a gamer, if you’re looking for something more immersive and seasonally themed, seek out local farms and orchards in your neighborhood. You might find pumpkin patches, apple picking, and even hayrides – autumn classics that will help set the mood for Halloween fun. Some places host fall festivals or provide u-pick harvesting experiences, which not only offers a chance to connect with nature but also lets you admire the beauty of the changing seasons.

7. Play horror-themed games

A notable advantage of today’s gaming industry lies in its vast array of choices compared to traditional games such as Monopoly or Scrabble. This variety encompasses engaging horror games that can bring an eerie atmosphere to social events.

Certain games are tied to a particular series, such as the Funko Scream board game, but I’d suggest exploring the more creative games that delve into various aspects of horror. My top pick would be Betrayal at House on the Hill, where players construct a spooky mansion, encountering diverse horror elements and perils before triggering one of numerous potential “haunts.” Its high replay value makes it an excellent choice for those seeking multiple haunted experiences.

If you’re seeking budget-friendly entertainment, consider games that utilize common household items such as Murder in the Dark, or even games requiring no materials at all like Hide and Shriek. For those who bond over games, particularly during Halloween, a little exploration will uncover numerous themed alternatives to choose from.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

8. Throw a costume party

Without a doubt, nothing captures the spirit of Halloween quite like costumes do, reminding us of our youthful days of trick-or-treating. It’s an enjoyable experience that allows us to step into another character or creature, don fancy attire, and revisit our carefree childhood selves.

As an adult, it might be challenging to trick or treat for candy without raising eyebrows, so costume parties become the ideal alternative. Regardless if you opt for a specific theme or a free-for-all, costume parties provide a fun and casual platform for individuals to express their passions and interests in a playful manner.

You can find numerous types of events and games that revolve around costumes, which align perfectly with popular TikTok themes for parties involving guests in costumes. Maintain the character theme throughout the night, or incorporate it into a murder mystery setup. Regardless of how you choose to organize it, a costume party allows you to experience the fun of Halloween even when traditional activities may no longer be considered appropriate for certain age groups.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

9. Eat fall favorites

When considering Halloween-themed cuisine, many folks envision adorning everyday dishes with eerie embellishments, such as making sausages resemble spiders or cakes appear monstrous. If you possess a knack for food artistry, crafting spine-tingling snacks and frightful finger foods can be an enjoyable endeavor during this chilling holiday season.

For those less skilled in creative cooking, there are timeless autumn tastes that can be incorporated into various dishes. Instead of just pumpkin spice, which dominates everywhere from Starbucks to glazed pastries, consider other seasonal favorites like apple cider, hazelnuts, pecans, maple syrup, and caramel as alternatives.

These flavors can be incorporated into a wide variety of desserts, yet they are equally suitable for savory dishes when paired with appropriate seasonings. Given their popularity, finding recipes for meals featuring these flavors is straightforward online. The classic taste evokes an immediate sense of the Halloween season.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

10. Go somewhere scary

To immerse yourself fully in the spirit of the season, there are activities that are inherently thrilling or specifically designed to be so. Many large towns offer ghost tours during autumn, and exploring local event listings can provide additional ideas for participation.

A thriving sector during the Halloween season is amusement parks themed around horror. While these may seem like just movie set pieces, they do indeed exist in reality. Notable examples include Six Flags Fright Fest and Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights. However, there are also mobile theme parks that capitalize on all things that go bump in the night.

If you’re looking for a unique and potentially unforgettable experience, there are numerous places where you can visit haunted houses. These could be specifically designed to frighten you, or they might have a verifiable past of ghostly encounters. Keep in mind that these experiences may linger with you even after you’ve left. Some haunted locations also include historical cemeteries, where the deceased are respectfully remembered while offering an opportunity to potentially encounter the supernatural under the right circumstances. These can be quite enjoyable, but remember, they might leave a lasting impression!

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

11. Introduce Halloween into your wardrobe and/or makeup

Regardless of whether you can attend Halloween activities, you can still set the mood by dressing up. The simplest way to do this is through clothing, offering a variety of choices like spooky graphic t-shirts or incorporating classic Halloween motifs into everyday attire.

If you’re someone with a creative flair (or work in an environment that encourages it), you could also accentuate your themed outfit with bold choices in hair and makeup. For instance, spiderweb eyeliner is quite popular during this season, and the right combination of eye and lip makeup can help bring out your inner witch or vampire.

Reflecting our inner selves, Halloween costumes offer us an opportunity to share with the world our identities and passions. Whether it’s a bat-wing scarf with a dress or spooky socks peeking from under work pants, you can choose to make your Halloween affection as subtle or flamboyant as the occasion allows!

12. Make a Halloween playlist

Music has long been one of the most important elements of the horror genre, so why shouldn’t it be an important part of your Halloween season too? Most music services have Halloween-themed playlists you can download, or you can make your own based on your interests.

Instead of sticking with the usual hits such as “Monster Mash” and “Thriller,” which are often found on everyone’s playlists, creating a personalized playlist allows you to tailor your music selection to your own taste. For those who appreciate instrumentals, horror movie soundtracks can offer spine-tingling background music for your daily listening.

Adding lyrics gives you even more options. There are childhood favorites, like The Nightmare Before Christmas and “The Purple People Eater,” or pop songs that have gained a spooky reputation like “Somebody’s Watching Me” and “Disturbia.” Musical theatre fans can fill their playlists with horror musicals like Jekyll and Hyde, Sweeney Todd, and The Addams Family. Whatever genre you prefer, you can bet there are some great Halloween classics when you need to add some spooky fun to your day.

13 ways to get into the Halloween spirit

14. Watch a childhood Halloween favorite

While many perceive Halloween as a season of fear and excitement, it doesn’t hold the same connotations for everyone. For some, it’s about celebrating diversity and embracing the fun of being playful or childish. This is where nostalgia steps in, guiding us towards reminiscing about Halloweens past.

You’ll find numerous delightful Halloween-themed episodes and films for kids, perfect for rekindling your inner child! Many streaming platforms offer a variety of TV specials, animated movies, and timeless classics like “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’s ‘The Ghost of Suite 613’,” “Casper,” “Hocus Pocus,” and many others. This allows you to immerse yourself in nostalgia while enjoying the fun of Halloween!

One way to rephrase my statement could be: During Halloween, I blend elements from my beloved horror series and cherished childhood tales, like the Halloweentown franchise and Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School. For those who prefer not to watch horror, there’s still a chance to celebrate the season by revisiting timeless favorites that might be lighter on the scares but rich in nostalgia.

Halloween is a time to enjoy the more macabre elements of life, remember childhood freedoms, and relish in a good scare. No matter what your schedule is or what your hobbies are, there is a way to enjoy the Halloween season all autumn long. These thirteen are just a handful of ideas to set you on the right path to make the most of this spooky season.

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2024-09-29 22:26

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