How to celebrate Halloween during COVID19

With Covid19 still impacting our everyday lives, many people online have questioned whether Halloween celebrations should still go ahead this year.

The short answer is... of course they should.

I hate the term "cancelling Halloween" because it implies that all aspects of this spooky holiday should not be celebrated, when in fact, it's most likely just trick-or-treating that people won't participate in.

Halloween is more than just trick-or-treating!

Personally, I've always loved Halloween. The spooky vibes, the Autumn colours, the spirituality of it, I guess it brings out my inner goth that never truly died. It's also a great excuse to dress up and be a bit nerdy!

With this said, I understand that Halloween is not for everyone and some may see it as a children's holiday. Therefore, perhaps not knowing how to celebrate without trick-or-treating. So, with this in mind, here are some ideas that you may wish to incorporate into your festivities. As I've said, Halloween doesn't need to be "cancelled" and I can say this because I celebrate Halloween every year, and I haven't been trick-or-treating in roughly 15 years (since I was a teenager). Nor do I go to Halloween parties that often, if at all.

I usually ask you guys to grab a cup of tea and a snack but I think a pumpkin spice latte might in order for this post.

I will wait for you to come back from Starbucks...

Oh hey, welcome back! Okay, let's begin...

1. Pumpkin carving competition

I carve a pumpkin every year because I am very superstitious and I want to make sure I ward off bad spirits (this is the original reason why people started carving pumpkins..or rather turnips). Yes, I'm probably crazy. However, it is LOTS of fun and you can get very creative with it. With people in your household, why not have a competition? Everyone in your household carves a pumpkin, you then post pictures of the pumpkins on Facebook (or a social media of your choice) and ask your friends to vote who's pumpkin is the best. The pumpkin with the most comments/likes/votes wins. You can decide on the prize. This is especially good if you have older children, although please consider health and safety when allowing children to take part.

2. Make an Día de Muertos altar

In Mexico, they celebrate 'Day of the dead' (Spanish: Día de Muertos) which begins on 1st November until the 2nd of November. What I love about this Mexican tradition is that it celebrates life and the belief that we should enjoy and cherish our lives as much as possible. Too often we focus on death and the sadness of it. We should celebrate the lives that our loved ones had, and their accomplishments, no matter how small. It is well known that on Halloween and on 'The day of the dead', the spirits of those who have since passed walk the earth. During 'Day of the dead' many families create altars, with food, drink, and flowers placed for their loved ones. If this idea sounds interesting to you, then why not create an altar of your own? I think it's a great way of honouring your loved one's life. Last year, I created an altar in honour of my friend Ryan, who passed away earlier that year. For me, it gave Halloween more meaning and made me think about all the great memories I had with Ryan. Disclaimer: I am hoping the information I have written about 'Día de Muertos' is correct however, please correct me if it isn't.

3. Watch Halloween themed movies

I do this every year on Halloween. I don't watch horror movies on Halloween, simply because I love horror and watch it all year round. Also, horror doesn't give me Halloween vibes.

I mostly watch light-hearted Disney/family movies if I'm honest.

Here are a few that I recommend (in no particular order):

1. The nightmare before Christmas

2. Hocus Pocus

3. Casper

4. Sweeny Todd

5. Corpse Bride

6. Coco

7. The Addams Family

8. The Addams Family values

9. The Witches

10. Monster House

11. The book of life

12. Harry Potter

13. Frankenweenie

14. Paranorman 15. Coraline 16. Hotel Transylvania

17. The Witches 18. Beetlejuice 19. Edward Scissorhands 20. Sleepy Hallow

4. OR if you want to watch horror movies here are some of mine and my husband's favourites (again, no particular order):

1. The visit *

2. The grudge (Japanese version, US version is terrible) *

3. The ritual *

4. Get out

6. It Follows

7. Insidious *

8. The conjuring *

9. Sinister * 10. Halloween 11. Parasite (more of a thriller but it's excellent) 12. Carrie (The original, 1976) 13. The Babadook 14. 1922 15. Get Out 16. The VVitch 17. The Conjuring 2 *

DISCLAIMER: If you're scared by movies such as 'IT' some of the above might be too much for you, so please be warned. The one's that may affect people who are not used to horror have a star (*) next to them.

5. Butternut squash soup

Every year I cook butternut squash soup with a cinnamon kick.

It's perfect for this time of year, and tastes of Halloween vibes, I'm not sure why, I guess it's the cinnamon. For the recipe please watch FoodWishes on Youtube! He makes it slightly different to me (he doesn't add cinnamon) but most likely makes it much better than me.

However, if you would like my recipe, please send me a message. Otherwise, here is Chef John's video:

6. Buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks

HEY! It isn't Autumn without it!

I buy one at least once a year during Autumn. It just adds to the vibes!

7. Trick or Treating Alternative

Many people have posted ideas online about how to trick-or-treat during Covid19. The best solution I have read is to go around neighbourhoods and give your child a piece of candy every time they see a pumpkin. Perhaps talk to your neighbours and see who is willing to put a pumpkin outside their door.

These are just some ideas! I hope this has lifted some spirits (no pun intended) of those who were worried that Halloween celebrations wouldn't go ahead this year!

This year is my first Halloween in the United States! I have bought two huge pumpkins (even though they are considered medium-sized) and I shall be carving them this weekend! On Thursday, my work is allowing us to dress up and so, my colleagues and I are dressing up as Hogwarts students, GO RAVENCLAW!

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Feel free to leave a comment, or click the heart button (no need to sign in) if you enjoyed this post.

As always, thanks for reading.

- Kerry