Let’s face it. We've all had to adjust a bit to a new normal in 2020, and Halloween will be no exception. With group parties feeling more complicated than ever before, who could blame anyone for feeling like Halloween is a write off this year? Not so quick though! Before you decide to drown your sorrows in Pumpkin Spice Lattes, have a read below. See what fun and exciting things your night could be filled with this year. Whether you’re planning for kids or kicking it solo, we’ve got you. Check out these fun, easy, and healthy ways to spend Halloween 2020.

1. Decorate to Your Heart’s Content

This one works for Mom’s and singles alike. Pre-Halloween night, get your kids involved in turning your home into a fun and creative space that screams spooky and fall.

While most of us likely have decorations we can reuse from last year (which we totally encourage), you can also get your kids set up with their very own inexpensive crafting station with the help of a few things you can find right in your backyard: fallen leaves, branch sticks, small stones (you get the idea).

Not only will collecting their crafting materials get them out of the house for some fresh air (YAY!!), but you can feel good about simply wasting less paper and plastic. Because (let’s face it) most kids' crafts end up lost or discarded by the time next year comes around.

Add a few warm cups of apple cider for you and them to enjoy, and there you have it. You’ve totally created a warm fall vibe for some much-deserved family time without ever having to step foot outside your home.

2. No Waste Costume Competition

We all know that (for kids especially) dressing up is the best part of Halloween. Seeing what everyone is wearing at work parties, or school events are oftentimes the most entertaining part of this holiday. Even simply staying in on Halloween night to hand out candy and watch all the trick or treaters dressed up is (to me) a great way to spend the evening. Knowing that there will likely be a lot less of this aspect of Halloween this year, means that some creativity will be required to keep this great part of the holiday alive.

Keeping with the idea of wasting less and re-using more, have your kids really put their creative juices to work for a little competitive fun. The rules are simple: you can only create your costume with items you already have in the house! Think Dad’s old plaid shirts and hats, and some draw-on mustaches with your (not so favorite) black eyeliner. (Sure, my ideas are simple. But believe me, your kids will come up with all kinds of costumes if you give them the chance to!).

This idea works for adults too! Turn the office costume contest virtual this year by posting your finished get-ups. It's easy! Just host a private group chat or hold a Zoom call and ask everyone to vote on who they think did the best job of reusing their old prom dress. You can apply the same (virtual) social aspect of this idea for your kids as well by organizing a quick call with their classmates and friends on Halloween night!

3. Bring the Haunted House Fun to Your Doorstep

This idea may or may not require a few props to create. But the result is worth the effort considering how many hayrides, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses are closed. Whether your kids are younger and you just want to create an ambiance, or if you want to create a full-blown haunted scene for an older (small) crowd, the ideas below can help you do just that.

• Pick a room in your house and fill it with non-toxic candles and jack-o’-lanterns where your kids can sit and reminisce on 2020 (just kidding), I meant where they can exchange scary stories or read a Halloween themed book.
• If you’re up for using more outdoor space, create a spooky entranceway with the help of some cotton spider webs and glim lighting. There are plenty of inexpensive, solar-powered alternatives to your regular patio porch light on Amazon. Plus, Amazon delivers these babies right to your door. They'll totally change the look of your entryway and set the tone for what’s to come inside of the house!
• Most of us have a few old cardboard boxes laying around. Cut a few out into scary shapes, and use these to create your very own upcycled decorations to stick in your windows. The shadows these will create at night in conjunction with your indoor lighting will turn your house into a haunted masterpiece.

4. When All Else Fails: Have a Treat

Whether you’re a kid or a grown up, the magic of Halloween treats is always comforting year after year. While it is definitely a night where you can feel a little less guilty about treating yourself if you choose to, there are also some easy healthy alternatives if you want to stay on track or avoid your kids having that dreaded sugar crash.

I’ll cut right to chase here, idea number four is all about presentation and a little creativity. Here are two easy ideas that will surely get you inspired to create your own Halloween themed snacks.

Banana Ghost Pops

Slice a banana in half and lightly stick a Popsicle stick to the bottom of it. Simply dip the banana into some Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternative of your choice, decorate with two chocolate chip eyes, chill until frozen, and voilà: you’re basically an artist and your kids will be “tricked” into having a healthy Halloween treat.

Deviled Eggs

I know what you’re thinking, “really, my Grandma used to make these”. But hey, if it’s not broken… add some olive or caper eyes on to it and some devil ears made out of red peppers and you’ve got yourself a solid healthy Halloween appetizer.

5. Or… When All Else Fails: Have a Cocktail

If you’re spending this Halloween solo, or maybe you’re only inviting over that one friend you’ve basically quarantined with this entire pandemic (hi Mom), why not use this time to unwind and watch all of your favorite Halloween themed guilty pleasures. Put on your most comfortable sweats, light up your non-toxic candles, pick out your favorite Halloween classic. ( Hocus Pocus, anyone?) Just sit back and enjoy how relaxing a spooky fall night can really be.

If you’re all pumpkin spiced out, here is a healthier fall twist on a classic cocktail you can make at home to accompany your scary movie binge. All you’ll need is:

• A splash of apple cider
• Half a cup of ginger kombucha
• 1 and a half fluid ounces of vodka
• Ice cubes and a lime for garnish

This is essentially your classic Moscow mule, with ginger kombucha as a substitute for ginger beer, and a splash of apple cider to give it October vibes. The apple cider gives this classic cocktail a refreshing change and pairs surprisingly well with the ginger flavoured base. Pour a glass and put your feet up, being a little isolated isn’t always so bad!

6. No Waste Pumpkin Carving

This year's revealed for many of us untapped reservoirs of ability in the mysterious realm of DIY. Sure, we've baked the ubiquitous load of bread back in March and spent the summer renovating those old, neglected projects throughout our house. Some of us have similarly discovered that we should really NOT attempt any more baking and DIY-ing for a while. If you fall into that category, go ahead and do us all a favor. Jump down to the cocktail section below and leave the pumpkin carving to the pros.

Still here? Then maybe you're ready to transform your doorstep or condo balcony with a little pumpkin pizazz! Get your creativity humming with this age-old Halloween fave: pumpkin carving! Here are some of our favorite patterns for carving onto your beloved gourd.

While most pumpkin carving chucks the pumpkin guts, we think you can do better! Go the extra eco-friendly step this year by using every part of your pumpkin. Most of us already know how easy and delicious it is to bake pumpkin seeds, but did you know you can put the rest of your pumpkin to good use (in a much easier way than baking a pie)? Here is an easy all-natural mask you can make at home by using pumpkin puree that will help you achieve healthy glowing skin.

• Puree your pumpkin insides and pieces in a food processor or blender
• Add in one egg, a tablespoon of honey, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and blend until you achieve a smooth consistency
• Apply the mixture to a clean face and let it sit for about 20 minutes
• Rinse off and apply your regular moisturizer
  
  

7. Host Your Very Own Halloween Zoom Party

Zoom, Google Meets, FaceTime, and various other virtual platforms have quite frankly been lifesavers during this entire pandemic. Any chance we have to connect socially while keeping safe is, at a time like this, so welcomed.

Take advantage of these easy to access resources and host your very own virtual Halloween party. Prep your snacks, drinks, throw on a witch’s hat if you wish, and enjoy some much-needed company. After all, we normally spend this night surrounded by friends and family. Even if your virtual guests only have an hour to commit, it is sure to be a mood-boosting activity that will make you and them smile.

8. Curate Your Own Halloween Playlist and Enjoy Some Self-Care

Open up your Spotify or Apple Music App and look up a fun Halloween playlist or curate your own to set the tone. (We like this Halloween playlist for kids and this one for us adults). Next, gather up your favorite self-care products for your night in this year. At a time where we really need to learn to enjoy the little luxuries in life, here is a simple routine you can complete to take care of yourself, boost your mood, and feel good in your skin:

• Start by taking your time in the shower and cleansing your skin with a nourishing and relaxing scented body wash. You’ll also want to also exfoliate your skin before you move on to the next step.
• The weather is getting colder, the sun is setting sooner, and our tans are now non-existent. No one has time for harsh sun damage on even a good weather day, so lather on a bit of self-tanner to give yourself some color and feel a little healthier. (Psst... You can find everything you need to know about getting the perfect healthy tan at home right here).
• Finally, give your locks a little love and apply some nourishing aloe vera and coconut oil as a deeply hydrating hair mask. You'll need about 1/2 cup of organic aloe vera and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Mix them together in a bowl, then smooth the mixture over your strands. Let it sit for up to 10 minutes for lustrous, soft, hydrated hair.

Kick back with your favourite book or mute your Halloween playlist for some calm unwinding, and enjoy the beneficial effects of giving yourself a little love and time to yourself on a holiday that used to be all about parties and the monster mash.

Final Thoughts

We hope this list of ideas gave you a little hope and inspiration for your Halloween 2020 plans. Whether you decide to turn your house into a haunted attraction or you end up having one too many kombucha cider cocktails, try to make this Halloween a fun, memorable night! It's a great time to appreciate all this iconic fall holiday has to offer, particularly now when we all deserve a little holiday magic. Here's to you and your family's Halloween spooktacular night in!

Candy Corn and Apple-Cider Cheers,

Carey

P.S. Do you have any other ideas we didn't hit in this list? Tell us in the comments below!