Halloween is a time for candy corns, costumes, and corny jokes. It's an excuse to scare your friends and eat lots of candy. Halloween has been around for a long time, evolving over time into the spooktacular holiday it is today. What are some of your family/friend/coworker traditions? Look no further for ways to spice up your celebration this year!
1. Pumpkin Picking
Pumpkins decorate the porches and balconies of houses and apartments across the country. While some may have been purchased from the local store, they all started nestled in rows at a pumpkin patch. Driving out to the farm, riding the tractor to the fields, and carefully selecting the perfect pumpkin is a must when Halloween comes around.
2. Carving Pumpkins
This Halloween tradition began as early as 1850 where people used the pumpkins as lanterns. Today, however, people carve pumpkins for spooky decorations and have been the subject of many a carving competition. Challenge your friends to a pumpkin carving competition and see what you come up with!
3. Visit a Haunted House
While many, (like me) don’t care for being scared; haunted houses seem to be hot commodity for the mysterious holiday. From the classic deranged clown and axe murderer popping out at you, to an intricate haunted Alice and Wonderland display, these eerie attractions run the gamut. Happy haunting!
4. Find a Costume
This tradition started as a celebration of the saints. The first store-bought costume wasn’t available until the 1930’s. Today costumes come in all shapes and sizes, so you can dress up regardless of your age. You can even coordinate with your four-legged family members! Today there’s a wide variety of Halloween stores that cater to your costume needs, as well as a plethora of DIY ideas.
5. Go Trick or Treating
This sugary tradition has been celebrated in the U.S. and around the world for over 100 years. Poor people would visit the houses of wealthier families and receive pastries in exchange for praying for the souls of the homeowners’ dead relatives. Today, children (and the really cool teens and adults) dress up and go door to door with the hope of receiving a bucket full of treats in exchange for a good joke.![]()
6. Decorate
Halloween is such a fun holiday to decorate for. From terrifying “blood” streaked windows to ghost garland you can wrap your party up in adornments better than any mummy. Decorating can get expensive so try visiting a dollar store near you or opting to use some things you already have. You can turn a black trash bag into a spider web with a pair of scissors and you can make a ghostly lantern with a milk jug, sharpie, and tea candle.
7. Bob for Apples
Apple bobbing makes for a popular party game. The use of arms is not allowed and it makes for an entertaining event. The tradition of bobbing for apples dates back to the Roman invasion of Britain where the conquering army merged their own celebrations with traditional Celtic festivals. It is said that the first person that bites into an apple is going to be married next. Are those wedding bells I hear?
8. Tell a Scary Story
To tell a successful scary story, base it on a true one. Try to avoid urban legends and make it seem scarier by telling it as though it’s recent and close by (like in the apartment downstairs). Practice your “storytelling” face and because it’s supposed to be scary act anxious when you tell it. Mwahaha!
9. Cook Something Spooky
Halloween is a great excuse to get creative with your cooking. Pumpkin patch brownies, monster Rice Krispies, Reese and pretzel witch brooms, and graveyard taco dip. Just think of all the spooky things you can come up with!
10. Watch a Scary Movie
Some popular ones include classics like Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Grab your popcorn and a blanket to hide under because it's about to get real spooky. Good luck sleepy tonight!
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11. Scare Someone
This is always fun to do especially if you’re in on it. BOO! (Did I scare you?)
12. Party Favors
If you're hosting a Halloween party, you need to have little favors to pass around. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, it can be as simple as leaving out a bowl of candy. However, if you want to do something a little more creative, try putting together little ghost s'more baggies, or wrapping lollipops in tissue and ribbon to make ghosts.
