Simplify Your Halloween & Savor Every Spooky Moment
Halloween becomes more commercialized every year. But a classic approach to Halloween will keep your budget intact and a grin on your face throughout the spookiest time of year. If you want to restore the playful spirit of Halloween and spend more quality time with your family, let these reminders help you center your celebration on old-fashioned, frightening fun. Make memories, this Halloween, rather than too many trips to the store.
Pump Up Your Pumpkin Power
What’s Halloween without those bright orange globes of autumn spirit? I’m referring to pumpkins, of course. Set a date for that trip to the pumpkin patch where family members can each select a choice carving pumpkin. Then set aside a few hours one week before Halloween for jack-o-lantern carving. Here are some classic pumpkin designs to inspire you.
Smiling Jack
Evil grin
Cat in profile
Flying bat
Spider with web
Wise owl
Spooky ghost
Puking pumpkin
Your family’s name
Halloween words
Go Green When Choosing Costumes
When it comes time to brainstorm costume ideas, challenge your kids to pull costumes together from scratch rather than purchasing pre-made. Try to inspire more creative self-expression from them and less you making it all happen for them. You’ll find ample tutorials on the Internet and lots of costume accessories to choose from at your local resale shop. Here is a list of costume types to get the ideas popping.
Animals
Bugs
Heroes
Celebrities
Monsters
Magical Creatures
Professions
Foods
Cartoons
Fictional Characters
Use Down To Earth Décor
Don’t go over the top with Halloween décor. Often a few natural-looking items added to a front porch are all you need. Or search online for easy craft tutorials related to the following images. Build up a repertoire of decorations that you expand gradually over the years rather than going over the top with Halloween decor.
Bats
Crows
Pumpkins
Spider webs
Ghosts
Skeletons
Witches
Cats
Owls
Branches
Tombstones
Compile A Halloween Playlist
Spooky songs are to Halloween what Christmas carols are to Christmas. Recruit your kids’ help and make a Halloween playlist. Here are some blasts-from-the-past many parents will recognize. Turn them on to turn chore time into a dance party.
“The Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson
“This Is Halloween” by Danny Elfman
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
“Werewolves Of London” by Warren Zevon
“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult
“Spooky” by Andy Williams
“Witchy Woman” by The Eagles
“I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow
“The Devil Went Down To Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band
“The Addams Family” by Victor Mizzy
“Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley
“Witchcraft” by Frank Sinatra
“Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” by Arlen & Harpburg
“Bad Moon Rising” by Creedance Clearwater Revival
Create Annual Movie-watching Traditions
Sharing family films is a terrific way to chillax during a busy time of year. So gather the crew and get in the Halloween mood with movies that startle without scaring the pants off anyone.
For The Whole Family To Watch Together
The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (Not Rated, For ages 4 and up)
The Wizard of Oz (Not rated, ages 8 and up)
ET (Rated PG, ages 8 and up)
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone (Rated PG, ages 9 and up)
For Older Kids: Family Movies to Watch With Teens
The Goonies (Rated PG, ages 11 and up) 1985
Hocus Pocus (Rated PG, ages 11 and up) 1993
Edward Scissorhands (PG-13, ages 13 and up) 1990
The Addams Family (Rated PG-13, ages 13 and up) 1991
Hosting a Halloween party? Keep it simple with classic Halloween party themes. Here are some ideas to get you brainstorming. Search online for easy homemade décor ideas.
Salem Witches
Sleepy Hollow Headless Haunts
Roswell Aliens
Black & White Horror Movie
Transylvania Vampires
Zombie Apocalypse
Shakespearean Tragedies
Dancing Skeletons
Wizard School
Mystical Journey
Serve Satisfying Potluck Meals
If you plan to bring a meal to a potluck or just want to fill bellies with savory sustenance, serve something simple. Trick or treaters need substantial meals to counterbalance all the sugar typically consumed on Halloween. Try your hand at the following favorites.
Chili with Corn Muffins
Sweet Potato Soup with Zucchini Bread
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Cole Slaw
Chicken And Dumplings
Beef Stew with Crusty Bread
Shepherd’s Pie
Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Meatball Subs with Potato Salad
Lasagna and Caesar Salad
Vegetable Soup with Pumpkin Muffins
Clam Chowder with Apple Muffins
Story by
Christina Katz