How to Celebrate Halloween in the Middle of a Pandemic
Artwork by Mia Clow
This October is a little different for everyone. Depending on where you are there are a lot of different challenges to face. It gets harder and harder as we approach half-a-year living through increased stress (aka a global pandemic). Here where I am, things are tightening back up again, restrictions are being implemented and it feels like we’re moving backwards. This is especially challenging for me because this is one of my favourite times of year. I love the Fall and Halloween. I look forward to it all year round and with the Government urging us to stay within our household, the outlook of any of those festivities seems grim. At least the way we might be used to. But that’s what I’m here for. To find a way to still celebrate but just in a different way. You can take these suggestions and adapt them to your situation – maybe you live alone, maybe you have roommates or live with your parents. Maybe it’s just you and your partner. Regardless, we can find something for everyone.
If You Feel Like Socializing:
We have moved school, our jobs and our hang outs online…why not move your party online too? Throw a virtual Halloween Party! Have fun creating an E-Invite with your Zoom Meeting ID. Maybe your friends would be willing to pitch in a couple bucks and you can upgrade your Zoom account to allow for longer meetings. That’s what my friends and I did in order to watch movies without having to keep restarting our Zoom session. You can have a costume competition and create a Doodle Poll so everyone can vote for their favourite. You could take usual virtual games like Draw It and try to make it Halloween Themed. Maybe you end it with a scary movie, or scary movie drinking game for those that choose to imbibe?
If you’re not about that, and you have a big enough household of people you live with, why not keep the party at home? My cousins did an at-home birthday party with their family where each person made a room in the home a different “bar” and they went bar hopping right from home. Each room had a different theme! Maybe each person in your home can be responsible for decoratng a room in your “Haunted House” and you can all explore your new frightening surroundings together. Make sure each room has a game or activity that matches the room and it’ll keep you busy all night! Start in Dracula’s castle, and end up in the laboratory of Dr. Frankenstein…have fun with it!
If You Want Something Chill:
If you’re not feeling the commitment of a “party” but still want to feel like you’re doing something special, how about planning your own private Halloween Slumber Party. I love this idea because you can do it solo, with a roommate, with a partner or with your family! Decorate the living room, make some snacks (or buy some), maybe build a spooky blanket fort…and depending on how much time you have, movie marathon it! Plan out your movie line up, put on your cozies, some mood lighting and off you go! As much as I love getting dressed up, I also love this idea too, and I love that I can do it with myself and it’s a great opportunity to practice enjoying your own company. Sometimes I get really down when I am single during times like this – I wish I could share these moments with someone special and build special memories. Being alone can feel uncomfortable sometimes but finding ways to make it exciting helps me to remind myself that I can have just as much fun alone. Sometimes more.
Why not test your bravery by playing a horror game or just a dark creepy video game (Last Door, Little Nightmares, and DARQ)? There are lots of thrillers out there if you like to get the adrenaline going but prefer to be alone. Or, if you’re more of a quiet household but like to get into the mood without all the work of partying and decorating, why not find yourself a Murder Mystery or a board game with a darker theme? Clue seems like the perfect PG board game for the occasion if you ask me! You can still get some snacks, (I always buy myself some Halloween Candy for fun), and put on some music and just have a fun game night!
If you’re a streamer, host your own Halloween Party on Twitch. Twitch is a great way to connect to lots of people and feel a sense of community. I’ve seen a lot of these kinds of streams where you can dress up for fun and play spooky games with your followers. It’s a great way to still be on your own but connect with people who appreciate you too! If you're more of a watcher, I’m sure you can find someone who is hosting something fun and spooky!
These are just some ideas to keep the Halloween Spirit alive during a time of physical distancing. Got any other ideas? What will you be getting up to this year? If you’re hosting a Twitch stream let me know so I can tune in and watch!
Stay open, stay positive.
-B