This year has been a strange one, to say the least. One of the weirdest parts of my Covid experience has been the ‘Spooky Season’. I used to get into the fall mood while walking through campus, seeing the leaves change and feeling the weather get cooler. There’s something so satisfying about stepping on those crunchy orange leaves while finally being able to enjoy a hot coffee outside. This is the first time in a while where I haven’t truly felt like it was October. In my mind, it’s still August, mostly because I go outside a mere total of one hour each week. I’ve tried getting into the Halloween mood, but I guess it just hadn’t hit me yet. It wasn’t until me and a group of friends sat down and watched a couple of scary movies that I finally felt like it was Halloween season. Even though this October isn’t the most traditional, there are still a lot of things you can do at home that can get you mentally prepared for spooky season.
One thing anyone can do is decorate. It may seem unnecessary to spend money on decorations to use for a month or two, but it can be fun! Changing your surroundings can increase your excitement for Halloween or even just the fall season in general. The leaves changing and falling have a huge impact on how I feel about autumn, so adding a few decorations to my little studio apartment has already made me extremely happy. The best and cheapest decorations can be found at Hobby Lobby or the 99ct store; there is always a portion on sale.
I would also suggest watching Halloween movies to get you in the mood. They don’t all have to be scary; it’s the thought that counts. I always have a few Halloween movies I love watching each year, and I’m sure some are also on your lists as well. There’s no movie that gets me in the Halloween spirit quite like the Disney Channel original movie series ‘Halloweentown’. It’s such a fun and lighthearted way to shove Halloween down your throat; I don’t mind it, especially if I’m watching it in early October. Another Halloween classic of mine is the Scream series. A lot of people see them as cheesy horror movies, but what they don’t understand is that Scream MADE these horror tropes what they are today. All three movies have a great story that will keep you guessing until the end. I implore everyone that is having a less-than-enthusiastic Halloween to try to get their spirits up, even if they can’t go out and party. Just know that you can stay safe and enjoy October 31st even if you have to experience it from your couch.