The most wonderful time of the year is back once again: Halloween. Spooky décor is out, haunted houses are up and running, and pumpkin spice is back (thank god). However, with Halloween comes the ever-crazy Halloweekend. No matter how wild you plan on getting this Halloweekend, here are some easy tips to help you get through it:
1. Plan Your Costumes in Advance
My motto when it comes to Halloween costumes is, “Go big or go home.” That’s why I plan out my costumes a month (or two, or three) in advance. The last thing I want come Halloweekend is to be scrambling around in search of a last-minute costume. So skip the basic black cat this year, and plan ahead. Coordinate with your friends if necessary, and buy anything you may need well in advance of the big weekend. Practice that intense makeup look, get crafty with your clothes, and hit up your local Halloween shop or thrift store.
2. Don’t Procrastinate With Homework
Okay, this one is easier said than done, but it’s definitely important. When all of your friends are going out and having a good time, you won’t want to be worrying about that paper or exam looming over your head. So, plan accordingly: Get a planner, write down your assignments and due dates, and actually follow through on when you plan to do them. Finish everything you possibly can before Halloweekend rolls around, so that you’re not scrambling to get things done at the last minute; it’ll be worth it.
3. Avoid the Hangovers
As you may know, Halloweekend usually involves quite a bit of going out. No matter how many nights you plan to party, you definitely won’t want to feel sick in the morning afterwards. There are plenty of hangover remedies out there, but here are three that actually work for me: First of all, do not drink on an empty stomach, under any circumstance. Eating a good meal before going out is the number one step in preventing future sickness.
Next, stay hydrated! Alcohol dehydrates you, so whether it’s Gatorade, Pedialyte, or just good old-fashioned water, make sure you get your fluids the night of (and morning after) drinking. Finally, my secret weapon: milk thistle. Milk thistle is a natural herbal remedy that you can buy in pill form at most drugstores. It’s known to be a natural treatment for liver problems; take one after a night of drinking and you’ll wake up feeling good as new. And of course, always drink responsibly!
4. Don’t Force it
It’s totally okay if you can’t (or don’t want to) go out every night! I get it, Halloweekend can be draining. Whether you have work, school stuff, or just aren’t feeling it, don’t feel bad for staying in. There’s plenty of fun things you can do from home while staying in the spooky spirit. Have a scary movie marathon, bake Halloween treats, carve pumpkins, etc. Just make sure you do whatever will make you happiest this Halloween season— that’s what it’s all about!
Now that you’re equipped to survive the holiday weekend, I hope you make it a great one. Spend time with friends, have some laughs, and always stay spooky!