I was in sixth grade. The leaves were turning, the warm breeze changed to a chilly gust and hot apple cider became a daily beverage. It was my favorite time of the year.
But it was also a time I dreaded, specifically, October 31. This was when all of my friends from school got together at night and participated in the traditional door-knocking and candy-gathering, and I either stayed home or went to my church’s Harvest Festival.
Although I still got to collect candy (because that’s really all I wanted at age 12), I felt left out because I couldn’t join my friends in trick-or-treating. This feeling worsened even more when they came back to school the next day, sharing their “crazy” stories.
I luckily was still afforded the privilege to dress up in a costume at school, but it was unsatisfying to simply go home after school and not walk around a neighborhood with a pillowcase waiting to be filled.
Many of my other friends from church were in the same situation: they didn’t see the harm in trick-or-treating, but their parents didn’t allow them to because it would be participating in a pagan holiday.
Celebrating Halloween boils down to a personal decision; if the person is a Christian or not will heavily influence that.
College students, no matter where they stand on Halloween, are now at an age where trick-or-treating is not the primary event of Halloween (and they don’t have to worry about their parents telling them trick-or-treating is not allowed).
So, what is there to do for Halloween? Well, there’s quite a few seasonal activities to get in the fall spirit.
Create the Space
If the space you live in emanates autumnal qualities, it will automatically feel that much more cozy. Most people will first think of decorations, which are a great start. Implementing pumpkins, leaves, and warm tones all come together to create a fall-like space.
If your living area looks like a fall harvest, it’s only natural it should smell like one too. An easy way to accomplish this is to place cinnamon sticks somewhere in the kitchen. Another way is to start a simmering pot of water with whole spices and fruit in it, such as orange peels, whole cloves, vanilla extract, halved apples, and more cinnamon sticks.
Although the weather is staying at a stagnant 80 degrees, there’s nothing stopping you from pulling out the fuzzy blankets. You can at least drape them over your bed or couch since overheating under them is still very possible.
Bring Out the Goods
Any excuse to make food is a valid one, and Halloween is no exception. Besides the fact that everything has been “pumpkin-ized” (just go to Trader Joe’s), there’s endless possibilities for fall dishes.
Whether it be pumpkin bread, cinnamon waffles, caramel apples, maple scones, or any variation between them, having a fall treat in the morning on the way to class is a sure way to start the day off right.
Baking is not only a great way to take a break from all the homework, but also a communal activity that can be fun for all your roommates.
Pumpkin Patches
Everyone seems to be going to pumpkin patches these days. So if you’re ready for crowds and pricey produce, it’ll end up being an enjoyable outing.
Although it can be worth it for some people to get the perfect fall picture for Instagram, there are still ways to go outside and avoid the masses if you’re worried you’ll be disappointed. Hiking, having a picnic, or even taking a drive to somewhere new present lots of opportunities for something out of the ordinary.
Host a Movie Night
Netflix has a plethora of spooky movies to choose from. Whether you want to bring it back to your childhood, or try out something actually scary, Netflix can provide. You can go all out and host a movie night as a study break for your friends, or just have one playing in the background.
There’s a whole section on Netflix for Halloween movies, so be sure to check it out:
American Poltergeist
Coraline
Carrie
The Conjuring
Goosebumps
Insidious
The Ritual
Scream 1, 2, and 3
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If anything, these activities will hopefully provide a break from the mountain of homework or just offer up a space that’s more calming and comfortable for the many hours of studying ahead.