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15 Fun Quarantine Halloween Ideas for a Festive, Socially Distanced Holiday

15 Fun Quarantine Halloween Ideas for a Festive, Socially Distanced Holiday

This Halloween has the potential to be epic: the holiday falls on a Saturday (which means we get an entire day of candy, costumes, and crafts) and there will even be a full moon (so spooky!). That said, there are a few things that will set Halloween 2020 apart from all other years — most notably, the coronavirus pandemic and everything that comes with it. But just because we need to remain socially distanced this year doesn't mean Halloween is canceled — it just means we need to brainstorm creative quarantine Halloween ideas.

Ahead, we've compiled a list of the best ways to safely celebrate Halloween in 2020. From setting up a few festive Halloween games to cooking a spread of yummy fall foods, these ideas will help you have the best Halloween yet. Forget everything you know about how October 31 is traditionally celebrated; these quarantine Halloween ideas will help you have a spooky socially distanced celebration right at home. All you need to do is put on your costume, eat some candy, and get ready for a haunting Halloween house party.

1. Go "Ghosting

What's that, you ask? It's when you create a treat bag of goodies for a friend or neighbor and leave it on their doorstep with a note inside to pass it on (as in, create a new treat bag and "ghost" someone else). It's a festive way to spread some socially distanced holiday cheer.

2. Play a Halloween game

This year, you have all day to celebrate Halloween — which means you might want to plan some structured activities. A fun bean-bag or ring toss, or a game of trivia or charades is sure to be a hit.

3. Make a spooky snack

Since you might not be able to do traditional Halloween activities like going to a haunted house or trick-or-treating with friends, you can channel more of your energy into creating a stunning spread of spooky snacks.

4. And some spooky sweets

Halloween is all about treating yourself — which means you should go all in on preparing a ton of sweets. Try something creative, like witch cupcakes, black cat cookies, or choco-pumpkin ice-cream sandwiches.

5. Do a Tarot card reading

Light a few candles and see what's in the cards for your future. For a unique experience, hire a professional to do a private Tarot consultation on Zoom.

6. Put on a Halloween playlist

No matter how small your Halloween party is, it won't be complete without some festive tunes. Blast your favorites and have a dance party or play a game of freeze dance.

7. Watch a Halloween movie or special

There's no more classic activity than watching a Halloween-themed movie or show. For a kid-friendly option, tune into the Mighty Express's Halloween Special on Netflix. In it, a haunted Ghost Train comes for candy every Halloween, and Nate gets quite the fright when he thinks Flicker's first-class costume is the real deal.

8. Attend a trick-or-treat parade

Look in your local newspaper to see if there will be an outdoor Halloween parade or some other socially distanced celebration. You might be surprised how many parades, trunk or treats, and drive-through events you find.

9. Make a fall craft

The perfect Halloween craft is one that's just as festive on October 31 as it is come Thanksgiving (that way, you can make the craft on one holiday and use it as a decoration on the next). Fortunately, there are a ton of crafts that fall into this category, such as these paint-splattered pumpkins. Simply paint pumpkins a solid color and then splatter a different color over it using a toothbrush.

 

 10. Decorate!

 A little bit of Halloween decorating can go a long way — especially if you've got kids. For example, waking up to these adorable ghost emoji balloons will help them feel like Halloween is going to be perfectly festive, even if it's a little bit different this year than most years.

 

11. Host a virtual party

At this point in quarantine, we're all pros at hosting virtual get-togethers. Pour a drink, put on a costume, and invite all your friends to a Halloween FaceTime or Zoom party.

12. Paint your kids' faces

 You don't have to be an artist to have fun with face paint. Ask your kids which design they'd like and do your best to paint it. They can even take turns painting each others' faces if they'd like.

 13. Mix a spooky cocktail

No Halloween is complete without a custom witch's brew cocktail or mocktail. Freezing plastic spiders into your ice cubes, as seen in this drink, will delight both kids and adults.

 14. Go on a family bike ride or walk

Spend Halloween morning biking through a park or nearby neighborhood. Point out the prettiest fall foliage or the most fabulously decorated houses. It's a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the late-fall weather.

 15. Deliver festive treats to loved ones

Consider sending a delicious Halloween treat to friends and family you can't see in person. Receiving a delivery of these monster-inspired rice Krispies pops will be a bright spot on anyone's holiday.

 Reference: Juliana Labianca of Goodhousekeeping

Do’s and Don’ts in Throwing a Children's Party

Do’s and Don’ts in Throwing a Children's Party

Planning for your kid's birthday party is fun yet stressful indeed that we get carried away most of the time and forget some of the things to be mindful of.

Here's the list of Do's and Don'ts that may not be a life but definitely a party saver. ;)

DO send invitations early

Make it a month in advance, at least. People are quite busy and they’re more likely to decline if it’s Monday and your party is scheduled for this coming Saturday. This is also more common if your child’s birthday falls during the holiday season or in the summer when family vacations are more frequent.

DO be specific

Always specify what time of day you are throwing the party and whether you are serving lunch or dinner. Also, since we are talking about children’s parties, make sure to indicate if parents can drop off their children or if they are required to stay for the party. It could also help if you are clear about whether siblings are welcome.

DO include an RSVP date

It would be easier for party hosts to know what to expect when they receive responses from guests in a timely manner. Give people a specific date by which to RSVP, and a method of contacting you (email/text/call).

DO make it palatable and enjoyable for the parents

Let’s face it, unless they’re family or close friends, most parents aren’t dying to spend their weekends at your kid’s party. The least you can for is to make it enjoyable for them too. If your party is in the morning, serve bagels and coffee. If the event is at one of those bounce house/trampoline/rock climbing venues, let the kids eat the sub par pizza that’s included and bring in real food for the adults.

DO be sensitive to food allergies

If you are aware that one of of your guests has a food allergy, have an alternative food on hand for that child to eat. Parents of kids with allergies are used to bringing along “safe” food for their kids, but they would really be super appreciative if their kids can partake in the party treats, too.

DO send thank you notes

Although generic pre-printed notes may not be as genuine as hand-written notes, it’s better than nothing at all. Get your kids in the habit of thanking their family and friends for their kindness and generosity. It’s a skill that will stay with them long after the party is over.

DON’T exclude kids

It’s fine if your child doesn’t want to invite the entire class, but you also wouldn’t want to exclude 2 kids out of 20 either, especially if you are distributing invitations via their teacher. If you’re keeping your party small, be discreet and tell your child not to talk about it in front of their classmates who were not invited.

DON’T do the “no gifts, please” thing

It’s actually a noble idea to ask the guests to not bring gifts anymore — your kid has way too much stuff and gifts aren’t cheap. However, people feel compelled to bring something,and those who don’t then feel awkward for coming empty handed.

DON’T open the presents at the party

A lot of party places would ask guests to drop their gifts in a designated area before the start of the party. These gifts would then be whisked to the birthday kid’s car at the end—and for good reason. It is often quite time consuming and chaotic. Wait until the guests go home before tackling the gifts with your child.

 

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