5 tips for celebrating Halloween even during a pandemic
As Halloween approaches and children eagerly await the chance to dress up and go trick-or-treating, we must not forget that we are living through an unprecedented health crisis and that we need to take precautions to protect ourselves and our children. Unlike in the United States, where the holiday has been canceled in several states, the Canadian government is expected to issue official recommendations soon on how to celebrate Halloween safely. In the meantime, here are 5 tips to follow so that this holiday remains unforgettable despite the pandemic!
1. Decorate your house like never before
Humanity is going through difficult times, and holidays like Halloween should be opportunities to have fun and forget the worries of everyday life. Despite the ongoing pandemic, take advantage of Halloween to decorate your house as if nothing were happening, putting your whole heart into it. Take the precautions required by the situation, such as wearing a face covering, always keeping hand sanitizer in your pocket, and enjoy yourself by decorating the front of your house so that it is the most charmingly terrifying one in the neighborhood. From time to time, do not hesitate to involve your children, who will take great pleasure in getting hands-on and watching their home transform completely.
2. Don’t forget the famous terrifying Halloween cocktails
Halloween is the perfect opportunity to prepare the drinks children love and that fit the atmosphere of the holiday perfectly. So do not hesitate to prepare the ingredients needed to make these special drinks. For example, you could choose the timeless orangeade decorated with a gummy worm. Be creative by adding a syringe filled with blood—grenadine—or frozen lychee with a blueberry to create the illusion of floating eyes. There is no shortage of ideas for creating these special Halloween drinks; it is up to you to find one that will terrify your children while also delighting their taste buds!
3. Make costumes for your children
What would Halloween be without costumes? It is an opportunity for children to step into the shoes of a terrifying pop-culture character and parade through the streets with the goal of collecting as much candy as possible. One or two weeks before October 31, start making the costume your child will wear on the big day. If your child is old enough and nimble with their hands, you can involve them in preparing their own costume. In addition, we recommend paying attention to your child’s wishes and asking whether they would like to become a specific character. Whatever you do, make sure this is an enjoyable experience and try to create the best possible costume for your child!
4. Celebrate the Day of the Dead in your backyard
Having to respect social distancing and all the other precautions related to the pandemic does not prevent you from celebrating the Day of the Dead by lighting a fire in your own backyard. You can invite your neighbors to gather around the fire and take the opportunity to enjoy sweets such as the ever-popular marshmallows. And since the atmosphere is perfect for it, you can bring along a collection of scary stories and tell them around the fire—your audience is sure to be terrified! However, be careful to stay away from the flames, especially if you or your child is wearing a costume with long sleeves.
5. Watch horror movies suitable for children’s ages
Social distancing and all the precautions we must follow because of the pandemic will make this Halloween feel different, for better or worse. That is why we need to adapt to the situation and find other activities that allow us to have fun without putting ourselves in danger or getting sick. In particular, you can take advantage of Halloween evening to introduce your children to a few horror-movie classics suitable for their age. You can consult lists of child-friendly movies on specialized websites. If you are parents of teenagers, you will have many more options, even though not all horror movies are recommended for children under 18.
Protecting yourself and others while still enjoying Halloween
The health situation we are currently experiencing certainly prevents us from living life to the fullest. But as you have seen, with a little ingenuity, creativity, and enthusiasm, we can always find ways to have fun without putting ourselves or those around us in danger. By following the 5 tips in this feature, you are guaranteed to enjoy a deliciously terrifying Halloween!