Why are you looking at a graphic of Halloween stuff above?
Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of the world at the moment!
It’s finally Spring, and I want to have some fun after a long and stressful winter.
April is “Halfway to Halloween” month – also known as Halfoween. Thanks to the legions of fans of our coolest October holiday, this pre-celebration six months ahead of time is steadily growing in popularity. I follow someone on Instagram who lives in a town I’d like to live in, Sleepy Hollow, NY, and it’s probably no surprise that the town goes all out for Halfoween. Wish hubby and I could drive down there and join them, but we can’t due to some of the craziness I’m trying to ignore for the coming month.
I’ve been a fan of Halloween from childhood. October 31 was the best night of the year, for several reasons.
- Dressing up as someone from the movies! My mom who was happy to help me make costumes, rejigged from a trunk of old clothing and what few props we could buy at the time.
- Going out after dark without your parents. This gave a certain edge to the night, because there were a few houses in the neighbourhood whose owner we didn’t know, and that looked a little creepy lit only by streetlight.
- To this day, I still feel there’s nothing better than walking under the stars from one jack o’lantern-lit porch to another, with a chill in the air and leaves underfoot.
- Bringing home sacks of candy, and we were allowed to eat as much as we wanted. There was even one house that gave out big popcorn balls, and a hair salon that handed out candy apples. I mean, how much better could things get?
As I grew older, I began holding Halloween parties instead, and those were almost as much fun. In fact, most of my fondest memories from childhood revolve around the Halloween season. I love the classic colour combo of orange and black, and all variations thereof. I love the creepy music. I love vintage horror movies. Halloween decorations (not gory, just fun) always bring a smile to my face.
So Halfoween is right up my alley!
How does one celebrate it in the absence of pumpkins and Halloween candies? Oh, many, many ways. Halfoween is considered a kind of Halloween-‘light’ affair, although of course you can pull out the super-frightening stuff if you wish. But generally, think of a cozier ambience – a Halloween lap blanket, pumpkin pies and cupcakes, hot chocolate with black sprinkles, you get the idea. Make a mug of tea and catch up on your paranormal reading, or watch some of the many vintage horror movies that are more about ambience than blood and guts. Some of my favourite lighter modern movies include:
- Hocus Pocus (of course)
- Halloweentown (and sequels)
- Girl Vs Monster
- The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
A Halfoween party would be an option! If I weren’t so busy working on my horror novel, I’d consider it! Supplies are all around if you know where to look. Most bakeries now offer pumpkin pie year-round, although baking your own is easy, fun and therapeutic. I even found orange-frosted cupcakes in the bakery section of a local grocery store the other day, and, although I didn’t ask, it wouldn’t surprise me if they were willing to custom-bake a Halloween-themed cake.
Boutique stores are popping up all over with esoteric offerings, if you need or want some decor. And while fresh pumpkins are still out of season, it wouldn’t be difficult to put together an autumnal flower arrangement in a vase – there are plenty of orange and purple-coloured flowers around, even in grocery stores. I bought a spring planter today for our front porch that has some glorious orange and burgundy pansies in it.
So that’s my choice of sheer fun for April. I’ve already pulled out a few Halloween decorations, and no doubt plenty of pumpkin-flavoured baked treats will begin making an appearance as well. More ideas in my April newsletter – sign up via the pop-up box on this website (it’s the double opt-in box, make sure you’ve selected the right one).
What would you like to do for fun for the month? Think way outside the box – what’s something you might not ordinarily consider? This is a mental vacation from global stress, so make it good. And let me know what you come up with – perhaps you’ll inspire others to do the same.