1. Dressing up, duh.
Planning a fun costume will always be my favorite part about Halloween. You’re absolutely never too old to dress up and get to be someone different for one night. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids, drinking the night away at a killer party, or bringing a bit of role-play into the bedroom, a Halloween costume is a must. And while store bought can be pretty and simple, isn’t there something so satisfying about Pinteresting, thrift store shopping, and getting your craft on to make your own original costume?
2. Scary movies.
Netflix and chill is so much better when you have an excuse to cuddle. And hey, if they horror movie you turned on ends up being more ridiculous than frightening, enjoy the campiness of it…or turn your partner on instead.
3. Decorations.
I’m normally terrified of spiders and freaked out by the thought of ghosts, but there’s something so fun about putting up Halloween decorations all over your house or apartment. Maybe you’re creative and have enough space to pull off a haunted house for the night! But if that’s not the case, adding a little spook to your home makes the entire month of October feel like its Halloween. However, if you don’t like the creepy stuff, celebrate autumn with colorful wreaths and pumpkins!
4. Jack o’lanterns.
I personally suck at carving pumpkins, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy looking at the crazy things people come up with. In fact, watching how creative other people can get is what makes the weeks leading up to Halloween so excited. Even if you don’t have the skills to make a DIY costume or make an epic scarecrow, it’s cool to see what other people come up with.
5. Fall festivals!
For once, it doesn’t matter whether you live in the city or country during autumn. There’s plenty to do! Farms have pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and haunted hayrides. Head downtown to celebrate Oktoberfest, go to a costume party at your favorite club, or take a ghost tour. Check out smaller suburban towns for scarecrow festivals and street fairs.
6. Sweets.
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. It’s fun to go out and trick-or-treat, but there are so many Halloween-themed cocktails, too, not to mention all of that pumpkin spice floating around. Stock up on your PSL K-cups while you can!
7. Sweet TV line-up.
Horror movies and Harry Potter on cable all month, your go-to seasonal family favorites, and creepy shows like American Horror Story and The Walking Dead making a return. Not to mention the fact that football, hockey, and basketball are all on TV, as well as the usually exciting baseball post-season. This year, Americans are additionally #blessed with the thrill and horror of 2016 election coverage.
8. Plenty of opportunities to socialize.
The cool weather makes it ideal to spend time outdoors, while the holiday provides lots of opportunities to party with friends and enjoy quality time with family. This year, Halloween falls on a Monday, so you can spend the weekend hitting up themed parties and haunted houses with your friends, then take your little cousins trick-or-treating Monday evening.
9. …and it’s snuggle weather, too.
Maybe you’re not a party animal or don’t like spending time with your family. Halloween is perfect for that, too. Wrap yourself up in your favorite sweatshirt, make some hot apple cider, and watch scary movies alone. If you dare, leave that porch light on and let the trick-or-treaters startle you out of your solo terror.
10. It’s only once a year.
I love dressing up. I love pumpkin spice. And I love horror movies. If you don’t feel the same way, you only have to go through the lead-up hype throughout October. It’ll be over soon. And if you love the holiday as much as I do? Sure, it’s over all too quickly come November 1st, but that just gives you another 364 days to plan for next year’s epic costume.