Halloween in 2020
I feel like the first sentence of all my blogs this year is something like: Well This will be a Holiday that we will always remember….
And it’s so true ain’t it?
EVERY.DAMN.HOLIDAY this 2020 year will be a holiday we remember because it will not be normal.
We all knew (well I knew in my heart) that Halloween Trick or Treating (as we know it) would be canceled this year. It was just a matter of time before the announcement was made.
So of course, the second I hear this my mind starts racing with: WHAT WILL WE DO THIS YEAR because for me, Halloween can NOT be canceled.
So here’s what I’m thinking….
With schools and the economy open now, we’re learning how to live with Covid until it’s safe to go back to our old lives, right? So how about this…
I’m going to turn my backyard here in Toronto into a haunted pumpkin patch and invite my Covid bubble of family members to join.
Ok here’s how…
1. Invite: I’m going to choose a festive invite from Paperless Post’s Halloween section but you need to help me choose which design because I’m STUCK. They are all so good. Vote for your favorite in the comments below. Here are my faves:
2. Backyard set up: I don’t want to go nuts with spending a lot of money and getting crazy given all that’s going on in the world because what matters right now is SAFETY. But…it’s Halloween so let’s have a little fun shall we…?!
For starters, we always go pumpkin picking in October. So let’s load up with pumpkins, carve the heck outta em, roast the seeds for daily snacks and then get lit on Halloween. Literally. Cover the backyard with Jack-o-lanterns.
Here’s my inspiration for this idea:
To decorate in the yard (I’m thinking around the top of our trampoline) since Maggie and Natalie have taught me how to make a balloon garland I think I can swing creating one in a spooky color palette. Want to create your own balloon garland? Watch our tutorial here.
I also put together a page in the LMP Amazon Shop with my favorite Halloween decorations, crafts and tableware for you guys to browse through and stock up on if you’re hosting in any way.
For me it will be important to use some halloween themed serving-ware such as a large cauldron or punch bowl (will need to hit my sister and cousin up for something to use here…) for mulled spice wine and maybe a deadly tequila station (a suggestion to those who may be celebrating without kids!) at the adults station.
*Covid note: Set out pumps of sanitizer at each station. Make sure you have pre-bottled or poured drinks so that guests can grab and go.
Speaking of stations...let’s discuss:
Fortune teller: Enlist a friend or family member within your bubble to dress up and tell cute fortunes to the kids. Set a table with two chairs, 1 chair set 6 feet apart from where the teller will sit.
Set up or rent a photo booth for the night. Set out props that your guests can keep so there is no cross contaminating - even set a marker out to write names in each so the kids take home the right ones and stay safe.
Create a candy station with pre-filled bags for the kids to grab - each with their name on it.
3. MUSIC: Most important part of the night is the music. Loop a Halloween themed playlist named Thriller. Here’s one that Gavin (DJ Wildman) made last year for the NY Post and he’ll be adding more to it over the next month.
4. Costume: Whatever it is, work it around your mask. Halloween will be pinned as a holiday that causes a covid spread BUT it doesn’t have to be. Do it SAFELY.
