The night air has grown crisp and in parts of the Southeast, the trees have begun to loosen their leaves. There is something comfortingly eerie about an October night that reminds us all that Halloween is almost here. Soon tiny ghosts, goblins, superheroes, and princesses will gleefully run through the streets and up to your door begging for sweets. Whether you are a raving fan of the spooky holiday or a begrudging participant, there are a few easy ways to ensure that your evening goes off with maybe a witch or two, but no hitches.
Stock up on the sweet stuff
It may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure that your candy arsenal is full prior to the first ring of your doorbell on Halloween night. Failure to secure an adequate supply of candy can lead to countless unanswered knocks at the door, saddened neighborhood children, and future snubs from neighborhood functions. Even if you are not a fan of the holiday, grab a bag of chocolates and smile as you hand out candy to the painted faces of the happy children in your community. If you must abstain from this traditional practice, turn off any front-of-house lights that may beckon revelers to your door.
Set up a spooktacular display
One of many people’s favorite things about Trick-or-Treating as children was seeing an incredibly scary house on their candy route. They would work up every nerve their little bodies could muster and charge triumphantly past the terrifying cobwebs and hanging ghouls to knock on the door and receive a delicious reward for their bravery. The scarier the house, the sweeter the reward felt. Make your house a memorable fixture in someone’s fond Halloween recollections by decking your front entry with some creepy decorations to delight your guests. Even if you would like to shy away from the conventional scary décor, a bunch of happy pumpkins or smiling ghosts will be a welcome reprieve for Trick-or-Treaters. Visit idea-filled sites, or our Pinterest profile, to inspire your inner mad decorator. With plans in hand, dollar stores are a great way to gather items to “creepify” your space - and stay on a budget.
Have a great costume
There is still plenty of time to pull off a winning costume. Take a trip to one of the many seasonal shops around your area to find a plethora of ready-to-wear options. If you are looking for something a little more unique, do a quick Google search for “costume ideas” and you will be presented with a whole world of options that you can make. Pair these ideas with a trip to a thrift store and a sewing machine to make a costume that no one else will have. If you feel like there is no time to break out the sewing machine or make a trip to your local Goodwill, try changing your Google search term to include the phrase “last-minute”. This should provide you with plenty of ways to find the perfect costume right in your closet. If all else fails, you could always use a sharpie and write “This is my costume” on a plain T-shirt. Any of these options, paired with watching some scary movies on a stylish entertainment center from Badcock, should put you in the Halloween spirit in no time.
