It’s the spookiest time of the year with Halloween upon us this weekend! Of course, the holiday is going to look extremely different this year thanks to the COVID-19 global pandemic, with trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, gatherings and more, all effectively banned under the current lockdown regulations across the country.
Despite the current circumstances, there are still plenty of ways you can enjoy the spooky season whilst still adhering to social distancing and lockdown measures. Here at Intus Lettings we’ve decided to compile together some of the best things to do on Halloween during a pandemic!
1. Decorate, decorate, and decorate!
Whilst there won’t be any trick-or-treaters this Halloween, you can still get yourself into the holiday mood by going the extra mile when decorating your house! There is so much to choose from when it comes to decorations, from stretchable spider webs to Halloween lanterns, Garden Slate tombstones to carved pumpkins (we’ll touch on this later) – the options are endless and most items can be ordered online.
In areas across the country where non-essential items are restricted in shops, or even if you just want a challenge, why not try your hand at making your own decorations? Try googling some Halloween images or templates and add your own creative touch to them. It could make for a really enjoyable activity for both individuals and families alike!
2. Have a scary movie marathon!
One of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit is through horror films. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to at home streaming services, so why not make the most of what’s on offer.
Disney+ offers some spooky family classics, including Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie; Netflix boasts the 2018 Halloween reboot, The Conjuring and Hereditary; and Amazon Prime features the likes of The Woman in Black, The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity to name a few. Why not grab some spooky snacks and delve into some of the all-time horror classics?
If you’d rather head out and catch a film instead, plenty of places across the nation have embraced the drive-in movie format. It offers a safe way to keep within your bubble whilst experiencing the big screen. You’re sure to find somewhere near you that’s showing a horror flick if you look online.
3. Pick and carve a pumpkin!
The latest craze that has taken over social media in the last week or so has been pumpkin picking. Many families are ditching the usual store-bought pumpkins to embark on the pumpkin picking experience instead to get into the Halloween mood. It’s a great way to make a day out of it before heading home and carving something into your chosen pumpkin. This could be a spooky face, a witch’s hat, or even more intricate designs such as written messages, favourite photos or even the Death Star.
4. Halloween themed baking!
Baking was one of the most popular past times during the initial lockdown here in the UK. Home baking sales soared as people looked to beat the lockdown boredom by baking things like bread, cakes, cookies and more – so why not spook it up?
Get festive with your baked goods, decorating your cakes and cookies with ghosts, spiderwebs, pumpkins and broomsticks to name a few. A fun and rewarding activity, with (hopefully) tasty results!
5. Head online with your friends and/or family!
One app that saw its popularity completely soar during lockdown was video conferencing software, Zoom. Arguably the hardest part of this whole situation is the fact that millions are unable to see their loved ones in person. Friends are unable to gather, couples who live apart are unable to see one another and families who are spread out are forced to stay that way. It can be a lonely time, but one way to help with the loneliness is to video chat with your loved ones online.
Between yourselves you could have Halloween themed Zoom calls with friends and family; dressing up for the camera and utilising Zoom’s virtual backgrounds, hosting spooky themed quizzes or even trying your hand at a horror themed online escape room!
Whilst there’s no doubt that Halloween this year is going to be extremely different to years prior, there is still plenty on offer to keep yourself busy over the Halloween weekend and embrace the horror-tastic holiday.
Happy Halloween from us here at Intus Lettings!
