Ironically, the year that everyone is wearing masks is also the year that Halloween will be different than ever before. It’s been a scary time indeed–but we’ve all learned about ourselves and that we can adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and celebrating holidays like Halloween should be a fun way to prove it!
If Halloween parties and trick or treating are on hold in your neighborhood or you prefer to maintain social distance from any gatherings this year, here are some ways that parents and neighbors can make Halloween as festive as possible and provide some sense of normalcy for kids and families this year.
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Making jack o’ lanterns
If in past years, carving pumpkins wasn’t your thing, it might be worth considering this year. Pumpkins are a great canvas for all sorts of self-expression, and this year we’ll take any outlet we can get. Channel current events–give your jack o’ lantern a mask, or carve or write letters spelling out V-O-T-E as a not so subtle reminder of the next important date on the calendar coming up.
You can have your little ones scribble or paint all over the surface of a pumpkin to produce a proud work of art, and offer your bigger kids some safe, supervised knife skills with a little help from YouTube. You can even upcycle the inside flesh of the pumpkin to use for making pancakes or baking–move over, banana bread!–feed the seeds to birds, and compost the rest in your garden.
Prefer for someone else to create your pumpkin art? Hire a Tasker to help.
Hiring a special trick or treater
Your kids may not be able to go door to door. But what if a very special trick or treater made an appearance? Book a Tasker to dress up and deliver a Halloween gift basket! You can even request a Halloween sing-a-long (a la Christmas caroling) or scary story time on the stoop. This should more than make up for the candy not collected around the neighborhood.
Baking treats
Maybe you forego the candy this year and spend some family time baking instead. This can be a healthier alternative (especially if you repurpose your pumpkin!) while still a sweet indulgence. Getting special baking decorations like googly eyes, or introducing your kids to “dirt and worms” pudding or pie can be fun for the younger crowd.
Organizing a pod party
Many families are already in learning pods to support distanced learning. Within the same group, you could have a small pod party or parade! Weather permitting, activity can be kept outside.
Decorating your home
Establishing or upholding a tradition of using certain dinnerware, napkins, and other decor with a Halloween theme can be a fun way to extend the holiday beyond October 31. Hanging string lights inside or outside your home is always a festive decoration, holiday or not! If you need help, Taskers can shop for decorations as well as hang them up (and take them down, too).
Having a candy hunt
Inspired by Easter egg hunts, hide candy throughout your home and/or yard, and have the kids gather it in their traditional pumpkin/bucket/bag. You can even hang a piñata for the grand finale!
Dressing up as a family
Don’t normally dress up? Think about getting into it this year. It will be fun for the kids to see their parents join in the costumed fun, and will make for excellent holiday card material! For older kids, ask them to get creative and make their own costumes, or encourage them to dress up every day of the week leading up to Halloween.
Involving your pets
Even taking your dog on a Halloween walk is sure to feel festive if the whole crew is dressed up. (Plus, animals in costumes = Instagram gold.)
Donating
Taskers can pick up and deliver costumes. When it’s all over, they can also donate them. Given that most kids grow out of costumes practically the day after they wear them, it’s a nice way to kick off some end of year giving.
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One thing this year’s Halloween may have in common with last year’s? Booking a task to clean up when it’s all over.
