Fun ways to stay spooky, safe and socially distant this Hallo-weekend

With COVID restrictions in place by San Luis Obispo county this year, Halloween plans may look a lot different for some people. Here are some fun ways to celebrate the beloved holiday while keeping you and your loved ones safe. 

 

 

Decorations:

Decorating your living space with halloween decorations is fairly inexpensive and an easy way to get into the Halloween spirit. Items such as candles, mini skeletons, themed garland, and much more can be found around San Luis Obispo at places like Target, Party City, and even grocery stores. 

Some do it yourself decorations can include carving pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns and making a “spider web” out of colored yarn.

 

Another fun activity involving decorations could be driving around the residential neighborhoods to see the fun decorations people have in their yard. This playlist curated by Jenna Skye contains all the iconic Halloween songs, perfect for the drive.

Pumpkin Patch:

Avila Valley Farm is located right off the 101 and is a family-owned operation that currently offers pumpkin picking, animal feeding and a sunflower patch and pumpkin river for picture taking. In past years, they offered tractor and pony rides, but are not doing that this year due to COVID safety measures.

“We have numerous different age groups that come to visit. I think it is a fun environment to be in and, even though we can’t do as much as we usually do, there is still plenty to choose from,” said Avila Valley Farm employee and Environmental Management and Protection junior Ellie Howell.

 

The barn has a bakery on site where customers can purchase homemade pies, breads, and other pastries.

 

Open all week until 6pm, making the short trip to the Avila Valley Farm is a great way to safely celebrate Halloween while supporting a local family business. 

Host a Zoom Halloween Party:

By this point in the pandemic, nearly everyone has been acquainted with zoom one way or another, so why not get into the Halloween spirit quarantine style with a zoom party?

There are plenty of festive ideas for a spooky zoom meeting this season with virtual haunted houses, costume contests, ghost stories, spooky backgrounds, scary movie marathons, Halloween themed drinking games, and much more. 

 

A virtual Halloween is not what we are used to, but it can still be fun! You can even make it more exciting by sending out real party invitations in the mail and accessorizing them with scary decorations. 

 

A zoom Halloween party is a great way to ensure everyone you are celebrating with is not exposing themselves to the virus and still have a fabulous Halloween. 

 

 

Make a Spooky Cocktail (or Mock-tail):

Whether it is a zoom drinking game or socially distanced gathering, a spooky cocktail – or a “special witch’s brew” – will liven up any part. Guaranteed. 

 

First order of business when making this kind of drink is getting dry ice. It will create that witch’s brew fantasy, keeping the Halloween spirit alive.

 

Putting punch or alcoholic drinks into a cauldron is another way to keep the festivities on brand for Halloween. However, to maintain safety precautions, it is probably best that everyone has their own individual drink. In that case, Halloween decorated cups, challices and goblets are wonderful ways to spice up your party on zoom or in person. You can buy these at any party supply store, Target or Walmart. 

 

Even if you are not 21 yet or do not drink alcohol, you can still make a “witch’s potion” with a little dry ice, decorated cups and some Halloween spirit. 

 

 

Decorate Face masks:

If you want to go with the theme of 2020 while celebrating Halloween, decorating a face mask is the perfect option. 

 

This is a really fun activity you can do with friends and family to get ready for a drive by event, a San Luis Obispo Halloween parade in the park or a small gathering. You can even paint your mask to fit whatever costume you may be wearing, which you could be really creative with. 

 

Acrylic paint (non-toxic) is best to use for the face masks because of its pretty shine and how it adheres to masks. Using markers or special pens are also really good to use. You can get any of these at arts supply stores, Joanne’s, Michael’s, and other party supplies stores. Decorating goes beyond paint as well. You can hot glue rhinestones, sequins, or anything else on the mask to your liking.

 

With some fun Halloween music and spooky drinks, this will make for a great activity to get in the Halloween spirit in 2020.