By Stephanie Watson
Tons have people have been saying for months now that the holiday season has been cancelled. Uhhh, no way are we accepting that. We may not be able to head to a club, but there’s nothing stopping us from getting spooky in our own homes.
Just think about it, Halloween is mostly about three things: dressing up, watching scary movies, and eating the most sugary and neon colored candy. Sure, partying is cool, but even then all you need to party is some music, and your best dance moves. You don’t really need to go outside for any of that.
So what’s so great about an at-home Halloween, and how can you actually make it fun?
Remember that scene in Mean Girls were the girls use Halloween as an excuse to wear lingerie ...or in truer DLEX form, really going all out with a costume like Cady Heron. Or in Friends when Rachel wore the fancy dress she wouldn’t fit into when her pregnancy bump grew? Halloween is the perfect excuse to literally wear anything you want. So, pull a little black dress out of your closet and add some ears; boom, you’re cat woman. Pull on an old outfit you have been dying (pun intended) to throw back on reference the 80s or 90s. Whip out your over the top jewels, gran a hat, braid your hair, and you’re Beyoncé. And if you want cozy to eat unlimited candy? Onesies work ;)
Speaking of snacking. No matter how old you are, Halloween is mostly about the food; admit it. Candied apples, caramel popcorn, candy-corn, we bet your mouth is watering right now. And have you seen those hyper-realistic cakes that look like brains and creepy haunted dolls? Gross, but tasty when you remember the blood is just strawberry sauce. You can also create some festive cocktails, such as the Pennywise vodka, or the Witches Brew Mocktail. And the best par about a lockdown Halloween? Since most kids won’t be trick or treating this year due to the pandemic, that just means more candy for you...as mean as that sounds.
What’s Halloween without some spooky movies? There are hundreds of “slashics” to choose from. Or dark and atmospheric movies that don’t rely on jump scares or violence, like A Ghost Story, or Corpse Bride. If you’re sick of violence against women and other marginalized folks, there are also a bunch of feminist-friendly horrors and thrillers out there. If you’re stuck on what to watch, and can’t bear the thought of endlessly scrolling through Netflix or Shudder, there are tons of online quizzes and generators out there to lend a hand. If you want to get out of your Elm Street and Exorcist comfort zone, try some independent and foreign horror films also. And be sure to check on Does The Dog Die for various tropes you may feel triggered by.
We know that one of the biggest reasons to celebrate Halloween as an adult is to hang out with your friends, but there’s nothing wrong with partying by yourself. In fact, it can be incredibly relaxing to not worry about arriving somewhere on time, no one showing up, or looking your best for once. You can also get as tipsy as you’d like without feeling embarrassed the next day about saying the wrong thing. You make the rules. Besides, if you’ve already been isolating with a bunch of roommates, your partner, or family, then that’s the guest list sorted out instantly anyway. If you’re looking for some rocking playlists, then Spotify and YouTube have a bunch of spooky bangers. Dim the lights, switch on a disco ball or light up the jack o'lanterns, and start vibing.
How will you spend All Hallows Eve this year? Tag us on Insta @dylanlex if you’re incorporating our jewelry into your costumes! We can’t wait to see how creative you are!