11 Halloween Traditions to Start This Year

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I like that Halloween is only one day a year.

Yes, you read that correctly. I have a blast looking for ways to celebrate it all year long on Spooky Little Halloween, but if I was ever given the option to truly celebrate Halloween every day or once a year, I’d pick once a year for a very simple reason: it makes my Halloween traditions special.

Traditions are such an important part of celebrating a holiday. They mark the passing of time, they are something familiar and they give you something to look forward to enjoying! In 2020, especially, I think we could all use something familiar and that we enjoy. Read more about my Halloween traditions.

Since we’ll all likely be spending a bit more time around the house this October, why not start a new Halloween tradition with your family, your friends or even just yourself?

 

11 Halloween Traditions to Start This Year

 

1. Decorate Your Home

I know you probably do this already – or maybe you leave your decor up all year! But this year, I encourage you to make it an event. Pick a weekend afternoon to dedicate to decorating. Put on some spooky music (need a playlist?), watch your favorite Halloween and horror movies and drink a spooky cocktail.

Looking for decorating ideas and inspiration? I’ve got a few

 

2. Host a Halloween Movie Night

One of my favorite Halloween memories – which no one else in my family remembers – is the October we watched old school horror movies together. These days, movies are one of those things that quickly fall down the priority list, but that changes when I need to stay closer to home.

Pick a night of the week (Monster Mondays, Witchy Wednesdays…) and watch a Halloween or horror movie weekly. Pick a theme and decide every movie you watch in October has to fit it. You could go about a million different directions with this!

Bonus points: you could totally do this over Zoom or FaceTime with friends or family.

Need a list to get you started? Check out this one my friend Matt made for me.

 

3. Make Classic Treats

This is one of those things I always want to do and also let fall down my priority list as the season goes on. This year, make it a point to enjoy a classic treat!

Popcorn balls, caramel or candy apples and even Devil’s Food cupcakes are considered classic Halloween treats. Set aside an evening or afternoon to make one of these – maybe before your movie night!

Need a super easy popcorn ball recipe? I’ve got one!

 

4. Halloween Elf of the Shelf

Fun fact: the classic Elf on the Shelf…terrifies me. I just don’t trust his shifty little eyes or that mischievous face. He kind of reminds me of Chucky…

That alone would make him a perfect cross-over item for Halloween, but you can also create your own elf for October. It could be a pumpkin, a witch, a skeleton – whatever you have on hand! Let it pop up October 1 and have some fun all month long.

There are several products like this out there as well. My fave I’ve seen lately? The Doll in the Hall – the face is gorgeous and who isn’t terrified of dolls?

 

5. Carve Jack-o-Lanterns

If you’ve hung around Spooky Little Halloween for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard me go on about how much I love carving pumpkins. It’s definitely my favorite part of Halloween.

Who says you have to wait until October 31st to carve a pumpkin? This year, try carving a few throughout the season! It’ll also give you a chance to do different designs and faces.

Check out my tips for pumpkin carving.

 

6. Send a Scare Package

Have a friend or family member who loves Halloween as much as you? Send them a Halloween care package, aka a scare package, with some tricks and treats just for fun!

Include things like prepackaged candy, Halloween stickers, a card and maybe even a piece of decor or two. I’ll be sharing more scare package ideas later this month.

Have a kiddo who could use a little Halloween fun this year? Check out the Halloween Fun Pack Project.

 

7. 31 Days of Halloween Outfits

My ghoul Penny from The Sconnie Sling gets major credit for this idea after I revisited her 31 days of Halloween outfits post from 2019.

Challenge yourself to wear a Halloween T-shirt, dress or accessory every single day in October. It can be as simple as wearing Halloween colors too. Bonus points if you incorporate costume elements, like cat ear headbands or a mask!

Looking for ideas or new items? Check out these posts.

 

8. Send Halloween Cards

Some days in 2020, going to my mailbox has been the most exciting part of my day. Halloween cards are such an easy way to make someone’s day!

Make or buy your own Halloween cards to send out to friends and family. Here are some of my favorites.

Don’t forget to pick up some Halloween stamps from the USPS!

 

9. Costume Dinners

Much like pumpkin carving, who says costumes are only for Halloween night? If you have a family or roommates, pick a night to have dinner together…in costume. You could even give this a theme, like witches, and make an entire menu based around the theme!

Check out the costume archives if you need a little inspiration.

 

10. Take a Pumpkin Walk

I’ve never done this, but it sounds like a blast! Take a walk through your neighborhood a night or two before Halloween and count how many jack-o-lanterns you spot.

Really, you could do this with any Halloween icon – skeletons, spiders, even inflatables. This is also a fun way to enjoy your neighbor’s décor!

And if you need a little inspiration for your own outdoor decor, check out this post.

 

11. Create a Themed Playlist

Music is such an important part of setting the Halloween mood for me. Each year, I create a playlist just for the blog with a theme in mind.

Read my tips for creating a killer Halloween playlist, then try creating your own and listen to it all October long!

And if you need somewhere to start…I’ve got you covered.

 

 

What Halloween traditions are you celebrating this year?

If you have one to add to my list – or have a unique tradition of your own – share it in the comments! I’d love to hear your ideas too.

I hope this list has gotten you excited for Halloween season…and maybe trying something new!

 

Happy haunting,

 

 

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween

Miranda is the Houston-based writer, blogger, and Halloween lover behind Spooky Little Halloween, the blog celebrating October 31st all year long. Her favorite Halloween things include pumpkin guts, chocolate bars in her trick-or-treat pail, real haunted houses (including the one she lives in!), and historic cemeteries.

12 Comments

  1. Reply

    Kristen

    August 12, 2020

    Hey Miranda,

    These ideas are great! You’re really raising my spirits up with all this Halloween/Quarantine content.

    My SO isn’t a big Halloween fan but he knows how important my annual party is to me. He helps me host it every year and I was devastated when we decided to cancel the party (for responsible safety reasons). As awful as cancelling was, I do think just having a chill night of themed snacks and watching spooky movies together will be perfect! We might even host a micro movie-viewing party over zoom if my friends are up to it! As long as we are safe, we can still be spooky! :)

    • Reply

      Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween

      August 13, 2020

      Yay! I am thrilled you’re enjoying these ideas and still finding a way to have a party – even if it’s a micro party for two, Kristen. :)

  2. Reply

    Jeff Carter

    August 12, 2020

    Great list!
    Every walk is a pumpkin walk until the last one is gone. I was discussing with some peeps how a new tradition could be ‘the rotting of the pumpkins’, where we observe the true face of fall in every withering jack-o’lantern.

    If you want to get really traditional with your treats you could try baking ‘soul cakes’.

    I’m bummed that we won’t be able to throw our annual pumpkin carving party (after a decade of going strong) but I did try the Amazon and Netflix watch party features and they were surprisingly fun and easy to set up.

    Happy Halloween, everyone!
    Jeff C. Carter

  3. Reply

    Ellen

    August 12, 2020

    Thanks Miranda for your great ideas. I was thinking today how i am going to carve pumpkins this yr & place them out for the kids. Even if halloween is canceled, i will leave out a bowl of candy bags & light the pumpkins for the gouls who are like we all were, in love with the holiday.
    Another thing that is easy to do is to hang some little orange lights in your home and light each nite for your own enjoyment.

  4. Reply

    Alison

    August 15, 2020

    I love all these ideas. Living in England where Halloween is barely acknowledged, decorating, themed movie nights and treats are exactly the thing for me to do celebrate the season! Good news though, this should be my last Halloween here. I am so looking forward to proper Halloweens in Canada again next Fall!

  5. Reply

    Shannon

    August 16, 2020

    The tradition that will be missed this year is the Halloween party for the neighborhood. All of the kids who go to the bus stop and their families are invited and come around to our place. I decorate every inch and have all kinds of spooky treats, bringing what you like optional (two friends brought amazing 7-layer graveyard dip and popcorn balls last year) I have spooky pumpkin bean bag toss and skeleton bowling, I have bobbing for apples and monster music freeze dancing. The kids end up jumping in the massive leaf piles at some point, and it is a crazy banger no one wants to leave (I plan for 1.5hrs of activities , they usually stay 2.5-3) We are sadly moving away so we’ll miss it. Due to restrictions it’ll probably evolve into a family party in our new house, but I will be boiled in oil if I ever cancel.

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