Helen Roth

The coronavirus has brought much uncertainty and disappointment into our lives, but fear not, for this year Halloween will not disappoint. Despite the new COVID regulations, there are still plenty of other ways to enjoy Halloween without going trick or treating and remaining at a safe distance apart.

In light of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the U.K., the government has reinforced the rule of gathering in groups of six and prohibited indoor gatherings. This has proven challenging to enjoy the upcoming holiday: Halloween. 

Nevertheless, there are still plenty of activities that are accessible as a socially-distanced community. Try at least one of these ideas, and it will be ensured that you can still enjoy the holiday. For more information on trick-or-treating guidelines this year, take a look at this article from the BBC for more information. Happy Halloween!

Spooky movie night with friends

Although we are not able to celebrate Halloween in a traditional sense this year, it is still possible to continue old traditions or create new ones with your friends online. Platforms such as Zoom allow you to interact with people from a COVID-friendly distance. 

With the ability to screen-share on Zoom, you and your friends can watch a horror movie together. Another option is an extension available for download in the Chrome Web Store: Teleparty (formerly known as Netflix Party). Teleparty allows you to send a link to anyone else with the application, in which you can watch the same movie at the same time as your friends. There is also a chat room feature that enables you to discuss while watching.

Enjoy some Halloween-themed treats

While you could buy Halloween candy, you could also bake some sweet treats of your own. Recipes for pumpkin-flavored cheesecake, gingerbread vampires, spooky chocolate bark and many other Halloween-inspired desserts can be found here. There is a wide range of ingredients, level of difficulty and prep time, which means there is something for everyone. If you happen to be craving a snack on the healthier side, here is a jack-o-lantern crudités platter. It is vegan, gluten-free, fresh and easy to put together.

Carve a pumpkin

There is no better way to get into the spooky spirit than by carving a pumpkin. Pick one up from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose or your local grocery store. You’ll also need a serrated knife, large serving spoon, permanent marker and a tea light or small candle. Use the knife to cut off the top, but remember to save it so your pumpkin has a lid after it has been carved. Then hollow it by spooning out all the insides. With the permanent marker, draw an outline of the face or shapes you want your pumpkin to have. If you want to get creative with your pumpkin carving, check out this article for ideas. Use the knife again to cut out your design. Lastly, put your tea light or candle inside and close the lid. Now you can leave your spooky jack-o-lantern out for people to admire.

Dress up and decorate

Show your Halloween spirit by dressing up and turning your home into a haunted house. While you may not be able to show off your costumes in public this year, you can still enjoy dressing up at home. If you need inspiration for a last minute costume, check out this link for 65 simple ideas. Some fun activities for decorating could include covering your window in cobwebs, or hanging crafted bats and ghosts from the walls. This will not only get you in the holiday mood, but it will bring your neighbors some entertainment when looking at your house.

Scare someone

It is Halloween after all, so why not try to make someone jump? Whether it be with a ghost story, ominous phone call or prank, it is sure to be a good laugh for everyone involved. Just be sure not to take it too far, otherwise, you might find yourself in a little trouble with a very freaked out friend or family member!