One way to create a checklist...
Your preparation checklist for Halloween will vary. Here are some starting thoughts...
For going trick-or-treating[]
- Decide on and make or buy a costume (see "For a costume" section below)
- Make sure you have appropriate reflectors, flashlights and other devices that make it safer to wander around after dark
- Have something to carry your treats in
- Arrange for appropriate groups
- Younger trick-or-treaters generally have a parent, grandparent, older sibling or other care-giver accompanying them.
- Older children may travel in groups or accompany a younger relative. (See ideas for group costumes)
- Adults may travel in groups, accompany a younger relative, or go on their own.
- If you're new to an area, learn the locally acceptable times and places for trick-or-treating
- Some places have a Halloween parade.
- Some places have set start and curfew times for trick-or-treaters.
- Other places have a trick-or-treating party or "fair". Everyone gets together in a school, park, parking lot or other spot. The "adults" set up stands, booths or maybe use the back of the truck or a small wagon, and the trick-or-treaters wander around from booth to booth. If desired, security can be set up around the perimeter to ensure children don't wander off without the proper adult and to make sure that only screened treats are given out.
For receiving trick-or-treaters[]
The ideas about what are "acceptable" treats may vary by location.
- wrapped, store-bought candy is common
- "party favor"-like or inexpensive toys are a good alternative
- For instance you can sometimes buy bags of small Play-Do™ canister. Each canister costs less than a regular size candy bar bought in bulk.
- Small bouncy balls (often found in the party favor section of a store)
- Glow sticks and glow bracelets
- Bubble wands
- Keychains
- Halloween-themed stationery (pencils, erasers, etc.)
- Stickers
- Temporary tattoos
- Fidget toys
For holding a party[]
In addition to normal party preparations, such as sending out invitations, planning food and drinks, entertainment, a Halloween party provides "scope for imagination".
Try a few "scary" foods: recipes
Have a supply of apples ready for apple bobbing
Consider entertaining with thematic : ghost story, pumpkin carving contest (or painting for younger guests) or haunted house
Ideas for Halloween decorations
For a costume[]
Decide what to be, buy, make (or combination of purchases and creativity) a costume See ideas on this wiki for costumes, and in some cases, how to make them.
Getting into the spirit[]
- Visit a local forest or natural area to view the changing leaves.
- Gather leaves and determine the species of tree that they originated from.
- If there isn't any fall foliage where you live, look around to see if there have been any little exterior changes since fall arrived.
- Visit your neighborhood shops and look through their extensive inventory of Halloween decorations.
- Spirit Halloween, The Home Depot, Lowes, CVS, Sam's Club, Costco, Big Lots, HomeSense, HomeGoods, Cracker Barrel, and Walmart are reputable retailers that carry Halloween decorations and other Halloween-related goods.
- Order limited-time Halloween menu items available at your neighborhood coffee shop, brewery, or fast-food joint.
- Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte is one example.
- A nearby grocery store may also carry limited-edition Halloween menu items, such pumpkin pie, tortellini shaped like a pumpkin and a bat, and Pillsbury pumpkin sugar cookies.
- Take a stroll in your neighborhood at night till midnight, searching for animals that are characteristic of the season, like owls, bats, mice, different varieties of moths, and sly predators like foxes and coyotes.
- Only do this if your neighborhood is safe at night from criminal activity and make sure to stay in well-lit areas (eg. staying out of the woods and alleyways).
- Watch a Halloween movie.
- Take pictures with friends at night wearing ghost sheets with black sunglasses.
- This is exceptionally popular amongst teenagers in October, don't be surprised if you see other teenagers doing the same thing!
- Set the mood by playing Halloween music.
- Put up numerous Halloween decorations in your room.
- Orange string lights, tiny jack-o-lanterns, and even misting your home with pumpkin-scented spray are some examples.