With each passing day, more and more seems as if it is being taken from us. For most of the summer, we could not eat out at our favorite restaurants. There were times we couldn’t even go fishing on the weekend. If there were one thing 2020 could be known for, it would be the year that we could do nothing at all. Well, I, Mark Roemer, will not let this year take another celebration day from me. I might be doing it just for myself, but that is fine. I fully plan on making the best of Halloween this year while physically distancing from others. I hope that you plan on decorating your house or apartment as well. If you need any ideas, I have gathered a few that you are more than welcome to steal from me.
On a side note, I would like to say that before you decide on throwing a Halloween party, you do the math and determine if it is worth it. I will not have a Halloween party this year, but I will illusion that nothing has changed. Without further ado, I present you with Halloween decorating ideas for your apartment (or your house).
Pumpkins and Gourds
When people think of Halloween, their mind immediately goes to pumpkins. I want to bring awareness that you can use other gourds for your Halloween festivities. Pumpkins come in a variety of different colors, and I suggest you use them as well. I rather like the look of a white or multi-hued pumpkin. Carve them up or leave them whole and paint them. Whatever your choice, nothing says Halloween quite like a few pumpkins dotted around your house.
If you decide to carve your pumpkins, make sure you use the seeds to make a tasty treat. It is quite simple. Once you have gutted your pumpkin, discard the slimy bit and retain all the seeds. Please give them a quick rinse under cold water. Allow them to dry and then pop them in the oven with neutral cooking oil and salt. Allow them to cool before consuming.
You can later use your pumpkin for a lovely holiday treat for those who decide to only stencil on a face. I will let you do the research, but you can find numerous pumpkins recipes if you are so inclined. I am partial to pumpkin pie, but I heard pumpkin soup or pumpkin risotto are very lovely as well.
Lighting
When it comes to holiday lights, Christmas is king. Well, move over Christmas, Halloween wants a go at some lights and decorations.
One way to get lights into your celebration is to make them yourself. In the year 2020, there is likely an abundance of toilet paper and other rolled papers lying around your house. Instead of throwing them out, you can use them for lighting and decoration at the same time.
All you need to do is use your toilet paper roll (or cut a paper towel roll down to the size of a toilet paper roll), some hot glue, fishing string, a needle, white paint, and small battery-powered tea candles. Apply the hot glue to the roll to make it look like wax dripping from the top. Once the glue sets, apply white paint to the roll and allow it to dry. Poke holes near the top so that the tea candle can sit just above the top. Make a cradle for the candle with a fishing line by poking holes in the roll and weaving the line in and out of the holes. Don’t forget to allow extra to hang the candles. It will give you a Harry Potter vibe or even a spooky floating candle vibe.
Accessories
If you are looking to avoid going to the store for additional Halloween decorations, I have a couple more ideas for that as well. Hopefully, you have some extra craft and hobby paint lying around. All you need to do is paint some jars or tins black or yellow, white, and orange. It will give the feel of Halloween. To add to this, you can pop some candy inside and set them around the house. That way, anytime you or someone in your family is looking for a sweet treat, a Halloween inspired decoration will greet them.
Exterior
I have been focused on the interior, but the exterior of your apartment needs some love as well. I don’t have any ideas for the outside of the house that don’t involve a shopping trip. That doesn’t mean you should disregard them.
Pick up some of that spider webbing and drape it over your balcony or plants. It is an excellent way to give a spooky look to your house or apartment. Additionally, you could hang some of those “floating candles” in the trees around your complex. They didn’t cost you much, so don’t worry about someone taking them.
Another great way to make your house look Halloween ready is by buying skeleton parts and placing them around your apartment. You could even make graves and have the skeletons “escaping” for a bonus look of spooky.
Conclusion
I, Mark Roemer, think you would be hard-pressed to find someone that says this year hasn’t been a train wreck. However, life is what we make of it. Take some time, think of new ways to add to the Halloween festivities, and don’t hesitate to share them with people. I know I only provided you with a few ways to spruce up your house for Halloween, but at least it is something. Don’t let this horrible year take all the fun out of Halloween. We may not get to have a party, the kids may not get to go out trick or treating, but we can take back the fun and celebration, even if it is only with our immediate family. Don’t forget to decorate outside so that people are reminded what time of year this is. Halloween can be quite fun when you think outside the box. I hope you have a great Halloween. Remember, if you are going to have a party, be safe.