Remember the good old days of dressing up in over-priced costumes, when little kids could transform into their favorite superheroes, Disney princesses, or spooky monsters? Then they’d go from house to house, demanding that adults hand over their candy on the threat of receiving a trick, rather than a treat? Yep, good times. Unfortunately, this year may not be filled with the same charming whimsy that normally fills each child’s heart when they skip from house to house, holding a plastic pumpkin in their arms. Instead, whimsy will be replaced with genuine fear. Ironically, Halloween may indeed be the ideal holiday to represent the current events that have forced doors to be boarded and faces to be covered. Since the CDC has advised against trick-or-treating this year, many teens may be wondering what they will be doing this Halloween. Read on for some ideas about how to spend quarantine Halloween.
1. Scary Movies with Friends
This long-lived tradition has been the go-to way to spend Halloween for many teenagers. Now that Halloween has fallen on a Saturday (finally), this would be the ideal opportunity to curl up indoors, microwave some popcorn, and warn characters on a TV screen not to go into the basement. Still, what would make this horror movie night even more fun would be enjoying it with friends. This may not seem too realistic with the “quarantine Halloween” happening this year; however, this may be the ideal time to try out Teleparty, formerly known as Netflix Party, to watch some great movies and TV shows virtually with friends. Plus, it costs no money to add Teleparty as a browser extension. According to the Chrome web store, “Teleparty is a browser extension for watching tv remotely with friends, e.g., for movie nights with that long-distance special someone. It synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite streaming sites.” Now, teens can watch their favorite Netflix horror movies with their friends with a watch party, enjoying Halloween while staying safe.
2. Go “Ghosting”
Usually, the word “ghosting” has negative connotations. When you get “ghosted” by a friend or significant other, that normally doesn’t create a warm, fuzzy feeling. However, this year, “ghosting” will be given a new, far better definition. Instead of trick or treating, in which adults surrender their hard-earned candy to demanding children (clearly an exaggeration), “ghosting” creates a festive way to spread holiday spirit without interacting with others face-to-face. Goodhousekeeping.org describes ghosting as “when you create a treat bag of goodies for a friend or neighbor and leave it on their doorstep with a note inside to pass it on, as in, create a new treat bag and ‘ghost’ someone else. It's a festive way to spread some socially distanced holiday cheer.” This new activity also goes by another name: “Booing.” AFHS has decided to embrace the Halloween spirit, as the student council has challenged each student to "Red, White, and Boo!" at least five friends from Apex Friendship. According to the AFHS website, Booing can be done when students “print off 5 of these flyers, put them on the front of bags filled with your favorite Halloween candy or fun school supply, and drop them off at your friends' doorsteps. The event runs October 12th through 31st.” This year, try a reverse trick-or-treating experience to share the Halloween spirit with friends and neighbors.
3. Host a Virtual Halloween Party
What better way to spend a Saturday night than at a party? Though it may be more difficult to throw a fun Halloween bash this year, seeing how the guests would not be able to walk through the door, perhaps teens can create a virtual Halloween party instead. Simply create a spooky e-invitation for close friends and get started on the party details. Step 1: Location. Choose a virtual platform to host the party, from Zoom to Hangouts, and send the link to friends. Step 2: Decor. Thebash.com says, “Along with jack o lanterns and faux spider webs strewn about your desk, a virtual Halloween background is key to the virtual Halloween party ambiance.” Check out these free backgrounds to get started. Step 3: Playlist. How can a Halloween party be complete without “Monster Mash” blaring in the background? Compile some of the most cliché spooky songs into a playlist to blast during the party. For some added fun to liven up the party, buy the Jackbox Party Pack to play party games online as a group, available on both PC and Mac. Finally, sit back and enjoy the successful Halloween party that has joined guests together to talk, laugh, and experience what will likely be the most memorable year for Halloween since it first began.
Celebrating the only holiday that revolves around fear and terror may be oddly appropriate this year. In fact, the masks, gloves, and unstoppable panic enveloping practically the entire world in 2020 perfectly resemble the essence of Halloween, and yet, everyone has been encouraged to stay indoors and continue staying six feet apart. Still, that doesn’t mean that quarantine Halloween should not be celebrated. Consider an alternate form of celebration this year to keep the holiday spirit alive and share it with others.
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