Home Culture & Wellness Quarantine-O-Ween

Quarantine-O-Ween

Written by Marisa Seager

Although this year has been anything but predictable, we can still have control over some of the smaller things. Here are five different ways to celebrate Halloween during the pandemic.

  1. Decorate or carve pumpkins

As simple as this might seem, you can still participate in this tradition! By yourself or with a few friends, get some supplies together and start crafting. If you need inspiration, you can always scroll through Pinterest, like I do from time to time. However, there is always the option of pumpkin kits from retail stores if you aren’t as artistic as others.

  1. Enjoy some Halloween treats

Head to the store and pick up some fun themed cookies, baking mixes or even those that are preassembled and ready to decorate. At this time of the year, there are also some fun ready-to-eat foods that you can purchase, like the Halloween donuts at Krispy Kreme.

  1. Play some spooky themed video games

Even if horror games are not your favorite pick, there are still everyday games that have launched fall and Halloween updates.

  • In “Animal Crossing,” you can now participate in planting and harvesting pumpkins, crafting new fall DIY recipes and purchasing candy daily in preparation for the big event on Halloween night.
  • In “Overwatch,” you can participate in “Halloween Terror 2020,” which is three weeks long. There are weekly challenges, new challenge missions and of course Halloween-themed skins, which can also be obtained from seasonal loot boxes.
  1. Catch a showing at the Grandin Theatre

All month long, this locally owned theatre has been showing weekly movies that are best when watched in the month of October. Just the other weekend I was able to see “The Silence of the Lambs,” which was a great, socially distanced experience. This year they will be showing the classic movie “Scream” on Halloween night at 7:30 p.m. For more information, check out the Grandin Theatre website or Facebook page.

  1. Have an at home movie night

If you are not yet comfortable with the idea of sitting in a theatre or you simply are not in the Salem-Roanoke area, you can always watch at home. There are tons of movies to choose from, especially during this time. Be sure to check television channel guides and other streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.