If you have decent weather, one good way to celebrate Halloween in a safe, socially distanced manner is to host an outdoor movie night. All you need is a digital projector, a screen, blankets and chairs, and some seasonal treats and beverages. If it’s a kids’ party, Milwaukee Mom suggests titles such as Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, Addams Family and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. If you’re hosting adults only, you can go gorier with classics such as Halloween and Friday the 13th or any number of spooky genre flicks. #SociallyDistanced #HalloweenTips
Tag: COVID-19
Try an Outdoor Trunk-or-Treat
The Trunk-or-Treat has become “a popular alternative to trick-or-treating” in many areas during the pandemic, says The Curious Frugal. Families put on their costumes, decorate the trunks of their cars and meet at an outdoor location to celebrate and exchange treats. Add a spooky soundtrack, and it’s almost as good as going door-to-door — only safer. “There is a middle ground between doing everything and not being safe or careful, and canceling #Halloween completely,” the story says. #SociallyDistanced #HalloweenTips
Mask Up for a Safe Halloween
Reasonable precautions to observe as you and the family celebrate #Halloween this year include wearing mask to reduce the chance of transmission, says The Conversation. Kids can wear them under their costumes, or incorporate them into the costume itself; adults should wear them when dispensing treats. Have children wash their hands or use sanitizer frequently, especially before eating candy. Celebrating outside reduces the risk of anyone transmitting the virus, and those exhibiting symptoms of illness should get tested and skip the celebrations altogether. #SociallyDistanced #HalloweenTips
How to Hand Out Treats at a Distance
Celebrating a second Halloween under COVID won’t be quite as scary since so many Americans have now been #vaccinated. But common sense will still rule the day: Try to maintain a socially distanced six feet between yourself and strangers when giving out treats, and celebrate outdoors if possible. Cutefetti suggests using a grabber or tongs to hand out candy (no homemade treats, please — only prepackaged ones), or make grab bags to toss to the neighborhood kids or set out for the taking. If you’re feeling handy, you can build a Halloween candy chute for dispensing treats. #HalloweenTips
Start Planning for the Holidays Now
The ongoing supply-chain issues that emerged after the #pandemic have many people wondering if their holiday plans will be upended for a second year in a row in spite of effective vaccines and loosened restrictions.
We at The Organizing Blog can’t predict whether all of the gifts you want to buy will be available, if there will be shortages of turkeys or if your flights will be cancelled. But it can’t hurt to plan ahead!
For example, you might want start shopping for gifts today. CNBC says that consumer demand will be high, while slowdowns at manufacturing facilities and ports of call worldwide will affect supplies of many of the things people want and need.
Think about what the people on your gift list might like starting now. If you can get the jump on buying those things, it will free up more time as the holidays draw near, keep you from stressing about gifts last-minute and spread the costs over several months.
Minted suggests creating a budget and gift list eight weeks out from Christmas — and that’s next week. If you plan to have a family photoshoot, you can also set the date and start getting your mailing list together for holiday cards.
You may also wish to stock up on the foodstuffs you’ll use to create Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. Early in the pandemic, staples such as flour and butter sold out on grocery shelves; buy them now so that you can treat your family to cookies and pies.
A good #decluttering and #cleaning will help prepare your home for holiday parties and other goings-on. Clear and dust any surfaces where you’ll display holiday knickknacks and check the string lights. It will help stage your home for the holidays that much faster.
As for the #stuff you declutter, bag any lightly used clothing and household items and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #donation pickup. Your #donations will be resold to help fund veterans programs, so you’ll be spreading good cheer all season long.
The holidays were stressful enough before the global pandemic, but #COVID-19 has brought new challenges to annual celebrations. Prepare for them early, and you can sail through the holidays with as few disruptions as possible.