There's no such thing as a bad Halloween (except in horror movies), but you can make your holiday even sweeter and spookier with a little inspiration and some great ideas. From trick-or-treating tips to the best Halloween quotes and jokes, there are so many ways to add even more spine-tingling fun to your celebration this year.
Take Trick-or-Treating to the Next Level
Trick-or-treating is a beloved Halloween tradition and an important part of the festivities for many families. Although people saying "trick or treat" probably came about in the 1920s, the history of trick-or-treating may actually date back to the Middle Ages.
New Twists on the Tradition
This custom is still evolving, with creative ideas and fun trick-or-treating alternatives taking the place of some of the standard traditions. From making your own trick-or-treat buckets to putting together the perfect boo basket, there are lots of options for adding your own spooky spin.
If you want to be inclusive of kiddos with allergies, discover how a teal pumpkin can help you show kids that you have allergen-free goodies.
Trick-or-Treating Etiquette
There's more to the tradition of trick-or-treating than dressing up in a costume, knocking on doors, and demanding a treat. There are etiquette rules surrounding this custom, including saying "please" and "thank you," not stopping by too late, and being the right age. It's perfectly okay to try some alternative trick-or-treat sayings as long as you're polite and friendly.
Enjoyment for All Ages
While traditional trick-or-treating is mostly limited to school-aged kids, things are changing. It can be difficult to know how old is too old to trick-or-treat, even though some communities have laws that specify an age range. However, some adults are taking back the tradition and finding ways to enjoy some grown-up trick-or-treating in the form of pub crawls, house crawls, and trick-or-drink events.
Get Your Home Ready for Haunting
When trick-or-treaters come to the door, greet them with some scary Halloween decorations. Many people start decorating for Halloween around the beginning of October, but the right time for you will depend on your schedule and any events you might be hosting. From scary door decorations to trick-or-treat welcome signs, there are lots of ways to add a little creep factor to your home.
Want to save a little money and still have great Halloween decor? Check out our designer-inspired Dollar Tree Halloween decor ideas!
Create the Best Halloween Ever With Your Pet
Sure, we all love trick-or-treating with kids and dressing up ourselves, but that doesn't mean our furry friends can't join in the fun, too. From taking your dog trick-or-treating (hint: it's all about training) to making pumpkin dog treats, there are tons of ways to include your pet in your celebration of the spookiest holiday.
Related: Raise the Woof With a Dog Halloween Party That's the Bark of the Town
Are you getting a new pet during this fun-filled holiday? You can totally name your fur baby something seasonal! Get inspired with the perfect Halloween cat names or the most spooktacular dog names for your new friends.
Halloween Myths About Pets
It's also fun to learn about some of the pet-related myths and superstitions that go along with this season. We all know that black cats are supposed to be bad luck, but did you know that if a cat shows up at your house, it might mean good luck? It's pretty entertaining to read all the cat superstitions, especially during the Halloween season.
Cats aren't the only ones with Halloween myths, either. Learn what it might mean when your dog howls at nothing or a stray dog wanders up to you during the days around All Hallows' Eve. There are a bunch of fascinating dog superstitions you'll love.
Related: Halloween Pet Safety — Essential Tips to Keep Everyone Safe
Spooky Pet Humor
Sure, Halloween is supposed to be a little scary, but there's no rule that says it can't be funny, too — especially when it comes to animals. Brush up on some hilarious Halloween cat puns and the funniest spooky dog jokes to have everyone howling this Halloween season.
Related: 17 Funny Halloween Dog Pictures for Spooky Silliness
Make Your Halloween Party Unforgettable
No matter what age you are, there's nothing like the frightful fun of a Halloween party. In order to make your bash a success, consider every aspect of the event.
If you're hosting a Halloween party this year, you'll want to start planning at the beginning of October. Give guests at least a couple weeks of notice once you set the day and time, since people tend to get pretty busy with spooky celebrations.
Creepy Locations
Choose the perfect place for your Halloween event. Some events need bigger venues, such as school and community Halloween festivals. Others, like smaller parties, can happen at a house or restaurant. A Halloween baby shower or spooky birthday party can vary in size, so you should consider how many guests you'll have when you choose a location. You can even have an outdoor Halloween party if the weather cooperates.
Spooktacular Invitations
Once you have a location, it's time to invite everyone on your guest list. Start with some free printable Halloween party invitations and add your own touch with creepy stickers, fancy handwriting, bewitching wording, and a perfectly witty Halloween party name. Give everyone at least a few weeks of advance notice, and be sure to communicate important details like whether they should dress in costume.
Bewitching Games and Activities
A great party needs amazing games and activities to keep everyone occupied and having fun. From adult Halloween party games that grown-ups will love to kids' carnival games for school or home, there are tons of ways to add enjoyment to your spooky event.
Related: What to Do for Halloween: 23 Enchanting Ideas for Spooky Fun
Devilish Decorations and Music
You can really set the ambiance for your party with the perfect Halloween playlist and some amazing decorations. Start with some quick and super easy Halloween party decorations, like colored lightbulbs and spider candles, and move on to more elaborate and scary schemes. If you're hosting a dinner party or want to create a tableau, don't forget to use Halloween table decorations to set the stage (and table) for your event.
Scary & Non-Scary Movies
You can't ring in the Halloween season without a few frightening flicks. Gather the whole family for some classic Disney Halloween movies, sate your scaredy-cat friends with some non-scary Halloween movies, or slip into the spooky spirit with some alien movies that are based on true stories.
Follow up your creature feature with some frighteningly difficult horror movie trivia questions, or discover what your zodiac's horror movie trope is.
Halloween Party Ideas for Every Age
A great Halloween party theme can make your bash the best event of the season, and it's really important to consider the ages and interests of the people who will attend.
- Toddlers and preschoolers: The littlest monsters love a good party. Get inspired with some great preschool Halloween party ideas like stuffed animal costume contests, tissue paper bat craft projects, and more.
- School-aged kids: School-aged kids are all about the magic of Halloween. From creepy crafts to costume contests, there are lots of kids' Halloween party ideas. Take some time to get inspired for home or school Halloween parties. Want to host something yourself? Put together a homemade scary scavenger hunt for your kids and their friends.
- Tweens and teens: Older kids love Halloween, too. In fact, throwing a memorable teen Halloween party may be even more important since older kids might be done with trick-or-treating. From classic horror movie nights to uniquely terrifying Halloween parties, pick the perfect theme for teens to have a great time with their friends.
- Adults: Grown-ups can get in on the festive fun with adult Halloween party ideas they'll love. Try a zombie lunch or a Gothic soiree, host an office Halloween party everyone will actually want to attend or put together a spooktacular Halloween scavenger hunt for adults only.
- Dogs: Don't leave your pups out of the fun. Create a fun dog Halloween party that's the bark of the town.
Plan the Perfect Halloween Menu
Halloween is about more than dressing up; it's also about food. From Halloween party food ideas for adults to festive foods for teen Halloween parties, there's something for everyone. You can plan the perfect Halloween party menu for any event or meal, even a Halloween birthday feast.
Frightening Finger Foods
If you're hosting a ghoulish gathering, finger foods can be the easiest for everyone to eat as they mingle. Try some delicious Halloween party foods like jack-o'-lantern chips and salsa or spooky shortbread cookies. Other easy Halloween finger foods include cheesy bat balls, mummy tartlets, and more.
Boo-tiful Breakfasts
Send your boys and ghouls off to school with a festive Halloween breakfast. Monster donuts, spooky toast, and mummies in a blanket are all sure to please.
Demonic Dinners
If you're hosting a Halloween dinner party or just want to serve a special dinner for this spooky day, there are some great Halloween dinner ideas to try. Check out ghoulish pizzas, pumpkin soup, and lots of other spooktacular main dishes.
Related: Savory Recipes for Pumpkin Soup That Spice Up Your Season
Spooky Sweet Treats
From monster cookies to ghost tartlets, there are plenty of sweet Halloween treats you can bring to cookie exchanges and parties or just enjoy at home. You can even create Halloween candy desserts to use up that leftover candy or make something super scrumptious to enjoy during the Halloween season, like these Halloween Rice Krispies treats.
Try Some New Halloween Cocktails
If you're hosting a Halloween cocktail party or simply want to add some Halloween drinks to your menu, there are lots of incredible recipes and ideas you can use for alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails and mocktails your guests will love.
Don't worry if you feel overwhelmed by all the awesome Halloween drink options. Narrow down the selection by choosing a color (we've got tons of green drinks, for instance) or theme (monster martini, anyone?).
Monstrous Mocktails for Halloween
You don't need alcohol to make some amazing drinks. From non-alcoholic Halloween punch to carefully crafted Halloween mocktails, like the Bloody Temple, Little Monster, and Lurch's Apple Pie, there are plenty of creative and cool options for drinks. You can serve these to anyone who wants to have something special to drink for the holiday but doesn't want to include alcohol.
Creepy Cocktails for Adult Halloween Parties
You'll need a great recipe and a great name for your Halloween cocktail. Let these ideas inspire you, whether you need a Halloween punch or a signature cocktail for your fiendish friends.
- Colorful drinks: From creepy red Halloween drinks that are perfect for a vampire bash to ghoulish green cocktails like the Beetlejuice that will delight all the monsters at your party, there are lots of colored drinks to choose from.
- Halloween shots: Get creative with some terrifyingly unique Halloween shots like the Frog's Breath Shooter or the Cape Cod Hospital Shot.
- Festive martinis: Martinis are perfect for your Halloween cocktail party since everyone can sip them while mingling in costume. Try delicious Halloween martinis like the Glowing Eyes Brew, the Black Widow, and the Ghostly Martini.
- Vodka cocktails: Vodka is a great choice for easy Halloween cocktails since it mixes well with so many flavors. Try some fun vodka drinks for Halloween, like the Candyman's Punch.
- Tequila drinks: Start with spooky cocktails, like the Spider's Web Margarita, and move on to other inspired Halloween tequila drinks, like the Potion de Muerto or the Witch's Wish.
Related: Beetlejuice Cocktail That's a Toast With the Most, Babe
Find the Best Costume
If you're going trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party, the perfect costume is a must. Even if you're going on a Halloween date, it's nice to have a costume that will turn heads. No matter what Halloween activity you choose, get inspired with some great ideas for costumes.
Related: 32 Halloween Pun Costume Ideas for the Perfect Pun-chline
Homemade Costume Ideas
You don't have to be super artistic and creative to make your own Halloween costume. In fact, there are easy DIY adult costumes that can take only an afternoon to assemble, such as a video conference participant, electrocution victim, magical unicorn, and more. You can even shop your closet to make a Halloween costume from things you already own, like a toga from pillowcases or a ghost from white sheets.
Step up your Halloween game with a pop culture-inspired couple's costume like Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz, or find something that'll stand out, like a jellyfish or a timeless Rosie the Riveter.
Related: 12 Super Easy Halloween Costumes That Use Normal Clothes
Outfits for the Whole Family
The perfect costume is out there, whether you're a twosome or a whole family. Try out couples' Halloween costumes, like candy bandits, romantic raptors, flamenco dancers, and other fun options. Or go as the couple of the season — Barbie and Ken. If there's a little one in the picture, consider some epic baby costumes like baby sushi or a baby doctor. If you've got several people in your clan, try some family Halloween costumes like superheroes, underwater adventurers, and more.
And don't forget your pets. Hilarious dog costumes and hiss-terical cat costumes are sure to make you laugh and provide inspo.
Related: 15 School-Approved Halloween Costumes for Kids & Teachers
Have Fun With Halloween Quotes and Jokes
Whether you're posting a picture of your family in costume or just want to send a card to a friend, Halloween quotes can help you express some of your haunted holiday wishes. You can even use hilarious quotes about Halloween and side-splitting Halloween jokes to get everyone laughing.
Related: 68 Pumpkin Quotes That Will Put Anyone in a Gourd Mood
Expand Your Knowledge of Halloween Facts and Traditions
You can get even more fun out of Halloween by learning more about it. Find out about the history and traditions of this iconic holiday and how it's celebrated around the world. Why not start by expanding your vocabulary with these spooky Halloween words?
Related: The Teal Pumpkin Project: How to Be Inclusive This Halloween
Halloween Background
The meaning behind Halloween is interesting. Halloween started as a Pagan holiday known as Samhain. People enjoyed the tradition of Samhain from at least 700 BCE, using it as a day to celebrate the intersection of the living and the dead. Over the years, the Catholic church established the holiday of All Hallows' Eve, which people eventually shortened to the familiar name of Halloween.
Origins of Halloween Traditions
Some of the classic traditions of the holiday, such as Halloween monsters, are closely related to the idea of the living and dead intersecting on this holiday. Owls are associated with Halloween, for instance, because the ancient people who celebrated Samhain believed the owl could see souls. Dressing up for Halloween also has its roots in Samhain and the tradition of "mumming," in which children would dress in scary costumes.
The traditional Halloween colors of black and orange also date back centuries. Black relates to death and night, and orange comes from the shades of fall and the harvest. Even the tradition of giving out candy for Halloween has its origins in the ancient holiday of Samhain. As part of that holiday, people would go from door to door to ask for "soul cakes," cookies flavored with spices.
Related: 9 Free Printable Halloween Coloring Pages for the Spookiest Season
Halloween Celebrations Around the World
Just as this holiday has changed over time, it's also celebrated in different ways around the world. Although Halloween is not a federal holiday in the US, as much as 65% of the US population celebrates on October 31. Some of the most popular Halloween traditions in the US include corn mazes, candy corn, and pumpkin spice everything.
The US isn't the only country to celebrate the holiday, however. The following are a few of the other countries that celebrate Halloween.
- Canada: Although many Canadians celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating, it isn't always as big a blow-out as it is in the US. Canada is made up of many diverse ethnic groups, not all of whom celebrate.
- Mexico: Halloween in Mexico is mainly a children's holiday, but it is an important cultural tradition. There's also the multi-day Day of the Dead celebration, which starts the day after Halloween.
- United Kingdom: The UK also celebrates Halloween, but there are some differences in Halloween celebrations between the US and the UK. Some of the main ways the holiday is different across the pond include fewer pumpkins, less focus on decorations, and fewer adults getting in on the fun. Other European countries also celebrate Halloween in a lower-key way.
- Japan: Halloween in Japan has similarities to American celebrations, especially where dressing up and having parties are concerned.
Some countries don't celebrate this holiday at all. Halloween isn't a holiday in India, for instance. People in China don't celebrate Halloween either. Halloween in Australia is a controversial issue since some citizens there believe it is a commercial holiday and not part of the Australian cultural tradition.
Carve Out a Safe Halloween
On this fun holiday, add a little safety focus to your hocus pocus. It's important to keep some Halloween safety tips in mind. These include choosing the best route for trick-or-treating, having good lighting, picking the safest costumes, and other essential considerations.
If pumpkin carving with an actual knife seems a little dangerous (who doesn't want to run in terror at the idea of handing their toddler anything sharp?), why not try some no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas instead? If you do choose to carve the classic way, find some fun things to do with pumpkin guts. Don't forget to roast the pumpkin seeds for a tasty snack.
Related: 55 Pumpkin Patch Captions That Are Ripe for the Picking
Look Back on the Best Halloween Ever
Long after you've eaten your fill and donated your leftover Halloween candy, the memories of a great Halloween will haunt you (in a good way). This holiday is all about having fun and enjoying your time with friends and family, so go a little batty this year! Isn't it time you got started on that Halloween bucket list?
