The Halloween countdown may start in August, but all of the Halloween decor comes out until October 1st. I spend most of August and September explaining why we can’t put the Halloween decorations out. I love watching their enthusiasm and excitement when it comes to Halloween. What kid doesn’t love pillowcases full of candy, costumes, and of course, all of the costume accessories, which rarely make it to Halloween?

October is always an activity-filled month. This year, with COVID, it’s going to look a lot different. I’m curious to see how it all plays out, but my boys are either holding hope or in denial that there could be no trick or treating this year. Most of the activities, parties, pumpkin patches and farms have been canceled, which means I have to get creative this year.

The one thing that doesn’t change… decorations. It’s always a tricky holiday to decorate for when you lean towards more modern decor. I wanted to find a balance between kid-friendly and modern. If it were up to my kids, we would have every blow-up pumpkin, ghost, cat, witch, or whatever else is out there. We would only buy orange pumpkins, and all of our outdoor lighting would be orange. Like everything, it’s all about finding that perfect balance.

Modern kid-friendly outdoor halloween decor

I love these ghost lights from Hyde & Eek. The ghost shape satisfies the kids, and the lighting brings that modern feel I look for. They are honestly the perfect soft white lighting for our pathway. 

I always buy multiple white pumpkins and then we paint them with fun patterns. My favorite is doing a couple with thick black vertical stripes and the others with a black polka a dot pattern. You can also melt crayons to the top of the pumpkin which creates a fun look.

The porch is always the center focus for outdoor decor. I love this black and white stripped rug, and of course lanterns! Lanterns are one of those versatile pieces that can be used all year long. 

Indoor Halloween Decor

There are so many fun ways you can bring the Halloween decor inside. Again, going for a modern look, I stick with a black and white color theme. One of my favorite bloggers, Andee Layne, is one of my favorites for finding inspiration. First, her house is amazing! Second, her sense of style is perfection. I don’t think there has been one thing she has shared I didn’t like. I love the way she used the bat decals, and her table setting is on another level.

Skulls, skulls, skulls. You can never have too many skulls. One of my favorite designers is Alexander McQueen, why? Skulls.  If you have read any of my posts, you probably know that I’m all about the power of the mind. For me, skulls symbolize the mind because its the part that holds our brain. Plus, skulls are super badass. 

Halloween is the perfect time to get the skulls out! They can be used as a centerpiece, on top of a candle holder or to cover the fireplace mantle. 

The fireplace mantel is always the center focus when it comes to holiday decorations. If my kids didn’t feel the need to pop every balloon they come across, this would be the exact look I would go for.

For now we will stick to something along the lines of this..

OR…how cute is this!

Halloween traditions modified 

The month of October is usually very eventful! Pumpkin patches, farms, apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, costume parties, and of course, trick or treating. Unfortunately, COVID canceled most events and activities. Fortunately, I have a couple of ideas up my sleeve. 

1. Make a day out of buying pumpkins. Typically, we go to Cox Farms, which is about 45 min west of us. It’s such a pretty drive, especially during this time of the year. They canceled the “Fall Festival” but are offering a drive-through market and self-driven hayride. We will pick out our pumpkins online, load up on apple cider donuts and kettle corn, drive through the traditional hayride route, and on our way out, pick up our pumpkins. It’s not ideal, but it’s a great way to show kids that sometimes things don’t always work out how we would like them. It may not look the same, but it’s the situation we are in, and we have to make the best out of it. 
2. Carve, paint, and design pumpkins. With four boys, carving pumpkins alone is a day’s work. I posted the pictures above with some ideas. 
3. Smashing Pumpkins. When you have four boys, sometimes you have to think extreme. Boys love anything that’s prohibited. Just buy a bunch of extra pumpkins, set expectations (including who will be cleaning it up) s and let them go to town. 
4. Fall Baking. If your local apple farm is open, apple picking is a great fall activity. If not, store-bought apples work too. Spend a day baking with apples, pumpkins, or any yummy fall fruit. We love making caramel apples, apple pie, pumpkin muffins, and loaves of bread. 
5. Host your costume dance party. Invite anyone you’re comfortable hosting or just your immediate family. If you don’t have a costume, get creative with what you have, put on music, and have fun. 
6. Candy Swap. Same as above, invite those you are comfortable with or buy a big bag of candy for each family member. Pour your bags out on the floor and start swapping. 
7. Play candy bingo or candy hunt. You can either create your bingo card or find one off of Pinterest. Kind of like an Easter egg hunt, hide candy and let the kids run wild. 
8. Make your own hayride. If you have a truck or a friend with a truck, buy hay, throw it in the back and take a ride around the neighborhood (slowly, of course)
9. BOO neighbors. My kids look forward to this every year. If your neighbor isn’t comfortable with this, BOO your house. Again, not ideal, but it was it is.
10. Halloween Day Party. We have a tradition at our house for every holiday and birthday where I decorate the house before they wake up with the holiday theme. Halloween Day may look a lot different this year, so why not make it look different. Imagine a birthday party, but Halloween themed with orange and black streamers, balloons, and party supplies. One of my favorite brands is Meri Meri. They have the best party supplies that are modern, trendy, and kid-friendly.  

Last but not least, Trick or Treating during COVID

In my personal opinion, trick or treating should go on as usual, and if households aren’t comfortable, they can opt-out or keep candy placed outside. But, it’s not up to me, and there will likely not be trick or treating this year. So what, no what.

The good news, Halloween stores are open like usual. Regardless of trick or treating, kids love to get in full costume. They may not be getting candy by knocking door to door, but they can get candy in other ways. Even if the only candy they get is from your house. Dump a bag of candy in each of their bags and call it a day.

Unfortunately, COVID is going to change Halloween but it doesn’t mean it has to completely destroy it for kids. It’s not going to look the same, and it won’t feel the same. What matters is we try to keep the Halloween spirit for our kids. I view it as a teaching opportunity for my kids. Sometimes,  things don’t happen the way we think they should. Circumstances create changes, some bigger than others aka COVID. At this point, the only thing we can do is to make the best of the situation. 

COVID can take away a lot, but it can’t take away Halloween decor, most traditions and head to toe costumes. Honestly, with the smashing of pumpkins this could be the best Halloween EVER!!

Comment with any other fun ideas you guys have! I love hearing all the fun traditions everyone has during the holidays!

XOXO ♥

HAUTEmess mom of four