Halloween in Quarantine

10/21/2020 (Permalink)

Amidst the current restrictions imposed by COVID-19, Halloween will look a little different this year. However, there are still several ways to celebrate the holiday in safe ways; whether by implementing social distancing precautions or maintaining a full quarantine. With consideration to a variety of comfort levels, we have collected a short list of alternative ways to celebrate Halloween 2020!

• Trick-or-treat at home – Treat each room in your home as its own unique house! Decorate the doors to each room and leave a small bowl of candy at the entrance for trick-or-treating.
• Host a Zoom party – Dress up in your best costume and schedule a Zoom party with all your friends. Organize a costume contest, drinking games, or a fun Halloween trivia night to get everyone involved!
• Plan a mask contest – Whether the contest remains strictly among family members or includes friends over Zoom, collect supplies to design unique Halloween masks! Alternatively, if you decide to partake in traditional trick-or-treating, customize your mask to match your costume and wear for Halloween. For methods and ideas, check HERE.
• Ghost your neighbors – In the days leading to Halloween, create a goody bag full of Halloween candy and treats to leave on the doorstep of your friends or neighbors. Tape a sign to the bag that says, “You’ve been booed!” along with your name and instructions to “Boo” someone they think needs a good scare.
• Organize a reverse trick-or-treat – Choose a worthy organization and find out what nonmonetary donations they need. Then, ask people in your neighborhood to drop those things off. You can watch a family Halloween movie while you prep the items for donation.
• Parade your pets – Dress up your pets for a Halloween walk or at-home fashion show!
• Leave a bowl of candy on the porch – For those still participating in traditional trick-or-treating, leave a bowl of candy on your porch for children to grab on their way through the neighborhood.
• Consider trick-or-treating within your social group – To maintain normal Halloween activities, consider organizing a small, socially distanced, Halloween party among your social group. Or, for those with a close-knit group within their neighborhood, develop a route to trick-or-treat at the homes of those you are familiar with.

As we approach Halloween, it is important to be aware of what your neighborhood is doing. Some neighborhoods are participating in trick-or-treating activities while others are not, and social distancing guidelines are being developed and enforced within various communities. Therefore, it is necessary to become informed before planning holiday festivities.

From SERVPRO of Gilbert, Chandler South, Ahwatukee and South Tempe, Happy Halloween and safe trick-or-treating!