How to: a guide to surviving Halloween during a global pandemic

By Kalen Ingram

Art by Hallie Anderson

Halloween is lurking in the shadows ready to sneak up on you. Don’t let it find you unprepared! This year the scariest people are the ones without masks. OOOOO! We don’t want the coronavirus to scare you away from enjoying Halloween, so here are some safe and socially distant ways to celebrate fright night. 

Rent or buy a projector and screen. Gather as many people as can fit six feet apart in your backyard and have a scary movie marathon. The chilly October air combined with the ominous nighttime will make the mood even scarier. You and your friends can bundle up in blankets and roast marshmallows to truly embody the fall spirit. You can even dress up in your Halloween costume because everything is more fun with a costume on! My personal recommendations for Halloween movies are “The Nightmare before Christmas,” “Scream,” “The Blair Witch Project,” “The Addams Family,” or “It.” 

Paint a pumpkin. We are past carving pumpkins. The guts get everywhere, it takes too long, and I never remember to turn on the fake candles inside. This year we are painting our masterpieces on pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. On a patio or backyard space, gather some friends and a few art supplies, and express your inner Monet, all while six skeleton feet apart. 

Make a festive treat. Having a birthday one week away from Halloween, I am well versed in the art of throwing Halloween parties. As a Halloween tradition, I make my spooky, gooey popcorn balls. Here is a delicious and most importantly foolproof recipe for a haunted Halloween. 

Ingredients: 4 cups of marshmallows, 2 bags of popcorn, ½ stick of butter, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 1 bag of candy corn or a pack of M&M’s. 

Directions: 
Step 1 - Pop the popcorn according to instructions on the bag. 
Step 2 - Melt the butter in a microwavable bowl for 30 seconds.
Step 3 - Pour two cups of marshmallows into the same bowl with melted butter; microwave for 90 seconds.
Step 4 - Pour remaining two cups of marshmallows into the same bowl as the melted butter; microwave for 90 seconds and add vanilla extract. 
Step 5 - Stir butter and marshmallows with spatula.
Step 6 - Pour marshmallow mixture over the popped popcorn and dispense evenly. 
Step 7 - Form gooey mixture into the shape of balls.
Step 8 - Stick four to five pieces of candy corn, M&M’s or both into the balls.