By Josie Osborne, Contributing Writer
As Halloween draws near, many may find themselves reminiscing on their childhood moments of trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, dressed like their favorite cartoon character or superhero. But as the students at Saint Leo University emerge from their youth and embrace the adult lifestyle, trick-or-treating may seem too immature or silly.
While no one is ever too old for trick-or-treating, for those who desire other ways to enjoy the wonderful spooky season, here are some other ways to celebrate Halloween.
Host a Halloween party
For the most excited and dedicated, hosting a Halloween party is a perfect way to say farewell to October. Even for those who don’t have large amounts of money to dedicate to store bought decorations and cumbersome activities, hosting a Halloween party can be a cheap and creative way to get into the spooky mood.
Get creative! Go to the nearest craft store or Target/Walmart and purchase inexpensive materials like construction paper, string, or even a pack of string lights for a charming glow. Cut out ghosts and bats and decorate the space with black and orange balloons.
For snacks, it can be as simple as buying a pack of strawberries from the grocery and dipping them in white chocolate, then using melted milk chocolate and a toothpick to create a ghost’s face. Or, for something less fruity, drizzle marshmallow fluff over a treat, using mini chocolate chips as eyes to create a mummy snack.
For an extra flair, host a costume contest! Not only will this encourage guests to show up dressed to their spookiest potential, but it will add a layer of fun and excitement. For a cheap costume, go to the nearest thrift store and scavenge for the perfect outfit. Bonus points for bringing some friends along and making it a competition!
Have a Halloween movie marathon
Either as its own event or as a part of a Halloween party, pop some popcorn and settle down with the lights off to watch some movies. Watch thrilling, suspenseful horrors like classic films Scream or Halloween. For something less frightening but just as spooky, try Nightmare Before Christmas or Coraline.
To add some extra Halloween spirit, make it a pajama party and dress in Halloween pajamas! Stores like Target, Walmart, and even Amazon sell super cute, comfy loungewear perfect for a cozy movie marathon.
Visit a haunted house
For scares and screams, take a trip to a haunted house or fright zone to experience the spooks of Halloween. Amusement parks often host these fearful events, like Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream or Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Encounter the scare actors dressed up in creepy costumes and walking on stilts, lurking around corners and dark alleyways waiting to raise heart rates. Even local, private-owned venues like Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City offer high-quality frights with their terrifying haunted houses and horrifying characters.
Go to a community event
For outgoing people who like to be out and about in the community, many places are hosting Halloween events open to the public. Saint Leo has a variety of events for the spooky season, such as Trick or Treat around Saint Leo, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Halloween. Later that night, Sigma Tau Delta’s Spooky Reading will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Outside of Saint Leo, visit Halloween Howl at Zephyr Park or Meadowpoint II’s Halloween Festival in Wesley Chapel for fun games, food, and spooks!
Either on their own or combined for the ultimate Halloween festivities, these ideas are sure to bewitch even those who wish to outgrow the classic trick-or-treating.
