I’m not exactly a Halloween person. First of all, I’m terrified of spiders. Second of all, I could do without pumpkin in every single thing I eat, unless it’s hotpot. Yet this year I found myself wanting to do something for Halloween. Maybe it’s because I don’t have any parties to attend, going to a pumpkin patch and dressing up (well dressing up my cats) suddenly sounded like fun. So here are some tips for everyone, regardless of whether or not you hand stitch a runway-ready Halloween costume every year, to actually enjoy the holiday this year.
1. Go to a Pumpkin Patch
As I was doing research on going to a pumpkin patch for the first time since I can remember, I found several pumpkin patches that also offered apple picking, zoo animal petting, and games. More than that, I found that the pumpkin patch was located in an area likely to have fall foliage. Everything other than the pumpkin convinced me to visit the pumpkin patch.
For those in Southern California, check out Oak Glen for all of the above. There are plenty of options for pumpkin patches – we visited Los Rios Rancho specifically and had a great time.
2. Do an Outdoor Photoshoot
With the leaves turning into kinds of orange and red, apples ripening, and the weather turning cold, it’s the perfect opportunity to pull out your chunky sweater and knee high boots and do a photoshoot in the great outdoors. Unless you’re in a place like Palm Springs (where I am currently), then please don’t wear a sweater in the scorching hot weather.
3. Dress (Your Pet) Up for Halloween
If dressing up isn’t your thing and you have a pet or can borrow one from a friend, then dress them up instead! Here are 20 DIY dog and cat costumes if you’re feeling extra crafty.
I found a king costume for my cat Chanel that she seems to be a fan of. She wouldn’t let me put on the cape, but I still have a few more days to convince her.
4. Bake with Seasonal Fruits
The good news about October is that pumpkin is not the only fruit in season. Persimmon, chestnut, apple, pomegranate, fig, and prickly pear are just some of the other delicious fruits you can buy and make desert with.
We had apples that were going bad so I turned them into an apple pie. It tastes better than it looks 🙂
5. Carve Pumpkins
Pumpkin carving is one thing I do love about Halloween. It’s an excuse to be creative and have some friendly competition with your friends. Don’t be afraid to look to the internet for inspiration on what to carve this year.
6. Go Shopping
Shopping is one of my favorite things to do when exploring a new city. You can learn so much about the local culture by visiting the stores. Shopping during a new season serves a similar purpose. Stores switch out the produce they carry, the type of clothes they hang on the racks, and even the packaging. That’s something to look forward to as Halloween slowly creeps up upon us. Moreover, there will be lots of chocolates for trick or treating, and if you’re a chocolate lover like me, now is the time to load up.
Ever since I baked that apple pie, I’ve been dreaming of the holidays approaching. I guess October does have that effect on you. Even if you get nervous about Halloween approaching every year like I do, with nowhere to go this year, it seems like a good time to rediscover the holiday for yourself.
