Hi there, fellow festive friends!
Halloween looks different for many of us these days. If your kids are grown or just off celebrating with their own friends, you might find yourself at home wondering how to still enjoy the holiday without all the kid-centric activities you’ve been used to in previous years. It’s me. I’m there! My daughter is grown and out on her own now, so I’ll be spending Halloween with my furballs this year. Since I live in a quiet neighborhood where trick-or-treaters are few, I like to lean into a more laid-back, adult-friendly Halloween vibe. Whether you’re staying in with your husband, hanging with some girlfriends, or flying solo at home, Halloween can still be fun and festive without much effort.
Here are a few ideas for making your Halloween night special without going all out.
Cozy Night In: Simple Yet Fun Ideas
Sometimes the best way to enjoy Halloween is from the comfort of home, whether solo or with your sweetie, especially when it’s a work night (like it is this year!).
- Movie Marathon: If you’re like me and enjoy nostalgic movies without the horror element, Halloween is a great time to rewatch favorites. I put on 90s classics like The Addams Family and Hocus Pocus, both of which I used to watch when I was younger and then again with my daughter as she was growing up. I also just rewatched the old Beetlejuice to refresh my memory and then went to see the new version with a friend (we both loved it!). All these movies tap into the spooky season without being too intense (gruesome gore and jump scares just aren’t for me).
- Spooky Sports Night: Depending on the day Halloween falls on, there might be a football or basketball game on (or both like this year!). So a nice quiet night at home watching your favorite team score and indulging in spooky snacks and drinks might be a perfect time to bond with your honey.
- Festive Snacks and Drinks: Keep it simple but festive with snacks that don’t require much prep. Think popcorn mixed with dark chocolate or pumpkin seeds or fruit-based treats shaped like cute ghosts, bats, or spiders. You can even whip up a simple Halloween-themed mocktail or spooky cocktail. How about black cherry soda with a dash of lime for a quick “bubbling brew”?
- Pumpkin Carving: Just because the kids aren’t around doesn’t mean you have to skip out on pumpkin carving (or painting!). You can even go for more stylish or intricate designs now, making it a fun and creative adult activity. Carving pumpkins while watching your favorite Halloween flicks with the hubby is a fun way to stay engaged with the season and make some great wholesome and lasting memories (and front porch decor at the same time!).
Girlfriends’ Low-Key Halloween Hangout
Looking for a reason to gather your friends for a no-stress night? Halloween is the perfect excuse!
- Theme “Party” Without the Stress: Invite a few girlfriends over for a casual hangout. You don’t need to go all out—just throw on some Halloween tunes (like my favorite, The Monster Mash or Michael Jackson’s Thriller), light a few candles, and create a cozy ambiance. If you’re feeling a little more extra and want to put on something other than your comfies, have everyone wear something festive like cute accessories or outfits with a subtle spooky touch. Think black lace, velvet, bat and black cat earrings, or deep autumn colors.
- Movie Night with a Twist: Choose a few lighthearted Halloween movies (again, I’m all about Hocus Pocus) and set up a popcorn or ice cream bar with fun Halloween candy toppings. You can also do a laid-back potluck where everyone brings a simple Halloween-themed snack or drink. It’s an easy way to celebrate with the girls without turning it into a big production.
- Halloween Crafts: If your crew is crafty, a DIY Halloween craft night can be a fun and creative way to get together. Think of activities like making Halloween-themed wreaths, painting or decorating mini pumpkins, making festive jewelry and delicious smelling candles, or creating cute fall centerpieces that can be used in your dining room through Thanksgiving.
Stylish Halloween-Inspired Outfits
If you do decide to go out for Halloween, but don’t want to have an over the top costume, you can still dress for the occasion with minimal effort.
- Subtle Spooky Vibes: If you want to get in the spirit but don’t feel like dressing up in a full costume (or frankly, spending the money on it!), go for a stylish Halloween-inspired look that isn’t actually a costume. Black lace tops, chunky boots, gothy jewelry, faux leather jackets, and some festive accessories can give you just the right amount of Halloween energy without going overboard.
- Seasonal Colors: You can never go wrong with shades of autumn like deep purples, burnt oranges, or dark greens. These colors scream Halloween, but are versatile enough that you probably already have them in your closet from last year and can continue to wear them the rest of this season. Pair a turtleneck or sweater in these colors with some skinny jeans, cute ankle boots, and a wide-brimmed hat and you’re all set for a stylish fall/Halloween appropriate outfit.
Quick and Easy Halloween Costumes
If you’re juggling work, social life, taking care of your home, and everything in between, a full-blown costume may not be on your agenda. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun and dress up last minute!
- Cute and Easy Furball: Does your daughter have a headband with cat, dog, or bunny ears laying around? Perfect! Pair them with some drawn on whiskers using an eyeliner pencil (and maybe a black outfit if going for that traditional black cat vibe) and you’ve got yourself a cute, furry animal costume in minutes.
- Pumpkin Spice Queen: Throw on an oversized orange sweater, pair it with brown leggings and boots, and call yourself the queen of pumpkin spice! It’s festive, cozy, and effortless.
- Sleepy Pajama Party Look: Throw on a cute matching pajama set, grab a sleep mask, and carry a coffee mug (or even a stuffed animal) as a fun, low-effort costume. You can also wear cozy slippers and messy “bedhead” hair to complete the look. It’s comfortable, easy, and works perfectly for a relaxed Halloween night. Plus, you can stay in theme while being extra comfy!
Healthy Halloween Treats
Let’s be honest, as much as I love indulging in candy (and not just at Halloween time), sometimes it’s nice to have healthier alternatives that still feel festive.
- Dark Chocolate Dipped Fruit: Keep it simple and a little indulgent with dark chocolate-dipped strawberries or bananas. You can even add a drizzle of white chocolate for a “mummy wrap” effect or pop in some pretzel sticks “legs” to give a black spider look.
- Pumpkin-Spiced Everything: If you’re like me and love the taste of fall, consider making healthy pumpkin-spiced muffins or pumpkin hummus. These are great for snacking during a movie marathon or sharing with your partner or friends.
- Spooky Snack Boards: Create a healthy snack board with nuts, cheese, dark chocolate, dried fruits, and some Halloween-themed goodies like ghost-shaped cutouts of veggies or fruits. If you’re really feeling fancy and have the extra time, stick some googly eyes on some grapes or just around the board to jazz it up a bit more.
Halloween-Inspired Self-Care
Halloween is the perfect time to slow down and indulge in some cozy self-care, especially if you’re staying in and want a quiet night to pamper yourself.
- Candlelit Pumpkin Bath: Light a few pumpkin-scented candles, draw a warm bath, and unwind. You can even throw in a Halloween-themed bath bomb to make it feel extra festive.
- DIY Spa Night: After your relaxing bath, treat yourself to an at-home evening at the spa. I love to paint my nails every week or two and am always on board for incorporating seasonal colors and designs. Do a mani/pedi with dark burgundy, green, or brown shades of polish and add some cute ghost, black cat, or bat nail stickers and decals. You can also rehydrate yourself from the crisp fall air with a luxurious facemask, eyemasks (or cucumbers), and conditioning hair masks to complete the spa treatment.
- Ghostly Audiobook: Instead of watching a scary movie, listen to a thriller or a spooky-but-not-too-scary audiobook while cozying up with a warm fleece blanket. It’s a great way to get in the Halloween mood without going full horror.
Easy Decorations that Transition to Fall
If you’re like me, you probably don’t want to completely overhaul your décor for your Halloween night at home or small get together, only to take it down right after to transition into Thanksgiving. Instead, try these options.
- Dual-Purpose Decor: Opt for decorations that work for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkins, autumn leaves, and neutral- or fall-colored wreaths are great choices because they can stay up through the entire season. You can add a few Halloween touches (like spooky candles, spider webs, or black accents) that can easily be removed once Halloween has passed without having to completely change everything.
- Cozy Atmosphere: Fill your space with cozy autumn themed decor and colors (rather than just Halloween specific). In fall we think of rich warm colors, soft fleece blankets, pumpkin-scented candles, lanterns, dried flowers, and fairy lights. These elements create a space that’s perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving season and cooler months ahead. This decor can easily transition into the rest of the fall season as well, which is an added bonus, creating a comforting atmosphere you’ll love coming home to, even after Halloween is over.
This Halloween doesn’t have to be filled with parties or intense spooky vibes. Whether you’re staying in alone, spending time with your boyfriend or husband, or gathering with a few girlfriends, it’s all about enjoying the season in a way that fits your current kid-free (or at least less kid-centered) lifestyle. Here’s to a festive, low-key adult Halloween that’s still full of fun!
With much love and spooky but not too spooky vibes (haha),
-LS