How to get in the Halloween spirit this season as a student

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It is finally that time of year again where people dress up in outlandish costumes, recieve or buy tons of candy, and watch scary movies in the dark. 

Halloween is one of my favourite holidays as you can dress up as anyone you want, but also get involved in festive activities with your friends and family. As a full-time student, it can be hard to get in the full Halloween spirit with midterms, assignments, and presentations coming up. However, it’s important we take a break and enjoy the spooky season while it’s here. These are some of my budget-friendly recommendations to get in the Halloween spirit this year. 

1. Watch Halloween-themed movies

Whether it is a Disney Halloween movie or horror film, there are so many choices to get you in the ghostly spirit. Inviting a few of your friends over to watch a movie is not only a great way to spend time together, but is budget friendly and ensures you’re not alone when watching a scary movie. Make the most out of these nights by getting some blankets, making popcorn or buying candy, and even having a few Halloween-themed cocktails to top it off. Beetlejuice, Coraline, It, and the Halloween movie franchise are some of my favourites to watch this time of year. 

2. Decorate your living spaces

Decorating your room or home is a great way of getting in the Halloween mood and changing up the scenery. You can find some cheap decorations at the thrift store such as ghosts, pumpkins, and skeletons, and who knows, they might be haunted and you’ll carry an extra souvenir home. There are also cute decorations at Dollarama every year to choose from like spider figurines and danger caution tape. If you’re feeling creative, you can gather materials for DIY Halloween decorations like a ghost lamp or soap containers filled with spiders. It is the one time of year where it’s acceptable to make your house look scary, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box and decorate with friends and family. 

3. Visit a haunted house 

If you’re up for a scare, visit a haunted house with some friends to get in the spirit. There are plenty in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley to check out including Cougar Creek near the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Surrey campus, Brinkworth Dungeon in Langley, and Maan Farms in Abbotsford. Make it fun by placing a bet on whoever gets the most scared has to buy dinner. If you want something to really keep you on your toes, check out a real haunted place like the abandoned Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, Stave Falls Powerhouse in Mission, or take a drive to find an abandoned house in the countryside. These activities send you for a thrill, but hopefully a good laugh with friends as well. 

4. Carve pumpkins 

As a kid, I always loved to carve pumpkins with my family since there are so many designs you can create. This is a great group activity, and you can use the leftover pieces to bake or cook the seeds to snack on. Be sure to cover the table with a cloth or newspapers to keep it clean and use a black sharpie to draw on your design. If you have a hard time drawing, there are free pumpkin carving stencils online that you can print to copy onto your pumpkin. 

5. Listen to Halloween music 

Get into the spirit by listening to Halloween-themed music, whether it be when taking a walk outside in the cold or getting ready for a Halloween party. Obviously “Thriller” by Michael Jackson and “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show are classics, but don’t forget the under-rated bangers like “Calling All the Monsters” by China Anne McClain or “This is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. For something unique, check out Ice Nine Kills’ Halloween album, The Silver Scream, wherever you stream music. 

However you may celebrate, be sure to have fun with family and friends and take a break from assignments. It’s time for scary fun, but not too much.