By Julianne Wilhelm
If you find it hard to keep up with the ever-turning holidays, you’re not the only one. While some of us are still day-dreaming about sipping on a perfectly cool piña colada while lounging in the warm summer sun, it’s time to get into the fall feeling. Halloween is the perfect chance to change with the seasons and bring out your spooky-side.
Freaky Flicks: Although it’s a simple one, an easy way to get into the Halloween spirit is to kick back and watch some classic horror films. While all of the Halloween films are known to cause a few jumps and screams, bringing out old classics like Van Helsing and Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas can easily bring out Halloween nostalgia. Pair that with a bowl of popcorn and you’re favorite bag of candy; you’ve got yourself a festive, fall, and freaky night.
Autumn Brews: While you’re laying back and enjoying you’re Halloween classics, take this opportunity to try some of this years fall-infused brews. An Autumn favorite this year is Samuel Adams “Hazel Brown”, which encompasses that “toasted-open-fire” flavor, accompanied by hints of sweet cocoa, toffee, and a touch of roasted barley. For those willing to try something a little more on the edge, Buffalo Bill’s “Original Pumpkin Ale” has been said to be a “pumpkin pie in a bottle.” This ale is brewed with roasted pumpkins and combined with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, certain to get your taste buds ready for this season’s fall dishes.
Jack-O-Lanterns: Carving a pumpkin. There’s something about relentlessly hacking your own personal design into a giant, orange squash that just makes you feel proud. But before you go slashing, make sure you get the full experience of picking out the perfect pumpkin. While any local grocery store will offer an array of pumpkins to choose from, take advantage of the cooler fall weather and take a look around a pumpkin patch. Many schools and churches tend to put on their own pumpkin patch for locals to browse around and you’ll be contributing to a good cause with your pumpkin purchase.
Homemade cocktails: If you’re up to try a new recipe and get a little pumpkin on your pallet, try this years most popular hard beverage: Pumpkin and Apple Cider Cocktail. This drink includes all of fall’s favorites to get you spiced up for the season, including 1.5 oz. pumpkin puree, 1.5 oz. vanilla vodka, 2 oz. apple cider, and 1.5 oz. spicy ginger ale. Simply fill a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the pumpkin puree, vodka, and apple cider. Shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with ginger ale. The kick from the apple cider combined with the sweetness of the pumpkin and warm vanilla will help bring out that refreshing feeling of this lively season.
DIY Costumes: A few weeks before Halloween arrives, have a costume picked out. Once you have a costume in mind, it’s much easier to get into the Halloween thrill. Take your time and work on a homemade costume. This years top costumes are said to be based off of 2012’s hit films and are fairly easy to put together. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games can be put together from any angle, either her quaint, village persona or her kick-ass, in-it to win-it gear. For the men, Christian Grey from the hit novel Fifty Shades of Grey can easily be put together with a nice suit and a smug attitude. Attention all ass holes: This is your year.
Whether you're out enjoying the cool, crisp autumn air or you're curled up inside catching up on thrillers, have a happy, safe, and spirited Halloween.
