It’s that time of year again!  Cats, costumes, candy, cauldrons- the days surrounding Halloween are without a doubt full of tricks and treats.  Time flies when you are having fun, so be sure to use it wisely!  Here are some activities that are must-dos for this spooky yet spectacular holiday season.

Wednesday, October 28th

1. Carve a pumpkin…

and make it unique.  Remember to cut the top of your pumpkin at an angle, so it will not fall through after reassembly.  Also, instead of simply throwing away the guts and seeds, recycle them to make a scrumptious pie.  As for the sketch itself, there is always the classic geometric eyes and triangle nose design to use if you come across a creativity block, but challenge yourself to try something new.  The internet is a great source for ideas with outlines for everything from witches to elephants.  Use your imagination to trace and carve a face or figure that you find interesting.  

Thursday, October 29th

2. Go trick-or-treating…

before you’re too old to walk!  Take advantage of your youthfulness, and spend an hour or two collecting candy throughout State College.  This year, trick-or-treating occurs from 6-8pm.  Get a group of friends, dress in your favorite costume, grab a pillowcase to carry goodies, and set off!  Be mindful of busy streets or traffic, and be courteous of younger children in the neighborhood.  If you aren’t a fan of sugary snacks, Pediatric Dental Care and Happy Valley Orthodontics are proud to be sponsoring another year of Candy Buy Back, where they will pay kids one dollar in exchange for every pound of goodies.  The collected sweets will then be sent to our troops abroad.

Friday, October 30th

3. Visit a haunted house…

with family or friends.  This is the best time of year to send chills up your spine.  State College has many trails, mazes, and buildings that have been decorated with scary props and people.  On Friday, October 30th, you should definitely try out Penn State Forensic Science Club’s haunted house on campus.  The cost is four dollars per person, and it runs from 8-11 pm.  Additionally, Spook Haven offers another attraction set to scare everyone who participates.  This experience is twelve dollars to enter with ticket sales beginning at 7pm and run for three hours.  

Saturday, October 31st

4. Throw a costume party…

and deck your house with loads of Halloween decoration!  Head to the store and grab some festive napkins and plates to use with your favorite hostess snacks.  Use tables to set out munchies like chips, pretzels, and cookies.  Send out invitations via text, email, or in person, and don’t forget to mention that it’s a costume party!  Encourage the guests to dress as their favorite character, creature, or thing.  Make sure you take plenty of pictures with your friends in their great get ups.  If you want, you could even design a costume contest in which everyone at the party votes for whose outfit they think is the most creative.

Sunday, November 1st

5. Have a movie marathon..

that includes your favorite Halloween themed films, both new and old.  Sleep in late, rest up, and relax on the couch in a comfy pair of pajamas.  Take a break from the hectic and chaotic October festivities, and use this first day of November to simply unwind.  Some movie must-sees to wrap up this holiday season are Hocus Pocus, Casper, Halloweentown, and Twitches.  Whether you prefer horror and suspense, or family-friendly, make sure to spend time destressing with a bowl of popcorn by your side.  This downbeat activity can be enjoyed both individually or with friends.