5 top tips on how to run a great spooky night-in this Halloween
26 October 2020Halloween is looking a little different this year. To date, there hasn’t been an official ban on trick or treating but the Government’s for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have strongly advised against it. The local authorities in Devon and Cornwall as well as the Devon and Cornwall Police have also called for children and their parents to stay safe at home this year. A Halloween night-in can still be Spooktacular and there are plenty of activities you could get the kids involved in. Here, we reveal our five top tips on how to make this Halloween a spooky night-in to remember:
1. Turn your living room into a spooky theatre
According to data from online marketplace OnBuy, it has seen a 365% increase in projector sales since lockdown began (source: This Is Money). Nothing raises the hairs on your neck quite like a scary movie so why not make use of your new projector screen or TV and host a movie night? For the kids, movies like Disney’s Hocus Pocus, The Witches (based on the much-loved Roald Dahl novel) and Casper are all great choices. For adults who are looking for something scream-worthy, give the likes of Paranormal Activity, A Quiet Place and Netflix’s new The Haunting of Bly Manor a watch. Don’t forget the popcorn!
2. Ready, set, bake!
With the Great British Bake Off having recently returned to our screens, baking fever is currently sweeping the nation. Channel that enthusiasm into some delicious Halloween bakes! A great activity for entertaining creative little ones, baking on Halloween is not only fun but can contribute to the snack selection at your movie night too. There are so many creative recipes out there from Devil’s Food Cake to Meringue Ghosts. Feeling adventurous? Why not give this show-stopping Spider’s Nest Cake from Tesco a go. If you’re looking for an easier bake, we love these adorable Halloween Cupcakes from BBC Good Food.
3. Host some party games
Trick or treating may be fun, but who says you can’t have as much fun indoors? Dress up in your spooky costumes and indulge in some spooky activities such as hide and seek in the dark, sweet Jenga and pin the spider on the web. We particularly love this idea from Good Housekeeping which sees carved pumpkins being incorporated in a game of bean bag toss. The kids will while away the evening seeing who can get the most points from throwing their bean bags into the pumpkin’s mouth!
4. Tell a ghost story
Nothing gets you in the Halloween mood like a good ghost story. Dim the lights in your new build home, get comfortable and have your torch at the ready. If you have little ones and are keen to avoid the nightmares, there are plenty of not-so-spooky stories out there that won’t leave them terrified of the dark. Check out the Ghost of the Bloody Finger which ends with a light-hearted joke, The Big Toe which includes a touch of fantasy and Coffin which ends with the king of all puns. You can find these plus a selection of other spooky stories over on Country Living.
5. Go all out with the decorations
The above will have even more of an impact against the backdrop of a spooky new build home. Halloween decorations get better and better each year. With so much choice, it’s hard to know where to start. First, decide on a budget. If you’re not looking to spend a lot, try getting creative by taping cut-out bats to the inside of your lamp shade, light some pillar candles with “blood” dripping down them or use cotton wool to create eerie spider webs. If you don’t mind investing in some decorations, there are some fantastic options on the market this year, particularly if you are looking to decorate the outside of your home. Go all out with plenty of fairy lights, pumpkins, fake gravestones and spooky skeletons. Why not team up with your neighbours to create one big scary scene which stretches across the front of your properties? We particularly love these cool inflatable pumpkins from Wayfair.
We hope these five top tips have inspired you to create a spooky night to remember. Although your Halloween celebrations might be a little different this year, don’t let the pandemic stop you from having fun in your Devonshire home. We’d love to see how you’ve decorated your home. Tag us in your posts on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and we’ll ensure to like and share your content.
Not a Devonshire homeowner yet? Who knows, by next Halloween you could be in your very own Devonshire home! To browse our current developments and high-quality homes, click here.