It’s been a year of tricks and treats, but this Saturday the spooks are intentional. Whether you’re throwing a spooky Zoom meeting, hosting a small group or heading out into the world this Saturday, here are some ideas for safely celebrating Halloween during a pandemic.
Know the Rules
The CDC has released updated recommendations for Halloween gatherings. Avoid any health scares by taking these extra precautions.
- Host dinner parties outdoors if entertaining guests from multiple households.
- Stay local, especially if in an area with high community spread of COVID.
- Avoid crowded indoor haunted houses—opt for outside experiences instead (like these!).
- Keep the scares to a minimum if you’re not wearing your mask. Screams and shouts are high risk.
- Halloween costume masks do not substitute for cloth masks. Check out these themed options to stay safe and within regulation.
- Don’t let guests in and out of areas where food is being prepared—or order catering.
- Leave individual goodie bags out for trick or treaters in lieu of traditional candy bowls.
Zoom Ideas
Keeping Halloween virtual? Attending a remote costume party with your team? Enjoy these fun and festive ideas to keep everyone engaged.
- Host a virtual costume contest with a special prize for winners.
- Utilize Zoom’s breakout room feature to designate teams that can particpate in an online scavenger hunt.
- Explore the Winchester Myster House orParis Catacombs with spooky virtual tours.
- Share ghost stories,
- Send your online attendees some special treats to enjoy together.
- Have everyone decorate their Zoom rooms with spooky and festive backgrounds.
- Experience remote team building via a virtual escape room.
Treat or Treat
No tricks here. Hotels are stepping up to help visitors and families celebrate Halloween safely and healthily.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is spreading the Halloween spirit with special treats at all its restaurants through Oct. 31. Guests staying at the Kimpton can tell any restaurant staff the secret password—“trick or treat”—to receive classic candy, Halloween-inspired macaroons and more. The hotel company also announced its biggest sale of the year, with 35% off your stay through Sept. 30, 2021.
Gaylord Hotels is celebrating the holiday at properties throughout the country with scavenger hunts, pumpkin decorating and craft cocktails for the adults. At Gaylord Rockies in Colorado, visitors can (responsibly) gather for local, historical ghost stories and movies under the moonlight; Gaylord Opryland in Nashville offers group arts and crafts with wines from Jackson Wine Estates; and Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas has a Halloween-themed escape room and pumpkin decorating events for groups. Each resort is offering special packages between $179 and $259 a night that include Halloween amenities for kids.
