Spooky and Stress-Free:
A Chill Halloween Weekend
Perri Larkin | Writing Contributor
Unfortunately, Halloween night falls on a Monday this year. Inevitably, celebrations will take place on the preceding weekend – all that is left to decide is how to celebrate.
Without a doubt, you could find a costume party at a fraternity house and have a great time, but you’re in college. You could do that any other weekend. Or, maybe a haunted house. However, you might be unable to fit your friend group in your car to make it there. Not only that, but classes have been difficult, right? It’s settled then. A true, chill Saturday night is definitely in order.
Have a few friends over, consume your weight in chocolates and candies and enjoy the vibes of Halloween without the stress.
MOVIES & SHOWS
To get started, you’ll need the essentials. Let’s start with what to watch.
Nothing says self-care like letting yourself unwind to a good movie or show, except horror – the characteristic genre of the holiday – does not exactly scream “relaxing.”
“A movie marathon is my ideal way of celebrating Halloween with my friends, but I don’t want anything too scary,” says Brandon Smith, a freshman majoring in secondary education social science at The University of Alabama.
Below is a list of shows and movies full of the Halloween spirit without the anxiety that has you double-checking if you locked your doors.
“Corpse Bride” – Netflix
In 19th-century Europe, a gifted pianist mistakenly weds a dead woman who takes him to the underworld.
Yes, it is a Tim Burton claymation classic, but there is a reason it is so well known. If you have not seen it yet, give it a shot, and if you have already seen it, what a great movie to cozy up to, a pumpkin spice drink in one hand and a fistful of candy in the other.
“First Kill” – Netflix
Falling in love is tricky for teens Juliette and Calliope. One’s a vampire, the other is a vampire hunter and both are ready to make their first kill.
Just because it is spooky season does not mean that love isn’t in the air. Check out this Netflix Original if you are a fan of vampires, drama and CGI that rivals the absurdity of She-Hulk.
“Spirited Away” – HBO Max
During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, where humans are changed into beasts.
Of all of Studio Ghibli’s films, Spirited Away gives the most heebie-jeebies, but that unease can easily be countered by Hayao Miyazaki’s stunning visuals.
“Jennifer’s Body” – Amazon Prime
A newly-possessed high-school cheerleader turns into a succubus who specializes in killing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?
Find a bit of nostalgia for early 2000s fashion, tropes and actors with this cult classic.
FOOD
The second essential is snacks, not just candy. Below are all the Halloween delicacies you’ll need to pair perfectly with your not-so-scary movie marathon.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Extend your Halloween celebration with a seasonal breakfast courtesy of Maelee Hamlett, a freshman majoring in English at The University of Alabama.
“I love this recipe because my mom makes it every fall,” says Hamlett. “We drink apple cider, slide open the screen doors and enjoy our pumpkin pancakes along with the breeze. It’s a core memory of mine.”
Ingredients:
1 ½ Cups milk
1 Cup pumpkin puree (made from either fresh or canned pumpkins)
1 Large egg
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons vinegar
2 Cups all-purpose flour
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Teaspoons baking powder
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon ground allspice
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ Teaspoon ground ginger
½ Teaspoon salt
First, mix the wet ingredients (milk, pumpkin, egg, oil, and vinegar) and the dry ingredients (flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt) in separate bowls. Only after they are properly mixed should you add the pumpkin mixture to the bowl of powder. Whisk the batter until it is combined and prep a frying pan with cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, cook three to four spoonfuls of batter for about two minutes per side.
Witch Hats
Cooking can be difficult, and frankly, take too much energy. If you are looking for something sweet and easy for your movie marathon, “Witch Hats” are the perfect treat.
Ingredients:
1 Box of regular Oreos
1 Can store-bought frosting
1 Bag of Hershey’s Kisses
Optional:
M&Ms
Colored Frosting
Sprinkles
This recipe only takes about 15 minutes. Take a Hershey’s Kiss, smother the bottom in frosting and stick it to the center of the Oreo in order to give them the impression of a classic, pointed, witch hat. Optionally, you can spice your cookies up with sprinkles, M&Ms or frosting designs.
Candy Corn^2
What is candy corn2 you may ask? It is corn upon corn, or, alternatively, candy corn popcorn.
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup popcorn kernels (about one mini-bag of popcorn)
3 Tablespoons butter
3/4 Cup candy corn
1 Heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 Teaspoon sea salt
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla extract
Begin by melting the butter in a pot over the stove and let it melt over medium heat. Once it has melted, begin popping a bag of popcorn and add the other ingredients to the pot, stirring consistently to avoid burning around the edges. Once everything has melted together in the pot and the popcorn has finished, combine in a bowl and stir with a greased spoon or spatula to cover evenly. Finally, pour the popcorn onto a greased cookie sheet for 30 minutes to allow the candy corn coating to set and return to a crunchy texture. Optional additions are more candy corn kernels (candy corn^3?) and chocolate chips.
COSTUMES
And finally, to make this a proper Halloween get-together, you’ll need a costume.
Picture this: a warm robe, comfortable slippers, tea and a face mask. Who are you? A soccer mom while her kids are at school, Melinda Gates after the divorce – it doesn’t matter. The point is you are comfortable and productive in getting your skincare routine while.
However, you could go for the full effect.
“My goal in my Halloween costume is to feel powerful and confident,” says Ellie Stevens, a freshman majoring in nursing at The University of Alabama.
Try one of the following outfits that you can easily find in store.
Find the most Euphoria-esque outfit you own, pull out your graphic liner, your three-inch hoop earrings and rock your version of Cassie or Maddy.
Prowl thrift stores for gothic chic and extend that winged liner to transform into a vampire queen, a wicked witch or whatever else your heart desires.
That being said, there is no wrong way to celebrate Halloween – from staying out until 4 a.m.to kicking back with a Stephen King novel – we here at Alice wish you a spectacular spooky season and the happiest Halloween.
Perri Larkin serves as a writing contributor. This is their first year with Alice. They are a freshman studying international studies and Spanish with a minor in the Blount Scholars Program. They love all things nerdy.
