Making a Season of Halloween

By Chris Kullstroem

So Halloween is your favorite holiday but you're bummed because it's only one day a year and over before you know it? No way, man. Halloween doesn't have to be just a day � but a season. Throughout September and October, you can turn one anticipated night into an experience that lasts for two months of creepy, crawly fun.

This is how to do it:

Make or print out a calendar for September and October so you can fill in the days. Making the calendar in a Halloween design always adds to the fun.

Research what Halloween-oriented activities are happening in your area, such as haunted houses, theme park attractions, new scary movies coming out in the theaters, etc. For your full two-month season, start researching these in August. That's right, dates for Halloween events are usually posted by then.

Make a list, including dates the events are open, times, cost, location and directions. Number the events by priority - ones you definitely don't want to miss. Since most haunted houses and the like don�t open until October, events in September can include nights such as scary movie night, a ghost tour, a local theater show or play, pumpkin carving night, etc.

Put the chosen events in your calendar, one per weekend. Have the list of times, dates, etc. with the calendar for specifics.

Inviting friends and family to join in is always fun, too, especially when the plans are already set and they can just sit back and enjoy the fun. You can make these invitations yourself or buy specially made ones. (There are some great online sites that make these personalized cards for all seasons.)

Example:

You're invited to 3 Spectacular Nights of Fright:
Salem, MA Sep 23 Fright Fest
Six Flags Oct 7 Haunted Hayride
Coventry Oct 21
Please RSVP to You@anything.com

This also gives your friends and family the opportunity to enjoy Halloween as an entire season, too, and experience the holiday in a way they never have before.

In addition to weekend outings, include in your Halloween calendar planned weekday afternoon activities such as: Halloween decorating Buying/making costumes Making Halloween crafts/cards/invitations Horror movie/Halloween special night at home.

As you fill your Halloween calendar, each weekend will bring new, exciting activities to enjoy that would probably never have been thought of before. Now as an entire two-month season of fun, Halloween is no longer one long-awaited night that is over all too quickly, but has transformed into an experience that becomes one, if not the greatest holiday season ever!