![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F72ae8c3b-d3e9-4edc-a6e0-0a758ef3d361_1024x1024.png)
Halloween has always been my favorite time of year, and October my favorite month (which is why I decided to get married in it).
In places in the world that actually have a mild climate and a change of seasons, not just the 9 months of summer and three months of chill that Southern California experiences, the crunch of earth-toned leaves beneath my feet and the cool breeze on my cheeks bring me to a state of serenity and bliss.
The days are going to grow darker, and Halloweenâs approach means the holiday season has officially started, as we all witness the Christmas decor lining shelves of over zealous retailers.
Halloween is much enjoyed by children and adults alike, but then easily forgotten as the night closes and flips to the first of November; old decorations and leftover candy the only remnants of the thinly veiled night.
Here are 13 things that I love about Halloween, in no particular order, that help me savor every spooky momentâwell beyond the nightâbefore we eat our way through Thanksgiving meals and play Christmas music on repeat.
Practical Magic. It turned 25 this year, but the magic it holds is timeless and can be watched well beyond Halloween as a cozy fall classic. For prolonged vibes, read the book and/or its prequel.
The Addams Family & The Addams Family Values. This scary and spooky family need no introduction to this listicle, especially with the rebooted success of Netflixâs Wednesday. But the under-appreciated sequel will ride us all the way to fall break and Thanksgiving dinner. Nothing beats Pugsly dressed like a turkey, declaring to be eaten, or Wednesday rewriting history during the campâs pageant.
Dia de los Muertos. Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are tightly linked in similarities, which is why I believe they are immediately adjacent to each other. As Allison explains so concisely in Hocus Pocus, All Hallows Eve is the night in which the veil between the living world and the deadâs becomes thinnest, allowing a crossover. With the overwhelming amount of costumes available today, most everyone has forgotten that the point of dressing up was to dress as the dead in order to blend in, not to be a sexy version of anything on the planet. Dia de los Muertos, however, is concentrated on remembering those loved ones that have passed on. Itâs a great way to pause and be thankful for those you have loved and reflect on your time together. You could even leave out their favorite food underneath their photo on your mantel or set up your own ofrenda.
Pumpkins. With the hailing of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, this orange beauty is now celebrated as early as August, because âbasicsâ like me love the taste and the coziness is conjures. Pumpkins are obviously a signature during Halloween time due to the tradition of the Jack Oâ Lantern, but you better believe this basic bitch rides the pumpkin wave all the way to Christmas dinner with a traditional pumpkin pie. Such holiday versatility.
The Color Orange. Orange is quickly associated with autumn and Halloween, but orange is also the color of transition. This cozy and invigorating color will placate us through October and November, transitioning us through the holiday season until itâs time to dawn the mistletoe and holly.
The Color Black. Obviously the other color dominantly associated with Halloween, black is my favorite color because it is timeless and goes with anything. Black is sophisticated and elegant, and itâs a color you can always keep around to easily conjure up some spoopy vibes as needed.
The Color Red. Red will take us from Halloween and hop us over to Christmas, taking us from the blood red drip of vampire bites to the cheerful hues of holly berries and chilled cheeks. Red is activating and versatile, it can signal danger or ignite passion. I most love to use red in its boldest hue on my lips, another timeless classic to carry us all the way to Christmas time.
Harry Potter. Let me be clear, I am not speaking of Harry Potterâs author. The sentiments that have spewed and bubbled over the past three years have not been cozy or happy, and not something to be celebrated. But sometimes people who say awful things can write something that is lasting and wholesome. The magic of Harry Potter spans all holidays, and can be celebrated during the spoopy season well into the snow-covered days (for some of you) of 2024âs winter, whether you decide to hold a personal eight movie marathon or read the books. Please, no Cursed Child unless you are throwing it into the fire to keep warm.
Cinnamon. Cinnamon smells nice, tastes good (staring with those August PSLâs) and helps balance blood sugar. Not a PSL fan? I also love Starbuckâs Cinnamon Dolce Lattes, but they can be a little on the sweet side. Or just simply sprinkle cinnamon over your warm beverages this season, or atop a bowl of oats. So good. So cozy.
Warm Beverages. Teas and coffees and hot chocolate, oh my! Chai was thrives this season, and itâs my favorite type of tea: warming and tasty and sassily spicy. Coffees are so versatile, but most importantly, warming to your chilly hands and your core. Not a fan of either? Hot cocoa makes all ages happy, especially with a mound of whipped cream.
Candles. Nothing sets the tone of the home better than lighting, and I have always loved the soft glowing ambience of a house lit by candlelight alone. Candles can also work double duty if you get scented ones, entertaining two senses at once. Even LED candles will do the trick!
Chill Music. Fleetwood Mac, Nora Jones, Lana Del Rey, or whatever puts you in a peaceful state of mind as you sit amongst your candles, warming your hands with a mug of something warm. T Swiftâs Midnights, Folklore and Evermore also bring this vibe, if you happen to be a Swiftie.
Oracle Cards. Most consider Tarot Cards a fun thing to do on Halloween, in case you pull something spooky like Death (which is really the only spooky card in the deck of 72, and it doesnât even mean death). But Tarot can be complicated and rude. If you want an honest reading that holds nothing back and gives it to you straight, Tarot away! Oracle cards are usually more positive, easier to learn, and pretty to look at. I use Oracle cards all year round, but for some reason they are cozier this time of year. Oracle decks can also span all interests, from Britney Spears to yoga to unicorns.
There you have it; 13 fun and cozy things that I love to keep the spirit of the Halloween season prolonged through the end of the fall.
Which is your favorite, or do you have different ones of your own?
Thanks for reading! Iâll be back next week with another piece of The Crush Chronicles.