Yes! It is that time of year when the leaves have all changed colors and migrated to the ground. The air has a bit of a snap to it, and just when you thought Gryfftober couldn’t get any better, there waiting to end a month of insanely good times, is the day of all days. HALLOWEEN! We’ll be taking a quick look at what Halloween has to offer.
Costumes! Yes, you heard me right costumes. Of course it may be hard to tell around the dorms, with some of the kooky creations we tend to wear when sleep deprived or while sleepwalking to the kitchens, but costumes are a huge part of Halloween. So, what kind of costume would you like to try? What you pick depends of course on what you wish to be. If you are looking for a scary costume idea you may try wandering the halls with razor sharp teeth, dressed as none other than our very own HOH Missa Matz. If you run into any 1st years you may even get a scream or two. If comedy is more your forte’ why not try dressing up as the Easter squirrel devouring a Basilisk. Really your imagination is the only limit, and from what I have seen we are all in for a treat.
Candy! How sweet it is to be---ahem yes focus--- It seems that some of our house members survive entirely on the nutrients found in chocolate frogs and peppermint imps. However the wizarding world has tons of sugary options and those familiar with muggle candies, know the list is limitless. The only strange thing about muggle Halloween candy is that it seems to come in unusually small packages. Which leads me to believe they are expecting sugar shortages (possibly created by my very own candy consumption). Whatever your taste, be sure to treat yourself to something sweet!
Trick or treating? I am sure we all know how this works, but just to avoid any awkward moments where you knock on the door and throw candy at someone (which I never did, well maybe once, but I was only 6) You go door to door and say “trick or treat?“ I have found that nearly all those that are actually answering doors will settle for a treat. Why not shake things up this Halloween and offer something more unusual. Like a trick or tweet. You simply have to carry around enchanted paper birdies that are charmed to be relentless squawkers. They will drive the people bonkers with their endless chatter. That way you get to hand out a bit of a trick and a tweet!
Ghost stories! Oooooooh! *does best ghost impression* The tradition of telling ghost stories on Halloween dates back thousands of years, and though the stories may have changed, it seems everyone still enjoys a good scare. I find the most effective ghost stories are the ones that end in an unexpected person/poltergeist/sock-puppet jumping out at the end and surprising the socks off of everyone. If it doesn’t scare them, well at least you will already be dressed in your costume. Why not challenge yourself to see if you can catch your friends unawares!
Remember to be safe, stay up late, score some candy and most of all have a Happy Halloween! If you need any advice on a good ghost story I’ll be hiding under my bed until November 1st.