Great news! Halloween isn’t cancelled! But it will be a little different this year.

Due to COVID-19, 2020 has been a year filled with challenges, but as we move closer to the holiday season, we are starting to think about how we can celebrate again. The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone in the United States, even if it’s just been in a small way, and although we can start to get out again and socialize, we need to find ways to do that safely. Given the impact the virus has had on the economy, we also need to consider how to celebrate in a budget-friendly manner.

With Halloween falling on a Saturday in 2020, there’s excitement in the air – and let’s face it, we deserve it after the year we’ve had. Trick or treating, haunted houses, parties and parades are still going ahead in areas where COVID-19 numbers are low, but it’s imperative that if we’re going to celebrate, we do it wisely.

The following tips can help you enjoy Halloween safely and on a budget.

Trick or treating 

Before you take off with the kids around the neighborhood, there are a few things to remember. First, check its allowed. As mentioned, only suburbs that have low COVID numbers will be allowed to participate. If you can go, make sure you pack the hand sanitizer and use it after each house. Stick to areas that you know well and of course, don’t forget your mask. You might also consider avoiding cramped haunted houses where the risk of COVID spreading is much greater (screaming people = saliva droplets). 

Dress for the occasion

Masks are more fashionable than ever now, so take advantage of that and include a mask in your costume. The Scream Mask will not only help to keep the germs away from you, but it will also scare the living daylights out of other trick or treaters. You might also wear your usual COVID-safe mask under your costume provided it doesn’t restrict breathing and isn’t too hot to do so – or get creative and make your mask part of the costume. Paint them, color them, draw on them to match your outfit – this will also save money on expensive dress-up masks.

Give out treats safely

Thanks to COVID-19, handing over a dish filled with candy that 100 other children have already touched is a definite no-go. Instead, buy individually wrapped treats and put them out in your front yard, on your mailbox or front step. Spread them out so children don’t have to get too close to each other. If you really love to take part, make sure you wear your mask and wash your hands thoroughly before handing out the treats.

If you’re going to party, stay outside

If you’re planning a Halloween party, rather than decking out your lounge room with all the usual Halloween decorations, create an outdoors ghost house instead. Staying outdoors allows for more space to social distance. If you’re setting up chairs and tables, ensure there is plenty of space between them. Providing food? Stay away from shared-food bowls and stick to individual plates.

Check event details carefully

If you are lucky enough that your local community is still holding their annual Halloween parade or festival, you likely won’t want to miss it! But you need to take care and check the event details. Are they limiting the number of people who can attend? Is it indoors? Will social distancing laws be adhered to? And of course, if you suffer from illness that is easily impacted by COVID, or you’re not feeling well in general, stay home.

Stick to a budget

This year has been hard on all our pockets and although it is exciting that we can get out and about for Halloween, you don’t want to blow your annual budget on one night. If you are having a party, ask everyone to bring a share plate of individually wrapped food. Bake cupcakes and hand those out to the neighborhood children rather than spending money on expensive candy. And rather than a big, expensive party, why not have a Halloween Movie Night instead and set up a projector on your garage door, or in the loungeroom if the weather isn’t great. Keep your extra dollars for investments instead. 

There’s no doubt that 2020 has taught us resilience, so bring that focus into your Halloween celebrations and you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Happy trick or treating!

This is a guest post by Luke Fitzpatrick. He has been published in Forbes, The Next Web, and Influencive. He is a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, lecturing in Cross-Cultural Management and the Pre-MBA Program.