Halloween is around the corner and everyone in the neighborhood is asking “what’s the plan?” Here are some fun suggestions from Buzz Contributor Anne Wilner, an event planner who lives with her family in Larchmont Village.
Since many people (including my family) won’t be trick or treating this year (LA County has officially disouraged the activity), how will our little witches, Paw Patrol characters, and Tiger Kings take part in the festivity? As an event planner, I’ve had my fair share of questions of how to celebrate anything and everything in a pandemic.
While 2020 has certainly put a damper on traditions, it’s provided an opportunity to get creative and re-imagine the way we party. Here’s how our family will be infusing that spooky spirit back into the season!
PRE-HALLOWEEN
DIY Halloween signs – Decorating with signage is a fun way to gently let potential trick or treaters know whether or not you’ll be open for trick or treating. Pick up some washable paints and turn all of those Amazon boxes into spooky signs. If you won’t be handing out candy, some options include “GO AWAY”, “DO NOT ENTER”, and “See you Next Year.”
BOO your neighbors – Bake your neighbor a festive treat and attach a little note letting them know they’ve been “BOO’d.” Encourage them to pass on the new tradition, bake something and BOO someone else. As much as my kids love to eat sugar, they get equally excited to surprise someone with the fruits of their labors. (Adults – take it up a notch, bottle your own cocktail and let your neighbor know they’ve been BOOZED. Let me know if you need my address.)
Haunt O’Ween – This family fun Halloween “drive-through” includes 2 blocks of distanced trick or treating from your car. Actors help facilitate the experience but not to worry, they don’t come within 6 feet of your vehicle. With photo opportunities, immersive installations and pumpkin picking, it’s sure to entertain everyone. $70 per vehicle 
HALLOWEEN NIGHT
Haunted Houses – Have your kids set up a good old fashioned haunted house or set one up for them to experience. If you’re comfortable inviting another friend or two over to join your “celebration” then dress up, mask up and get ready to be spooked! Place a ghost in the window, peel grapes to feel like eyeballs, and don’t forget that a little dry ice goes a long way to set the mood!
Hide and Eek – A twist on an Easter Egg hunt. Make your kids work for the candy by setting up a “pumpkin” hunt in the backyard. You can find pumpkins that open like easter eggs here.
Virtual Trick or Treat – Instead of going door to door, delight friends and family over facetime for quick calls to shout “Trick or Treat” and show off their costumes. You can even set up a virtual party over Zoom, have a costume “parade” and read a few ghost stories from Chevalier’s Books on Larchmont!
Note: While we won’t be opening the door this year, we are hoping our festive signage and a bowl of candy in front of our gate will appease anyone venturing out. 
Anne Wilner is an event planner who lives with her family in Larchmont Village. Anne has more than fifteen years of experience in event production and management, hospitality and catering. From the moment she saw “Franck Eggelhoffer” in Father of the Bride at the age of 7, she decided she was going to be an event planner and never looked back.
