I passed by this cool Brownstone last week and just had to snap a photo of its fun Halloween decor, including three witches at a cauldron out front, and an entire posse of frolicking skeletons on the balcony. After Halloween had to be canceled last year, NYC is all-in for this year’s celebrations. Some of the decorations that people have up on their buildings are just insane. And that’s how we like it.
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Image Source (All Other Photos By Gail Except Where Noted)
Some of our favorite Halloween traditions may be off-the-table for this year’s scariest night, but there’s still time to create your own delicious festivities with a treat from Gourmet Gift Baskets that can be delivered direct to your door! Honored by Newsweek earlier in 2020 as a Top Food Site, Gourmet Gift Baskets has a few new offerings for Halloween that are scary good ways to treat yourself, or someone you love! Check out the Boo Baked Good Gift Box, packed with tasty sweets that I am currently enjoying here in the Chickpad.
Before we take a peak at what’s inside, can I just say that anyone would love this adorable, lidded-box that lets the gift keep on giving as it can be re-used to store whatever strikes your fancy once the enclosed treats have been gobbled up! So cute!
Brand new this season, the Boo Baked Good Gift Box, ($29.99) is stuffed with nearly dozen fresh-baked goods, including delectable, chewy chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownie cookies and a novelty crispy rice treat shaped like a giant Candy Corn. You need to see this to be sure your eyes aren’t tricking you! This very affordable gift will make anyone’s Halloween feel special.
The baked goods are individually wrapped to stay fresh, and each gift box arrives with its own greeting card, so your recipient knows it came from you.
Rice Crispy Treats are a favorite of mine since I was a wee lass and used to bake them with my Mom. I’m happy report that the Gourmet Gift Baskets bakers’ version of this classic is just as soft and chewy as I remember, and the candy coating takes it to the next level. This oversized treat is so rich that you might want share it with a friend, or wrap half of it to save for later!
Also brand new, for those looking for a more Adult-geared gift, is the Eat, Drink & Be Scary Beer Bucket ($69.99) which features delicious treats like handcrafted Kettle popcorn, peanut butter cups, and Halloween Junior Mints — packed in a fun and functional black cauldron pail — plus 6 assorted Beers that provide a perfect pairing.
Find the perfect Halloween Treats for your scary celebration now at Gourmet Gift Baskets!
All Photos By Gail Except Where Noted
October is here already — wow! — and this pandemic is still a thing that we have to make allowances for in our daily lives. The safety of ourselves and our families is a consideration for any type of activity planning, and Halloween is fast approaching. We need to keep kids safe, but their social and emotional wellness can also be affected by being unable able to participate in festivities that create so much happiness and sense of connection. How can we celebrate Halloween in the Covid life, you may ask? While door-to-do trick or treating may be off the table, we have a few suggestions for keeping the Halloween spirit alive. Parenting expert, guidance counselor, licensed educational psychologist, and board-certified behavior analyst, Reena B. Patel (LEP, BCBA) has compiled a list of practical tips addressing fun and creative ways to accommodate a traditional Halloween during this pandemic. Let’s get to it!
Does Your Neighborhood Look Like This? If Not, Make It So!
Decorate the inside and outside of your house. If you haven’t done this before, this is the year to start. Head to your local TJ Jaxx where they always have an amazing and super affordable selection of Halloween items to decorate your home — some that you will want to leave out year-round!
Create a Month of Halloween countdown. I know that October has already started, but it’s not too late to make a countdown calendar (even if you just do it for the ten days or a week heading up to Halloween) and for each day have a Halloween surprise ready to share with your child. These can include things like a Halloween coloring sheet, candy, puzzles, pencils, stickers, and small toys that you can find at your local Dollar Store. You’d be surprised how far little things like this will go toward raising a child’s spirits especially now.
There are some companies that participate in Themed Activity Boxes. While some require a subscription plan, but you can get one box just for the month of October. It can be fun to open the box and be surprised by what arrives at your door!
Connect with your child’s school and see what the teachers have planned. Volunteer to help your school create some fun Zoom halloween activities. A week of halloween Zoom costume dress up is a great example.
Get Baking! Baking is such a fun, creative way to interact with your child. Get easy recipes Here.
Have a Halloween-themed Movie Night. For kid-friendly Halloween movie suggestions, check out this article.
Freddie Kruger Jack ‘O Lantern, Very Scary!
Host a virtual Pumpkin Carving party via Zoom. The creative possibilities are endless!
Social Distancing is Important
Throw a small Social Distance-Observing House Party. Plan to get together with a small group of family and close friends who are in your ‘pod.’ You could even include a fun Halloween piñata!
Have a safe and fun Halloween, everyone!
Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, which just feels wrong. But you know what is just so right — your Video Clip of the Week: Special Halloween Edition! You’ll never believe what I found for you, because this clip for “1980’s Horror Film” from Southern California-based rock trio Wallows is just too perfect! Not only is the song a spot-on homage to classic ’80s MTV, when keyboard-driven New Wave bands ruled, but the visuals also provide an era-appropriate flashback. The fun video for “1980’s Horror Film” finds Wallows‘ lead singer Braeden Lemasters donning a Robert Smith fright wig as he recalls an elaborately romantic seduction scene waylaid by a girl who would much rather watch a horror movie than make out with him. Check it out now to relive all of your bittersweet memories of a summer romance that never was, because “1980’s Horror Film” (available via Atlantic Records on the band’s Spring EP) is just scary great! Enjoy!
The Headless Horseman (All Photos By Gail)
With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, holiday enthusiasts were able to enjoy three solid days of spooky-themed parties and events, which were happening all over the city this past weekend. Halloween in New York City: there is really nothing like it. I’m not much for dressing up, but I do love a good adventure, and this year Geoffrey and I had the most fun ever, at the Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns, which had a three-night run on Governor’s Island state park — which is about 10 minutes by ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan. I’d never been there before, so I was pretty excited to see something new. Adventure time!
This is the view of the lower Manhattan skyline in the Financial District, as seen from the island. It is very breathtaking, as you can see. To give you a little background on the park, in 1776, during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), troops raised defensive works on the island, which they used to fire upon British ships before they were taken. From 1783 to 1966, the island was a US Army post, and later, from 1966 to 1996, the island served as a major US Coast Guard installation. There are historic buildings all over and at night it looks like you are wandering around one of those abandoned mental institutions where they do the ghost hunting shows. Very Scary!
The Jack O’ Lantern trail features more than 1,000 illuminated pumpkins, carved by artists from around the tri-state area, set along a festive, paved, tree-lined pathway among the backdrop of centuries-old buildings. The more ornately carved Jack O’ Lanterns are staged on raised pedestals, and the smaller pumpkins help to light the footpath. It looks pretty cool!
Please enjoy a selection of my favorite photos, which I have grouped together in categories, just because. Let’s get to the Pumpkins OK?
Monsters and Horror Movies and Halloween Iconography
Vincent Price as a Vampire
HP Lovecraft Creation, The Cthulhu
The Mummy
Werewolf
Freddy Krueger
Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride
Here on the left we have Its‘ Pennywise the Clown as portrayed by actor Bill Skarsgard, and I’m not sure what is on the right. What did not quite make it into the frame is one of the featured artists, who was talking to visitors about what tools he uses to carve the designs and that sort of thing. That was fun.
Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King
Here are some spooky trees that I am throwing in the mix as a palate cleanser.
Halloween’s Original Bad Boy, Michael Myers
Of course it wouldn’t be Halloween without some Day of the Dead Skull Action.
Fairy Tales and Kid-friendly Characters
The Wicked Queen, Snow White and The Poison Apple
Sleeping Beauty
Monsters Inc.
Celebrities and Pop Culture
Barbra Streisand
Game of Thrones
In Memorium
George Romero
Of course, it would not be as spooky and Halloween-themed if the Jack O’ Lanterns did not also pay tribute to recently departed celebrities. There were some really good ones!
Florence Henderson
Adam West as TV’s Batman
George Michael
Mother and Daughter Actresses Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher passed away just one apart in December of 2016. Unbelievably sad. This pumpkin was a beautiful tribute to two very talented ladies.
While it’s too late for you to make it to this year’s walk, why not bookmark This Link right now, so you can be sure to not miss next year’s Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns!
See You Next Year! Happy Halloween!
Photo By Gail
Yes, It Exists: This Inflatable Pink Wig was spotted in the Flying Tiger shop on Third Avenue near 73rd Street in Manhattan. Sells for just $6.00! What a bargain!
