Sometimes, waking up on October 1st feels like waking up on Christmas morning, but in reality, Christmas is Halloween and lasts for a whopping 31 days. Also, sometimes is all the time. Does this mean you won't make it to Heaven? Who knows. In the mean time, let us all revel in the beauty that is the month of October and consider all of its exciting, heartwarming, and memory-inducing features.
1. Pumpkin patches.
Though clearly not exclusively reserved for the month of October, pumpkin patches definitely meet their peak during this beautiful month. Who doesn't love paying $15 to have an allergic reaction to hay? In all seriousness, the atmosphere here is unlike any other.
2. Likewise, pumpkin carving.
Depending on your personality type, digging out the guts of a pumpkin is either the best part or the absolute worst; do you go all in with bare hands, or wear a mask and gloves and use a spoon? Either way, this is great opportunity for bonding and roasting some seasonally seasoned seeds.
3. Being able to walk outside without fear of becoming next month's roast.
When the temperature hits below 75 degrees, especially in the South, winter coats are dug out and not again replaced until the following March. That is, if we are lucky and seasons occur how they are supposed to. Global warming is real, kids. That's another article.
4. Pumpkin spice everything.
Certainly the most basic feature, but definitely worth noting; the fact that everyone seems to develop a keen desire for pumpkin spice during this month, even if in any other time of year they would heartily reject it, is an anomaly that demands research.
5. It's acceptable to wear both cold weather clothes and warm weather clothes.
Flannel in the morning, tank in the evening. What more could a person want?
6. Putting up Halloween decorations.
Almost like a similar holiday in December, but spookier. It is gratifying to participate in, exciting to watch, and welcoming to return home to; come skeleton heads, bloody window decals, orange lights, faux tombstones -- come one, come all.
7. Dressing up for Halloween.
However extravagant or not so extravagant you lean, this is undoubtedly the peak of the season. Finally, a chance to be what you never could, never would, or always have been. The sky is the limit.
8. Marathons of dated Halloween films.
Whether it be a feel good from the early 2000s or a cutting-edge thriller from the '80s, the nostalgia is unlike any other. Grab a pal, a warm blanket, and bask in the childhood memories.
9. The resurfacing of childhood halloween costumes.
Remember how much time mom spent making that for me? Or when we went into that haunted house in our neighbor's garage and then you nagged dad to start our own? How about when we would fight over the communal candy bowl the next day?
10. Football season.
Games are no longer scathing, everyone's spirits are up-and nothing beats a Saturday game at sunset.
11. Changing leaves.
Again, if we are lucky and the seasons behave accordingly.
12. Haunted houses.
Even if you are just an observer and don't particularly enjoy being scared, this opportunity to watch people get terrified of their own will is incredibly interesting.
13. Friday the 13th.
Once in a blue moon (do not quote me on this, I have no idea if that is accurate), October goes into overdrive and graces us with its 13th day being on a Friday. Parties, movies, baking- however you celebrate, you must.
