Tag: halloween

Celebrating Halloween During a Pandemic

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Holidays.

For some of us, our fondest childhood memories of autumn have always been the memories of trick-or-treating and celebrating Halloween. And as parents, we want to share those experiences with our children so that they can form great memories as well.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine have pretty much destroyed some of those opportunities this year. But parents shouldn’t just throw in the towel and cancel Halloween just yet. Instead, you should plan for some pandemic-friendly activities for your little ones this fall.

Try some of these great Halloween activities with your family:

  1. Go Trick-or-Treating (From a Distance) — First, Halloween and trick-or-treating may not be safe in all areas, particularly where COVID has flared up heavily. However, you may be able to have a “socially distanced” trick-or-treat experience by wearing surgical masks with your Halloween costume and going to neighbors who are leaving the treats out on the lawn in separate packs for the kids to pick up. Also, be sure to include lots of hand sanitizer to use in between homes.

 

  1. Have a Zoom Costume Contest — If you are stuck at home and have lots of friends and family that you miss, one way to get in touch on Halloween is with Zoom. You can have an online party with all of your friends and their children and have the kids model their Halloween costumes for the adults. You can also get others to be impartial judges and pick the best or scariest costumes. During your modeling, be sure to throw on a Halloween soundtrack like “Monster Mash” or “Thriller.”

 

  1. Have a Scary Movie Double Feature — There are lots of streaming options out there that have plenty of scary movies you can watch no matter what age you are. For the little kids, you might want to choose a tame film like Hocus Pocus or The Addams Family. But for the older kids (or the adults when the little ones go to sleep) you can try classic horror films like Night of the Living Dead or Friday the 13th.

 

  1. Carve a Jack-O-Lantern — This is an activity that is always a Halloween winner but is also possible to do during quarantine. There are hundreds of different jack-o-lantern patterns available online or for purchase. Just be sure to get a good carving tool kit that can make it easier. And, for the little ones, consider getting glow-in-the-dark paint and other craft materials that you can glue onto the pumpkins without having to carve them.

This Halloween, you don’t have to let the pandemic ruin your plans to make lasting memories with your family. Instead, just do some careful planning and enjoy some of these safe activities with your friends and kids.

 

**********

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Halloween Activity Idea List for 2019

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Holidays, Motherhood.

October is on its way and many people are already looking forward to the coming of cooler temperatures and chilly autumn nights. But if you’re like a lot of us, October gets you thinking of one thing—Halloween!

This is the holiday that lets you get your scare on and enjoy the creepier side of Denver. Let’s take a look at some of the best activities for adults and families this year:

  • Elitch Gardens Fright Fest — This popular theme park is already a family favorite. But in October, the park stays open late for Fright Fest, featuring a series of haunted houses (including a circus themed one, so beware the creepy clowns) and a “fully-immersive” ghost story experience called Séance. These activities require an adult over 18 to accompany the kids and are only recommended for those 12 and over.

 

  • Denver Zoo — If you are looking for something better suited for the little ones, then consider the Enchanted Hollows at the Denver Zoo. It features an immersive art walk along with other fall time family favorites, such as pumpkin carving and cornhole. Older kids and adults can try out the ax throwing, and everyone can enjoy the “Scary-oke” sing-along.

 

  • Pumpkin Nights — Another family favorite is held at the Adams County Fairgrounds. This event features 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins on display, as well as many more Halloween displays on hand to entertain your family. The festival also has outdoor movie screenings, bounce houses, a fire show, and snacks when you work up an appetite.

 

  • Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas — Don’t let the title of this one fool you. Tim Burton’s film classic has become a perennial favorite for fans of both Christmas and Halloween. This year, the Colorado Symphony will have a screening of the film complete with live orchestral music. This one is sure to be a blast for movie and music fans.

 

  • Denver Botanic Garden’s Corn Maze — A favorite for those who like their fun a little less scary is the corn maze at Denver’s Botanic Gardens. The seven-acre corn maze is a great place to get lost and explore. And, if you do like a level of creepiness, then come back in the evening for the After Dark Corn Maze and Dead Zone Scream Park.

 

  • Denver Zombie Crawl – Halloween without zombies? Celebrate the living dead by dressing up as a zombie and coming out for the party which features vendors, a costume contest, and a physical challenge for teams called the “Organ Trail.”

There is plenty to do this October to celebrate the creepiness of the Halloween season. So whether you are an adult who enjoys being scared or a family that just likes a little bit of spookiness with your fun, there is plenty to choose from.

**********

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Autumn Activities Bucket List for Families

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Motherhood.

Autumn is almost here, and for many of us it’s our favorite time of the year. Maybe it has something to do with the sights, the smells, and the cooler temperatures that require snuggling up under a warm blanket, but there’s definitely something magical about the fall.

If you’re looking for something to do this fall with your family, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at the following bucket list activities for autumn and find one to try this year. Who knows, you may create a lasting family tradition!

• Visit a corn maze — Cornfields and ears of corn have long been a symbol for fall. This fall, visit a local corn maze and have fun getting lost and trying to navigate through the maze. (Just don’t cheat and walk through the maze “walls.”) This trend has really taken off with some corn maze farms getting VERY elaborate with their designs, including some inspired by John Deere tractors and the television show Stranger Things.

• Get in the Halloween spirit — There are actually a few things that you can do this year to make sure your family is ready for Halloween. First, visit your local pumpkin patch and pick out the perfect pumpkins to take home and carve into jack-o-lanterns. There are hundreds of free patterns for pumpkin carving that you can find.

You can make your own costumes together then go trick-or-treating as a family. If you really want to go all out, choose a theme costume for all of you. I’m a huge fan of the Aladdin, Jasmine, and Abu the monkey family costume.

• Get spooky — If you like your Halloween experience to be a little spookier, try having a Halloween horror movie marathon. For the younger kids, pick out cartoons and family-friendly options like Frankenweenie, Hocus Pocus, or Disney’s Halloweentown.

Older kids may love to be introduced to the black and white monster classics like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, see if any local tour groups are offering ghost or cemetery tours. These can be a great way to find out more about local history and legends while getting a good scare in!

• Autumn treats — Autumn has its own menu of delicious seasonal treats that you should definitely partake in. These include pumpkin lattes (there’s a reason they are so popular), roasted pumpkin seeds, and apple cider. Consider baking a homemade apple or pumpkin pie to celebrate the season and make an extra while you’re at it for your neighbors. Finally, fall wouldn’t be complete without a nice campfire and roasting marshmallows and making smores.

Autumn is a great opportunity to spend time together doing activities as a family. Now that the kids are back in school, take advantage of your evenings and weekends to cross these items off your bucket list.

 

**********

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.