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Tips for Celebrating Halloween During COVID-19
Oct. 17, 2020, 12:11 a.m.
As we come upon the 2020 holiday season, many people are saddened that Halloween will look very different this year. What's worse: we finally got Halloween on the PERFECT DAY! It falls on a Saturday during a Full/Blood/Blue Moon.
We know Coronavirus sucks, but that doesn't mean you can't still have some Halloween fun.
Today we'll discuss:
- Ways to dress up for your virtual meetings
- Alternatives to in-person Halloween parties
- How to safely trick-or-treat
How to Create a Costume for Virtual Meetings
With many people teleworking and using collaboration tools like Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams, it's easier than ever to partake in some Halloween festivities.
There are really 3 essential things to remember for a telework style cosplay:
- Video settings
- Pay attention to shoulders and up
- Use backgrounds
#1 - Check Your Video Settings
You get to turn your video on or off. Make sure your current profile photo is work appropriate for any big last-minute meetings you have. The last thing you want is for the CEO to see your profile image with you dressed as Bozo the Clown.
When you have more laid-back meetings with your team, you can easily switch on your camera and show off your costume.
#2 - Shoulders & Up
Your costume only has to be shoulder and above. Don't go above and beyond with a full-body costume.
All you need is a shirt or jacket, hat, mask, makeup, or jewelry to show off your Halloween spirit during a virtual meeting.
#3 - Backgrounds
Use a background to amplify your costume.
Zoom does a great job of putting a virtual background around people. With backgrounds, you can set an ambiance that makes it obvious what your costume is.
But what about celebrating Halloween itself? Don't worry, we have suggestions for that too.
Tips for Celebrating Halloween During COVID
But what about celebrating Halloween itself? Don't worry, we have suggestions for that too.
Since in-person Halloween Parties may not be the best idea, try hosting a Halloween Zoom Party! It may not sound as exciting, but you can set a theme, recommend some special mix drinks, and prepare some spooky zoom games.
It's all the fun of a Halloween Party without having to leave your house or clean up after. Some friends of mine had a Star Trek/Space Characters party during the virtual Dragon Con. All the drinks we made were Star Trek and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy themed.
Tips for Trick-or-Treating During Coronavirus
You can't blame kids for wanting to go trick or treating, especially given that they won't have to get to bed early for school the next day. You can still partake in the traditional festivities with some social distancing practices.
For those taking trick or treaters around the neighborhood, be sure to have everyone masked. If you are creative, you can even incorporate masks into your costume, like a ninja!
Or a doctor costume!
But also follow some basic social distancing practices.
- don't go in a large group
- take some hand sanitizer
- avoid touching your face.
For those handing out candy, be creative.
- Build a fun way to deliver candy, such as a zip line or a tube.
- Make sure it is obvious where trick-or-treaters should stand
- be prepared to handle kids or parents that don't understand what you want them to do.
Those handing out candy should also wear a mask, use hand sanitizer often, and disinfect any part of your candy delivery system that people touch.
How to Have a COVID Safe Halloween
Whatever you decide, just be safe.
We may not see a Halloween this perfect again in our lifetime, so don't let it pass by without having some fun. Be smart, stay safe, protect your neighbors, and plan ahead.