HOW TO KEEP HALLOWEEN ALIVE During the Christmas Season

 

As the last leaves fall and frosty mornings settle in, it can feel like Halloween is slipping away into the shadows of the past. But what if I told you it doesn’t have to end? Halloween’s eerie charm doesn’t need to disappear with the pumpkins—it can seamlessly weave into the holiday season, creating a hauntingly magical winter wonderland. Let me show you how to embrace the spooky spirit through December and beyond.

Spooky Meets Festive: Haunting Holiday Decor

Why choose between bats and baubles when you can have both? Blend the eerie with the enchanting by incorporating darker elements into your holiday decor. Think black and silver ornaments, cobwebbed garlands, and a tree adorned with mini cauldrons, bats, and witches’ hats. For a truly magical touch, wrap your tree in orange and purple string lights and top it with a glittering black star. Or go with the current Tim Burton trends like a Beetlejuice tree!

Want to take it a step further? Replace traditional Christmas stockings with vintage-style witchy boots, and swap out your usual wreath for one made of twigs, feathers, and tiny skulls. The mix of macabre and merry will keep the Halloween spirit alive while embracing the season's festivity.

Movies That Marry the Macabre and Merry

Movie nights are a must for the colder months, and luckily, there are plenty of films that straddle the line between spooky and festive. Here are some chillingly good options to add to your watchlist:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas: A classic that proves Halloween and Christmas can coexist in perfect harmony.
• Edward Scissorhands: A tale of snow, solitude, and spooky beauty, perfect for a cozy winter evening.
• Gremlins: Equal parts heartwarming and horrifying, this one is a must-watch for a holiday season with a bite.
• Black Christmas (1974 or 2019): If you’re feeling brave, this slasher set during the holidays will keep you on edge.

Gather your friends or family, light some candles, and settle in for nights of eerie enchantment.

Witchy Winter Activities

Embrace the darker side of winter with activities that honour both Halloween and the holiday season. Host a “Yule-tide Séance” and invite loved ones to connect with the spirits of the season. You can also create spooky holiday crafts, like hand-painting ornaments with mystical symbols or making potion-inspired snow globes.

Another fun idea is to bake “dark” holiday treats. Decorate gingerbread cookies with ghostly designs or try your hand at black cocoa cupcakes topped with snowy white frosting. These activities bring a little Halloween flavour into the kitchen.

A New Holiday Tradition: The Haunted Advent Calendar

Who says advent calendars have to be sweet and cheerful? Create a spooky version filled with tiny Halloween-inspired trinkets, like charms, crystals, or miniature potion bottles. You can even include a horror movie recommendation or a daily mystical quote to keep the Halloween energy alive throughout December.

Find Magic in Winter’s Shadows

Winter itself has a haunting beauty that aligns with Halloween’s themes of transformation and mystery. Take nighttime walks under the moonlight, appreciating the bare trees and frosty landscapes that feel otherworldly. Read gothic novels or dive into folklore that explores the darker side of the season, like Victorian ghost stories or legends of the Yule Cat and Krampus.

Carry Halloween in Your Heart

Ultimately, keeping Halloween alive isn’t about filling your home with spooky decor or watching horror movies (though they certainly help). It’s about carrying the spirit of Halloween with you—the love of mystery, enchantment, and the thrill of the unknown.

So light a candle, sip a mug of mulled cider, and lean into the eerie beauty of winter. Halloween doesn’t have to fade—it can simply evolve, growing into something even more magical as it mingles with the holiday season.

I’d love to know how you keep Halloween alive during the Christmas season! Do you have any spooky traditions or tips to share? Drop your ideas and inspirations in the comments below—I can’t wait to hear how you keep the haunting spirit alive! 

~ Tracey