Categories
Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

Halloween Cards

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween wishes to friends and family. Make your own cards for fun and unique designs. Here are some Halloween card ideas I have used over the years. 

Pumpkin Cards

To make your own pumpkin cards, fold an orange sheet of construction paper in half. Trace a pumpkin on the paper so that the design edge is along the folded edge. Cut out the pumpkin – but be sure to leave the folded edge uncut. Lastly, draw on your carved face and add a green stem. 

Bat Cards

For an extra challenge, try making a bat card. The pictures are for a Christmas card version, but if you leave off the Santa hat, it is a beautiful Halloween bat. 

For this one I created a template – which is especially useful if you are making 60+ cards. I traced the outline of a bat on some thick paper and cut it out. I then traced the template on a piece of scrap paper and folded it to make sure the wings crossed the bat’s body properly when closed. I adjusted the template as needed. Once happy with it, I took my template and traced it on my black construction paper. Since I was making a lot of these cards, I also made templates for the bat belly, ears, and mouth. I traced them on red paper and cut them out. The eyes were just hole-punched white paper.

Next, I outlined all the pieces in black sharpie and glued them on the bat body. I used a bone file to crease the wings three times for that bat-like fold. 

Repurposed Cards

I am a big fan of not letting things go to waste. My Grandma had a ton of generic greeting cards sent to her from charities she donates to; cards she never planned to use because they didn’t quite suit her taste. So, I took some and used Halloween stickers to bring them back from the dead. Every card is unique!

Sayings for Inside Your Cards

You have made your card, but do you need something to write inside it? Try some of these spooky greetings:

  • When witches abound and ghosts are seen, your fate you will learn on Halloween
  • Have a Happy Halloween! Hold you candle steady and keep a sharp lookout. For back among the shadows, you’ll see goblins peeping out.
  • Watch your sept for it’s Halloween. The time when witches and spooks convene.
  • By pumpkins fat and witches glean, By coal black cats with eyes of green, By all the magic ever seen… I wish you luck this Halloween.
  • When black cats prowl, and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween!
  • A Halloween merry, a Halloween bright. Though pumpkins make faces and ghosts walk at night, let no noises scare you, and don’t start to run. For ’tis but a joke, and Halloween fun.
  • Light all the pumpkins and let their weird gleam call witches and goblins to keep Halloween.

I’d love to see your card creations! Show me on Facebook & Instagram

For more card crafts, check out my Spooky Christmas Cards

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Music

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist.

The Song List

This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern ballads. It makes me think of cozy mornings with a hot cocoa or pumpkin spice latte, crisp afternoons in the yard, and then early twilight. It is a perfect background for wistful moments and daydreams of Fall.

Listen to the playlist on Youtube.

Playlist Song Explanations

1. "Autumn Leaves" - Nat King Cole

Autumn Leaves is an English adaptation of the French song, Les Feuilles Mortes (“The Dead Leaves”) composed by Joseph Kosma. Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics (which differ from the original French). Throughout the 1950’s popular artists covered the song, and it is still a jazz standard to this day. My favorite version is this one from Nat King Cole (as well as his French & Japanese versions). As one of the most famous and recognizable songs about the Fall season, it is a wonderful way to start this playlist.

2. "Autumn in New York" - Billie Holliday

Time to sit at the window with a pumpkin matcha latte and enjoy the view. New York certainly has some of the most beautiful autumn weather in the country. 

Another jazz standard (composed by Vernon Duke in 1934), this song has also been covered by many of the prominent artists of the time. With her sultry and soothing voice, Lady Day’s version is by far my favorite.

3. "'Tis Autumn" - Nat King Cole Trio

Nat King Cole has a plethora of songs about the season, so let’s listen to one more. Keep your lazy morning going with this gentle jazz tune. I enjoy the silly little lyrics about the changing weather and the chorus: “La-di-da-di-da-di-dum, ’tis autumn”

4. "Early Autumn" - Anita O'Day, Marty Paich & His Orchestra

Early Autumn was composed by Ralph Burns and Woody Herman. Lyrics are by Johnny Mercer – who also did the English lyrics for Autumn Leaves. As with the others on this list so far, there are a number of notable recordings of jazz artists of the mid-20th century. Anita O’Day’s version is dreamy and wistful – another autumn morning in a cafe feel.

5. "Autumn Serenade" - Joanie Sommers

Autumn Serenade was co-written by Peter DeRose and Sammy Gallop. First recorded in 1945, it is yet another song that multiple artists have fallen in love with and covered. This version by Joanie Sommers is from 1963. 

Let the fall-inspired lyrics and dreamy melody take you to the end of your peaceful autumn morning.

“Through the trees
Comes Autumn with her serenade
Melodies
The sweetest music ever played
Autumn kisses we knew
Are beautiful souvenirs
As I pause to recall
The leaves seem to fall like tears
Silver stars
Were clinging to an Autumn sky
Love was ours
Until October wandered by”

6. "Sweater Weather" - Myles Smith

Let’s transition from a lovely morning to a crisp fall afternoon.

Myles Smith’s cover of Sweater Weather from The Neighborhood takes the alt rock feel of the original and turns it into a soothing acoustic piece. The bitter-sweet feel of the song is a little like Autumn itself. The fullness of summer has waned and now we head toward the cold of winter – but autumn has its own beauty. 

7. "Autumn Leaves" - McKenna Grace

Not to be confused with the classic song earlier in this list, Autumn Leaves by McKenna Grace was released in 2023 as part of her sophomore album of the same name. Both an actress and a singer, Grace is no stranger to horror – she has appeared in many horror hits, including The Haunting of Hill House, Annabelle Comes Home, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and Scream 7. On her official website, she described the album:

This ep is about my first heartbreak, the first time I actually thought I was in love. Though looking back now it was a bit silly, I still felt all those things and my way to process through a hurtful silence was to write. I went from being best friends with someone to not hearing from them for a long time... Being left without closure is so confusing and upsetting so I channeled all my sad autumn feelings into this ep. I love fall 🙂 and I love some good sad music, so what's better than an autumn heartbreak ep? This is for anyone who's experienced any kind of heartbreak, ghosting, love, silence, sad Fall. Anyone who's still waiting for closure, who holds onto things/memories for far too long, or anyone who doesn't know what to do with that couples Halloween costume now"

8. "We Fell In Love in October" - Girl in Red

Released in November 2018, We Fell in Love in October is a song by Norwegian indie rock singer-songwriter Marie Ulven a.k.a. “Girl in Red”. The song is about her first queer romance, a declaration of love for her first girlfriend. She described the creation of the song and meaning behind the lyrics in a 2018 interview for The Fader.

This song captures the romantic feel of autumn and hope of young love.

9. "October Sky" - Yebba

Folk art and traditions abound in the Autumn season, that is why this song’s folk-infused melody remind me of a Fall afternoon. The ballad is a tribute to the singer’s mother and describes a particularly cherished memory of an October day. 

10. "Blackbird" - Sarah McLachlan

This is a cover of the 1968 song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney. While it does not have a direct connection to the Fall season, it reminds me of afternoons spend at craft fairs and harvest gatherings. I think of blackbirds perched atop kitschy scarecrows and bales of hay. It’s folk sound is a backdrop to an autumn afternoon spent wandering amidst the changing leaves. 

11. "October 25th" - Sadie Jean

On her Instagram, Sadie Jean said that this song was inspired by six years of dramatic occurrences all on the same (seemingly cursed) October date. Luckily, I don’t have any trauma on any October date, but I still appreciate the pensive and somber feel of this song – a bit like an autumn twilight.

“Leaves turn but people don’t change, they get older”

12. "Full Moon" - The Black Ghosts

Our Autumn day is nearing its end. The sun has set and we are walking through a neighborhood lit by glowing jack-o-lanterns and the moon. A full moon is an icon of the Halloween season, so this song definitely gives spooky season vibes. It is also forever tied to horror-adjacent romance as a song from the Twilight soundtrack. It plays right at the films opening sequence.

13. "October" - Broken Bells, Danger Mouse, James Mercer

Let’s finish up by the light of an Autumn moon with this indie-rock ballad. Featured on the Broken Bells’ debut album, blends some autumn imagery with a tale of growing up. It is a fitting way to end a nostalgic playlist about my favorite season.

And That's the Autumn Dreams Playlist!

Did you like it? What songs are on your Autumn playlist? Let me know on Facebook and Instagram.

Need more Halloween & horror-themed tunes to get through your day? Check out more music and playlists here.

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Emily

My Familiars

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the planet. Let me introduce you to them.

Scuffalo

His name is a portmanteau of “Scare” and “Buffalo”. Scuffalo is the most emotionally intuitive cat I have ever owned. If you are sad or not feeling well, he will come over to snuggle. He gladly puts up with being held like a baby or being poked and prodded by guests and children. Though he can carry himself well, he is more likely sprawled out somewhere in a mess of gangly limbs, belly ready for scratching.

Born on Halloween along with his sister, Jinx, he is the perfect partner to watch scary movies with. He is also always there as I type away at my blog, waiting for treats and snuggles.

Jinx

Jinx is far livelier and more mischievous than her brother. A tuxedo cat with a lopsided white streak on her chin, she is curious and always looking for the next bit of trouble she can get into. She is our resident bug catcher and occasional pancake thief. When I hear a scary sound late at night, she is always right there investigating with me. She also sleeps right on my pillow with me, keeping my head warm like a furry little hat. 

Lillia

Lillia isn’t actually one of my familiars; she is my roommate’s cat. She does, however, silently judge me from atop my computer daily, so she serves a similar function. Though she loves to be in the same room as others, she likes her personal space. Scuffalo also likes her personal space, often causing skirmishes around the apartment. 

Former Familiars

A great cat may only cuddle on your lap for a brief portion of your life, but she will remain in your heart forever.

Spooky was a remarkable black cat with eyes of two different colors. She would come when summoned and loved to socialize in a room with guests. A well-travelled cat, she road tripped across the U.S. from Buffalo to Los Angeles with my Honey-Bunny. She was loyal, smart, and a great Halloween cat.

Iris was my first tuxedo cat. When I found her at the shelter, I fell in love with how curious and adventurous she was. She boldly strutted around the room and seemed to be quite the friendly cat. When I took her home, however, I found that she was actually just an amazing actress. Shy and skittish, she preferred to spend her days on the bed and hiding in my room. She was a good model, though, posing for quite a few pictures and being featured in a few of my short films in college.

Spazzy was my roommate’s former familiar. I only have a couple photos of her because she liked to hide in dark places and attack anyone who came too near. She may have been part troll. Yet, my roommate maintains that when it was just the two of them, she was cuddly and sweet.

I have taken time today to appreciate all my familiars – both past and present. Be sure to do the same for yours. Whether they be furry, scaly, fuzzy, or a pet rock, they make our worlds a better place.

Show me your familiars on Facebook & Instagram

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment

Halloween Podcasts

Halloween Podcasts

Looking for Halloween podcasts to add to your listening rotation? Here are 5 programs for haunters and Halloween enthusiasts I recommend.

Haunted Attraction Network

The Haunted Attraction Network is the leading news resource for the haunted attraction industry. Full disclosure, I am a part of this one, writing the network’s weekly newsletters. That, however, just allows me to attest to the quality of this network. The newsletters are converted to a weekly podcast, narrated by Darryl Plunkie. HAN also releases occasional interviews and recordings of industry meetings & panels. Their backlog of episodes is extensive and includes a plethora of how-to podcasts, marketing tips, haunter interviews, and more.

View the full website here

A Scott in the Dark

Scott Swenson has over 30 years experience as a writer, director, producer and performer. He spent 21 years with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and then formed his own company, Scott Swenson Creative, and has worked with clients including Sea World, Busch Gardens, Cedar Fair, and more. A Scott in the Dark covers a wide range of topics regarding haunts and themed entertainment. Even if you aren’t in the haunted attraction industry, his stories are enthralling and his lessons regarding customer service, building a team, and guest experience can be applied to many other businesses. His last episode (as of this blog post) was in 2022, but his lessons are evergreen and his sense of humor and storytelling make this podcast one I listen to again and again.

What has he been up to since then? Scott has teamed up with Philip from the Haunted Attraction Network and they host a weekly podcast, Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30, where they discuss the week’s biggest theme park news. Due to both their backgrounds, there is often a discussion on Halloween & haunts, making this another podcast haunters & Halloween enthusiasts may enjoy.

By Pumpkin's Light

Learn stories behind your favorite creators of Halloween magic with By Pumpkin’s Light. Created by Mike from All Hallows Geek and Miranda from Spooky Little Halloween, this twice-monthly podcast interviews “the makers, shakers, and magic-creators from the Halloween community”. Guests talk about their current projects, favorite Halloween memories, and many other interesting spooky subjects. Some of my favorites so far include interviews with Sam Stair of Halloween Happy, Amanda R. Woomer (a fellow Tonawandan), Philip Hernandez of Haunted Attraction Network, and Michele Prebich of Bat in Your Belfry.

HaunTopic

HaunTopic is a monthly audio podcast about how to start and grow a haunt or Halloween event, produced by Brian Foreman of Haunters Toolbox. Each month a haunter is interviewed to share their haunt knowledge and teach specific skills. The episodes are recordings of a live stream, open to members of the Haunters Toolbox Facebook page. Live viewers can submit their questions and help to shape the conversation. 

This podcast is an educational resource for anyone wanting to be a part of the Halloween industry.

Big Scary Show

Big Scary Show features haunt interviews, news, convention recaps, and more. The podcast began in 2012 as a collaboration between Drew Badger, “The Unknown Scare-Actor”, Storm, and the Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne. It has since become a haunt industry staple. You can often find Drew and his team in their booth at some of the haunt industry’s biggest trade shows. They are a friendly bunch, and their episodes are interesting with much insightful commentary on current events and the state of the industry as a whole.

Those 5 top my Halloween podcasts lists. What do you listen to? Let me know on Facebook & Instagram

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Food Lifestyle News

Hershey Halloween 2026

Hershey Halloween 2026

The Hershey Halloween 2026 lineup is here! The Hershey Company has unveiled its largest and most diverse Halloween portfolio to date, offering something for every Halloween tradition and celebration. With more than 20 innovations across chocolate, sweets, and salty snacks, there is something for everyone to enjoy this Fall.

Seasonal Shapes & Chocolate Favorites

Chocolate is still the #1 choice for trick-or-treaters across the country. Hershey has some of my personal favorites – like Reese’s and Kit Kat. 

This year’s lineup of new launches and returning classics include:

  • KIT KAT® Count & Witch: The return of the classic wafer and chocolate combination, this year offered in new pack types, reimagined in two breakaway spooky shapes. The treat is also available in regular and king size bars, as well as a 6-pack built for sharing.
  • Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme Fangs Snack Size: A fang-shaped version of the classic iconic Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme flavor, making its Halloween comeback for the first time since 2024. This spooky treat is a seasonal favorite, offering a playful scare and snack.
  • Hershey Halloween All-Stars: An assortment of 18 full-size, limited-edition Halloween shapes and flavors, including Reese’s Pumpkins, KIT KAT Count & Witch shapes, KIT KAT Ghost Toast and Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies. This seasonal variety pack brings together Hershey’s most exciting Halloween innovations in one convenient box.  
  • Reese’s Pumpkins: An iconic Halloween treat, Reese’s classic chocolate and peanut butter combination comes in a pumpkin-shaped format. 

Fruity, Chewy, and Gummy Halloween Candies

While chocolate remains the anchor of Halloween, The Hershey Company’s recent Unwrapping Halloween: Hershey’s State of the Season Report, indicates that in October 74% of parents are likely to buy gummy candy and fruit chews, and 64% are likely to buy sour strips or belts. 

New innovations and assortments in Fruit & Gummy candy from the Hershey Halloween 2026 lineup include:

  • Sweets Assortment Stand-Up Bag: A variety-packed assortment featuring the introduction of Sour Strips to the Hershey seasonal portfolio, as well as Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies Minis, Jolly Rancher Gummies Minis and Twizzlers Twists in Strawberry flavor. The mix is perfect for every sweet tooth, delivering a range of fruity, chewy, sweet and sour favorites.
  • Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies Minis Snack Size: Bursting with bold fruit flavors, these chewy bites keep trick-or-treaters guessing with colors that don’t match the flavor, creating a fun, interactive candy experience. Available in seasonal Halloween shapes and flavors including Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Grape and Watermelon, Jolly
  • Jolly Rancher Gummies Minis Snack Size: Fruit-shaped gummies packed with bold, juicy fruit-flavors. The poppable format makes them ideal for on-the-go snacking while bringing exciting variety to candy mixes and Halloween sharing occasions.
  • Jolly Rancher Gummies Assortment: A mix of snack-size sour and sweet gummies, including Jolly Rancher Sour Gummies Minis, Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies Minis, Jolly Rancher Gummies Minis and Jolly Rancher Sour Gummies Minis Awesome Reds. The assortment offers standout flavors and textures to both sour and sweet candy lovers.

Salty Snacks

Prefer salty to sweet? No worries, Hershey has you covered. Beyond the candy bowl, Hershey’s broader portfolio offers a range of salty options, including:

  • Pirate’s Booty Trick-or-Treat: Pirate’s Booty’s signature aged white cheddar puffs deliver a light, airy crunch in individually portioned snack packs. The format gives families a savory, non-candy option for trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treat events and Halloween parties.
  • Pirate’s Booty Boos & Bites: Halloween-themed Pirate’s Booty puffs feature ghost and monster shapes with the brand’s signature aged white cheddar flavor. The snack-size packs bring a playful savory option to seasonal snacking, parties and trick-or-treat occasions.
  • Reese’s Sweet & Salty: Snack-size packs of Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers, Reese’s Dipped Pretzels and Reese’s Filled Pretzels bring together Reese’s chocolate and peanut butter with salty, crunchy formats. The brand new, cross-category assortment delivers a sweet-and-salty seasonal mashup.
  • SkinnyPop Halloween Packs: Individually packaged SkinnyPop popcorn in Halloween-themed packaging, designed for seasonal snacking and sharing. This lighter, better-for-you option gives consumers a salty alternative that extends Halloween celebrations beyond the candy bowl.
  • LesserEvil Pumpkin Spice Popcorn: A seasonal popcorn offering that brings warm cinnamon-and-spice fall flavor to everyday snacking. Ideal for consumers seeking a salty way to enjoy pumpkin spice throughout the Halloween season.
  • LesserEvil Spooky Popcorn: LesserEvil popcorn brings a lighter, better-for-you salty snack into Halloween-themed packs. The individually portioned format works across trick-or-treating, school events and Halloween celebrations.
  • LesserEvil Spooky Spaceballs: Light and airy cheese corn puffs in Halloween-themed packaging made for parties, trick-or-treating, and seasonal snacking. Delivers playful flavor and festive appeal in a convenient grab-and-go format.

From Summerween to Halloween night, The Hershey Company knows the trends, treats and tales that shape the season. 

For more information on these products please visit hersheyland.com/halloween.

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Games Other Games

The Candle Game

The Candle Game

Fortune-telling games have been played around Halloween for hundreds of years. “The Candle Game” (very vaguely named) is a very simple game that supposedly will foretell what the coming year will bring the players. Gather your friends and give it a try!

What You Need

To play The Candle Game all you need is:

  • One Orange Candle (Travel)
  • One Green Candle (Money)
  • One Pink Candle (Love)
  • A Blindfold

If you do not have the correct color candles, just label one of the candles “Travel”, one “Money”, and one “Love”. 

If you have many players at your party, you may want to get a second set of candles in case they burn too low.

How to Play

  1. Set each of the candles on a table in a row. They should be about one foot apart.
  2. Light the candles.
  3. Blindfold the player.
  4. Shuffle the candles so the player cannot know which candle is which.
  5. Spin the player around three times.
  6. Have the player walk to the table and blow out one of the candles. Whichever candle he or she blows out is their fortune for the coming year.

Repeat those steps for each player.

For more fun Halloween fortunetelling games, check out my Halloween Dividation Games post.

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Creative Writing

Halloween Journal Prompts

Halloween Journal Prompts

Let’s get cozy in our favorite spooky pajamas for a morning of journalling. I try to journal every day, but some mornings I get a serious case of writer’s block. Here are some Halloween journal prompts to inspire you for a spell.

Non-Fiction Halloween Journal Prompts

  • What is the food or drink that reminds you of fall and why?
  • Recount your first trip to a haunted house. Were you scared? Did you make it through or chicken out?
  • What was your favorite Halloween costume and why?
  • Couples costumes – cute or cringe? Why do you feel that way?
  • Pumpkin spice or harvest apple – if you could only have one, which would it be and why?
  • What would you do on your perfect autumn day? 
  • Write about your favorite Halloween season tradition. When did you start it? Who is with you? What does doing it year after year mean to you?
  • Do you think stores push Halloween too early? Are you excited for “summerween” or is it more magical to wait for Fall?
  • What is your favorite horror movie and why? Do you think you’d survive if you were a character in that movie?
  • Describe an autumn walk through your neighborhood – the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the people.
  • Pastel pumpkins, vintage orange & black, gore, or spoopy – describe your Halloween style and why you like it.
  • How do you pick the perfect pumpkin? Do you look for a certain size, shape, or color? Do you go to a pumpkin patch or run to the store Halloween morning? 
  • Write about a Halloween party you have attended in the past. What did you wear? What types of foods & drinks were provided? What was the most memorable part of the evening? 

Creative Halloween Journal Prompts

  • It’s an ultimate showdown between horror titans Freddy, Jason, Michael Meyers, Art the Clown, and Sam (from Trick ‘r Treat). How do each of them do battle, and who wins?
  • You’re walking by the old creepy house at the end of the street on Halloween night. Suddenly the door opens and a voice beckons you inside. Write what happens next.
  • Write a Halloween poem. Each line should start with a letter from “HALLOWEEN” (ex. line 1 – “H”, line 2 – “A”, line 3 “L”, and so on).
  • Every family has a ghost story that passes from generation to generation. Recount your family’s story – and be sure to add literary embellishments.
  • Describe a Halloween night from the perspective of a porch-bound jack-o-lantern.
  • Think of a recent nightmare you’ve had and turn it into a story.
  • You’re a mad scientist and have created a new monster the world has never seen. Describe its appearance, demeanor, strengths, weaknesses, and diet. Will it obey its creator, or have you created the harbinger of your own demise?
  • In the start of your workday the week of Halloween, a witch has turned your favorite co-worker into a toad. The spell will wear off at the end of the shift, but only if you both get all your work done and hide the fact that your coworker is a toad from your boss. How do you handle this situation?
  • You invited eleven of your closest friends to a Halloween masquerade. At the height of the party, you look around the room and realize there are thirteen people there. Who is the mysterious extra guest and what do they want?
  • It is Halloween afternoon and two people are vying for the last pumpkin in the local patch. Write about their antics and who ultimately takes home the prize.
  • Think of a horror movie with an ending you hate. Rewrite the finale to suit your tastes.
  • Write about a dark and stormy night from the perspective of a monster under the bed.
  • A mysterious carnival arrives in October. Describe its sights, sounds, and eerie secrets.

I hope those can help to spark your imagination! Share your works with me on Facebook & Instagram

Want to read some of my writing?

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

Halloween Season Scrapbooks

Halloween Season Scrapbooks

From haunts to hayrides, pumpkin patches to decorated neighborhoods, we do so many fun things each spooky season. Halloween season scrapbooks are a great way to save those memories and show off the pictures and paper ephemera we collect. I have created quite a few Halloween season scrapbooks over the years. Let’s take a look at some of my favorites!

Traditional Scrapbooks

Traditional scrapbooks use 12″ x 12″ paper and combine photos, papers, stickers, and other embellishments. You can design your layouts as either single pages that can be arranged in pretty much any order, or 2-page spreads that are meant to be seen together at once.

If you are new to this craft, it can be a little daunting to stare at your pile of photos and mountains of paper and stickers. Don’t worry, as we look at some of these examples, I will share my tips for unleashing your spooky creativity!

  • When starting this Knott’s Scary Farm spread, I gathered some of the paper and small mementos I saved from my trip. The room key, our pre-scare boo-fet sticker, and the hotel receipt all helped to decorate the pages. 
  • I looked at the colors and backgrounds in my photos to choose papers that complimented them. Even though some of these pages are busy patterns, the colors tie them together.
  • Journalling is very important in scrapbooking. Adding notes helps to preserve your memories and add fun context to your photos.
  • Photos don’t have to be square! To reduce a boring background and squeeze more images of friends onto the page, I cut out my photos.
  • This 2-page spread uses a repeating pattern along the top and the same background paper to tie both sides together.
  • This is one of my go-to layouts for theme park pages. I love to split the map between the two pages and add notes on it. If you know you are going to be scrapbooking your adventure, be sure to pick up some paper ephemera along the way. They are unique touches to your pages.
  • To get creative with my journalling aspects, I cut out the haunt maze names and used numbers to create my “Haunted House Ranking” list. 

Binder Scrapbooks

Don’t have 12″ x 12″ paper or the scrapbook albums? No problem. Sometimes I enjoy using up some of my office supplies and 8″ x 11″ paper to create some binder scrapbooks. I find these pretty easy to make – and they are great gifts to make for friends. Once you set up one page, it is easy to use the same layouts, techniques, and journal elements to make copies for your entire group. 

All you need to get started with these is a binder, clear page protectors, and 8″ x 11″ paper. 

  • When you have a lot of photos, sometimes a grid can look nice. I try to pair it with a page with more text and dynamic layout to make it pop.
  • Pictures are great, but sometimes you just want to make notes. These two pages were for ranking all the haunts, shows, and scare zones that year. 
  • Be careful with glue – although it dries “clear”, residue still remains. The page to the right was marred by a little excess glue. Now I use glue tape so it never spills out when I press down the paper. 
  • Get creative with your journalling. Instead of using pre-made paper, I made the Halloween shapes my tracing with cookie cutters. Then I used colored pencils to lightly color and design each shape. Finally, I took a ruler and ink pen to create the lines.
  • For this page I had each of my friends write down their favorite memory of the evening on one of the note cards. I copied their responses by hand for each of their books, but I kept their handwritten notes in my scrapbook binder copy. 
  • For the page title, “Macabre Memories”, I downloaded a spooky font and printed it out from my computer. This can be a life-saver if you have poor handwriting or want a very specific type of lettering for your page.

There is no right or wrong way to approach papercrafts. It is all about being creative and saving your memories in a way that makes you smile. Don’t be afraid to experiment. I always make a couple extra copies of photos I really love in case I make a mistake (which happens more often than I’d like to admit). Keep trying and you will see your pieces improve over time. You’ll also see your style evolve! It is fun to look back on my early scrapbooks versus what I make now. 

I’d love to see what you make! Show me your creations on Facebook & Instagram

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Categories
Entertainment Music

Horror Movie Night Playlist

Horror Movie Night Playlist

Grab some popcorn and enjoy this Horror Movie Playlist. I have collected thirteen l tie-in songs to classic horror and sci-fi films that are sure to add some groove to your horror movie night. From alternative to rap to psychedelic 60’s rock, there is something for everyone in this eerily eclectic playlist. 

The Song List

From “Ghostbusters” to “The Blob”, some horror theme songs have gained nearly as much notoriety as the film they accompanied. We really need to bring back giving horror and sci-fi releases official tie-in songs. We are missing out on so many outlandish songs – who wouldn’t want a rock ballad themed to MEGAN 2.0? While not all of these songs are official (like DJ Jazzy Jeff’s “A Nightmare on My Street”), all these songs bring back fond memories of some weird and wonderful horror and sci-fi hits. This fun lineup is a perfect backdrop to get in the mood for an evening of frightful flicks.

 

Playlist Song Explanations

1. Killer Klowns - The Dickies

Grab your cotton candy ray guns and popcorn bazookas! Let’s start this playlist with the high-energy theme from 1988’s Killer Klowns from Outer Space. The Dickies frontman, Leonard Phillips, was not able to see the film before its release, so he wrote the song & lyrics based solely on the title.  Miraculously, the song is a perfect fit with the cult-classic film, embodying the fun, whimsy, and dark humor of the film’s clown-like aliens as they terrorize a small town. 

To learn more about the backstory and legacy of this track, I recommend this 2023 Dread Central article by Rachel Reeves

2. The Green Slime - Richard Delvy

While 1968’s The Green Slime is often considered one of the worst sci-fi films of all time, its title track is a psychedelic ear worm. How can you not enjoy the over-the-top vocal presentation and silly lyrics? 

What can it be, what’s the reason?
Is this the end of all the breathin’?
Is it something in your head?
Will you believe it when you’re dead?

GREEN SLIME! GREEN SLIME! GREEN SLIME! GREEN SLIME!

Just have fun and dance along. You know I always like to have a bit of a sense of humor with these playlists. 

3. The Blob - The Five Blobs

Ten years before The Green Slime underwhelmed audiences, the OG gelatinous alien monster crept, leapt, glid, and slid onto the big screen in 1958’s The Blob. With a bouncy rhythm and beach vibes, the title track warns us to “Beware of the Blob”. 

Written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David, this became Bacharach’s first major hit as a composer. “The Five Blobs” were a group of studio musicians lead by Bernie Knee (often credited as “Bernie Nee”). Knee’s voice was overdubbed five times for the iconic vocals but he was not officially credited by the studio.

4. A Nightmare on My Street - DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Fresh Prince

Released in 1988, “A Nightmare on My Street” is an un-official ode to the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. While it was considered for inclusion on the franchise’s fourth film, the producers ultimately decided against it. New Line Cinema actually sued the record label for copyright infringement. This resulted in a disclaimer being added to all releases of the song, stating that it was not authorized, licensed, or affiliated with the Nightmare on Elm Street films. 

Despite all that, the song is a humorous and catchy love letter to the most fearsome horror icon, Freddy Kreuger. 

5. Addams Groove - MC Hammer

While everyone knows how to snap their fingers to the iconic Addams Family theme song, MC Hammer’s theme to 1991’s The Addams Family, is less well-known. The track was recorded for the film and included on MC Hammer’s 1991 album, Too Legit to Quit. Despite becoming a top-10 hit in the U.S., the song won a Golden Raspberry Award for “Worst Original Song” in 1992.

The song does not fare well outside of the 90’s – and its Raspberry win suggests it did not do too well back then either! However, this still brings some variety to a horror movie night playlist with something you don’t hear very often.

6. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker, Jr.

Alright, I have subjected you to a few outlandish songs, so as we near the halfway point to our list, I am including a familiar favorite. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker, Jr. is a staple on every Halloween playlist. Made for the 1984 comedy-horror Ghostbusters, the song spent three weeks in the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list in the U.S. The song was even nominated for an Oscar in the “Best Original Song” category. 

Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman took the helm for filming the official music video. The video features clips from the movie, the Ghostbusters themselves (Bill Murry, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson) dancing through Times Square, and celebrity cameos including Chevy Chase, John Candy, Danny DiVito, and many more. It is as zany and enjoyable as the song itself!

7. Transylvania 6-5000 - Paul Chiten

While 1985’s Tranyslvania 6-5000 was critically panned, the film will always hold a special place in my heart. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis are such a fantastic paring in every movie they appear in together, and this film has delightful twists on classic monsters from vampires to Frankenstein’s monster to the wolfman. 

The film’s title is a play on Glenn Miller’s classic big band arrangement “Pennsylvania 6-5000”, but the theme song leans into its 80’s time period. From an electric guitar solo to pounding synth drums, this song fully embodies the 1980’s and the popcorn horror flicks of the era. 

8. Pet Sematary - Ramones

I don’t wanna be buried in a pet sematary
I don’t want to live my life again

Written for the 1989 Stephen King adaptation Pet Sematary, this song of the same name became one of the Ramones’ biggest radio hits. It is quite catchy and encapsulates the themes of both film and novel.

According to the song’s Wikipedia page, Stephen King, a Ramones fan, invited the band to his home one time when they were playing in the area. On that visit he gave Dee Dee Ramone a copy of his novel Pet Sematary and about one hour later Dee Dee had written the lyrics to this song. It has since become a horror playlist favorite, with a multitude of covers.

9. Fright Night Theme - J. Geils Band

People say I’m crazy and I make no sense

Relatable lyrics.

The 1980’s were really a golden age of horror rock themes. The next installment on this list comes from 1985’s Fright Night. The song was written by Joe Lamont and performed by J. Geils Band – best known for their hits “Centerfold” and “Love Stinks”. This was the band’s last single; they broke up shortly after filming the music video. It is quite the shame because I bet they could have made a lot more horror rock hits.

10. Mad Monster Party - Halloween Party Animals

Let’s slow things down with this enchanting theme to 1967’s Mad Monster Party. This lesser-known stop-motion animation from Rankin/Bass Productions (creators of holiday classics such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman) pays homage to the classic monsters of the 30’s and 40’s. Count Dracula, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, The Invisible Man, and a slew of other royalty-free versions of fan favorite monsters make appearances in this family-friendly musical horror.

Ethel Ennis’ smooth and sultry vocals make this theme a perfect ballad to snuggle close to that special spooky someone on the couch. 

11. They Are the Monsters - Rob Zombie

To bridge the gap between the 60’s and 2020’s, this next song is from a modern remake of a classic tv show: Rob Zombie’s 2022 The Munsters. Written by Rob Zombie and Zeuss, and performed by Rob Zombie, this song was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award in the category “Original Song – Streamed Film (No Theatrical Release)”. 

The song introduces the odd characters of The Munster family – who are “creepy, coo-coo, and a little insane”. It has a fun and psychedelic sound.

12. New Year's Evil - ShAdOw

Time to rock out with the title track to 1980’s New Year’s Evil. The producers of the film sent out a call for original song submissions, with a piece written by Roxanne Seeman and Eddie del Barrio being ultimately chosen. The Seattle rock band Shadow was approached to record the track.

To get an authentic sound, the producers had the band perform the song live for a scene in the film, recording the song without overdubbing. That means that if a mistake was made – the whole thing had to be performed and recorded again. The result was an electrifying heavy metal classic that can be heard three times throughout the film – the opening & closing credits and in the scene where the band is playing it live on stage. 

You really can’t find a better horror-themed New Year’s Eve song (at least of the time of writing this piece).

13. Sadako vs. Kayako: The Curse of Syananana - Seikima-II

All good things must come to an end, but this Horror Movie Night Playlist saves the best for last. This epic anthem was made for 2016’s Sadako vs. Kayako, in which Sadako from The Ring and Kayako from Ju-On face off in the ultimate J-Horror battle. 

“Noroi no Shananana” (translated to “The Curse of Syananana”) is performed by the Japanese heavy metal band Sikima-II. The lyrics describe each of the cursed women and their signature attacks – but ultimately, either way you are not making it out of this battle alive. Get up and dance to this energetic and electrifying finale.

Death! Death!
Death has chosen you
Death! Death!
Death is all around you
Inescapable fate
What will be will be
Undeniable curse, it’s no fantasy
It’s your turn, your reality

And That's the Horror Movie Night Playlist!

Did you like it? What songs are on your Horror Movie Night playlist? Let me know on Instagram @EmilyIsHorror

Want more music? Try some of these playlists:

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Categories
Home Decor Lifestyle

2026 Halloween Shopping

2026 Halloween Shopping

The 2026 Halloween shopping season is upon us! Every year I am on the lookout for new and exciting home goods & accessories to add to my collection. I prioritize functional pieces that seem like they will last for everyday use throughout the year. Here are some items that I am drooling over this season.

Image from anthropologie.com

I don’t drink espresso, but these little Bistro Tile Stoneware 24K Gold Accent Halloween Espresso Cups from Anthropologie make me want to start! There are five styles and each comes with its own matching saucer. The bottom of each cup also has a cute Halloween design. It is a delightful surprise as you finish your drink. I look forward to having a cozy autumn morning tea party with these.

Anthropologie does carry these same designs in larger coffee mugs, but the handles are black instead of gold. Plus, they don’t have a matching pate. I just don’t find them as magical as he espresso cup version.

Image from worldmarket.com

This Halloween Stripe Enameled Steel Cocktail Spoons 4 Pack from World Market is a colorful addition to your Halloween table. These are nice serveware for hors d’oeuvres or charcuterie board toppings. Be wary, however, as the specifications state that these are hand-wash only and “not suitable for hot foods or liquids”. 

Image from Etsy.com

The Halloween-loving Italian in me is very excited for this find from NoceWoodShop on Etsy: Ghoulish Ghosts Halloween Ravioli Mold.

Choose from Walnut, Oak, or Maple wood for the base. Each ravioli mold has three different ghost designs for spooky-cute pasta. It is easy to use: simply roll out your pasta dough, press the mold, and add your favorite filling. Plus, you will be supporting a small, independent business instead of big box stores. Unique and shopping small – nothing is better than that!

The Iridescent Spirits Top Frames ($30) - Pair Eyewear

Image from Paireyewear.com

I am a huge fan of Pair Eyewear. Their top frames allow me to switch up my glasses every day. Additionally, when I need a new prescription, I can just buy the same style base and keep all the top frames I have already purchased. Less waste and more style. 

The Iridescent Spirits is one of this year’s Trick or Treat collection Premium styles. It shines iridescently in the light and features dozens of ghastly ghosts around the frame. It is available for each of the manufacturer’s base frame styles. Above is my personal favorite – The Ella.

Image from www.DisneyStore.com

I love plushies. This 11″ Donald Duck ”Fall Vibes” Plush from The Disney Store combines two of my favorite things: Donald Duck & Autumn. It is a soft plush in an autumnal color pallet. The official description indicates that he is holding an apple, but I think it looks a little more pumpkin-like. Either way, I would love to add this one to my collection. 

Other members of the “Fall Vibes” collection are Pluto, Chip, and Dale. 

And those are my top five 2026 Halloween shopping highlights. I actually do a lot less shopping than I used to. I prefer to spend money on experiences, dining out, and supporting local causes during the spooky season. Shopping local and supporting small vendors at Halloween markets is much more fulfilling and fun.

What are you excited about this year? Tell me on Facebook & Instagram

Halloween Cards

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

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Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

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Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

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