Spooky Season Begins Now!
It's almost August and I officially start my spooky season (AKA Halloween) on August 1. Well, truth be told, I celebrate the spookies year-round but I start decorating in August. Why August you ask? Well, August 1st is known as Lammas, Lughnasadh and a few other things but also as First Harvest. Second Harvest is on the first day of Autumn and Third Harvest, the final one of the year, is on Halloween. Hence the official start to Spooky Season starts with First Harvest! (Also, if every Jill, Jane, and Susie can have Christmas in July or play carols year-round, I get to be Scary Mary starting in August. Those are the rules of holiday celebration fairness. Fight me on this. I am equipped with cinnamon, pumpkins, and fake blood.😉)
But in all spooky-related seriousness, if you too wish to start celebrating spooky season early but don't want to burn on slasher flicks and ghost hunts, I have a quick list to bring some spooky to the end of your summer.
Spooky Season Begins Now!
Full disclaimer - Any links below are affiliate/sales links and any purchase you make will result in a a small commission to me at no cost to you. To read the extra fine print, check out my T&C and privacy policy.
Setting the Vibe
Early spooky season vs regular spooky season is like early summer vs late summer - two completely different vibes. So for early spookies, we are talking back to school, final summer vacations, those first bonfires of the year. Corn is like the official Lammas/Lughnasadh color and food, so work some into your spooky. Afternoon thunderstorms start to become the norm, giving a break to the afternoon sweltering heat. Leaves may or may not be starting to turn wherever you live. It's all its own kind of magic, ya know? So embrace it!
Bust out the campfire- and s'mores-scented candles, toss a hay bale on your porch with a scarecrow sitting on it. Fill vases with long stemmed sunflowers (if you want to get really spooky add some skulls to this cute sunflower wreath or fill your vases with these beautiful dark sunflowers).
It's Not Pumpkin-Everything Just Yet!
When you think of Fall and Halloween, I know the first thought is PUMPKIN EVERYTHING!!! Followed by APPLE EVERYTHING!!! Well, it's too soon. They literally cannot be picked yet unless you live where the temps are already cold. (And yes, I am one of those Basic Bitches who loves all things apple and pumpkin, so I am telling this to myself as well.)
So instead of pumpkin, let's turn to other flavors of early spooky season! Again, I turn to s'mores. I mean, what's not to love? Chocolate, graham cracker and toasted marshmallow is legitly the best camping and bonfire treat you can have. So instead of getting a PSL, get a s'mores latte! If you are trying to watch your sugar intake, solid cozy beverage substitutes are spiced coffee (add some ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and all spice to your coffee before brewing), chai tea/lattes, and hot cinnamon spice black tea.
If you are a baker or just want to try your hand at something yummy, whip up some cornbread and serve hot with honey and butter (or honey butter). I think cornbread tastes best in these little corncob shapes but this wedged cast iron pan is just as awesome at getting plenty of crispy sides.
Time to Get Spooky!
Now that the vibe is set and you got a tasty snack and beverage in your hand, it's time to get your spooky on...the TV that is. I love going back and rewatching my favorite spooky shows and movies year-round. If you follow me on IG or Twitter, you have probably heard me talk about "Late Night Horror Club" where the hubs and I watch horror movies late at night as the name suggests...but I digress.
Because you don't want to run out of spooky things to watch before you get to Halloween, you should tailor your spooky watching to fit the vibe of early spooky season. Again I go back to the camping and back to school horror movies/shows. Anything with a summer setting also works well here, but you are like me and watch horror year-round, you may have already done the run down of beach-based horror.
Here is my go-to early spooky season watch list:
- Practical Magic (it may not be horror, but it's one of my all time favs, so it's top of the list)
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (fun fact/side note - this was filmed in my hometown and I've been to that 4th of July parade they show with SMG riding the float)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer early seasons (anything when she is in high school/college)
- White Oleander
- Grimm (how sexy is Monroe BTW???)
- The Brothers Grimm
- Midsommar (even though this takes place at the Summer Solstice, the constant sunshine is very unsettling)
 |
| Pin Now for Later! |
