Holidays are a time of tradition. Every family or group has a series of activities that they do regularly around each holiday. This is usually associated with New Years, and especially Christmas. But really any holiday can have these. Just something that gets you in the mood during the preceding weeks.

With this in mind, I thought I would share with you (in no particular order) the various things I require to get in the Halloween spirit.

Also, if you guys have any specific Halloween traditions, please feel free to share them in the comments.

So lets start off the list with:

Pink Nerds 

Despite the fact that I’m not personally a big candy person. I love these old 90’s staples of the grab bag. They are simply pure sugar, in tiny rock form, and when I was younger I would eat them by the bag full. You know how kids trade candy? Well I would trade entire bags of candy just for a supply of these things. Even to this day I still make sure I get to have a pack, because as soon as these things pass my lips (and destroy my teeth, slowly) I am just a little kid again, celebrating the spookiest holiday of the year.

Claymation Movies 

I was originally just going to put down The Nightmare Before Christmas, but as I thought about it, I realized it did not matter which one. They all have to some degree a Halloween theme to them. Or at least a dark macabre edge. From the- dare I call it- whimsical Nightmare Before Christmas, to the surprisingly adult-themed Paranorman, to the disturbing Coraline, they all make me shiver….with delight (Okay, that was a really bad joke, but I stand by it!) These movies have always been a part of me and my experiences with the dark. So as long as Claymation lives as an art form, I will be able to hold on to the darkness of the Holidays, and embrace it with an open hug.

Plastic Weapons

I never understood it, but every young boys wants to fake kill things. It seems to be instinctual. Even before they are exposed to action media, children are just stirred by the feeling of a sword in their hands. I was no different. Rather then choose a costume based on the character, I chose based on the weapon I would get to carry.

So that I may kill my enemies! Then take their candy.

Kidding, mostly. But the point stands, fake violence is a stable element of the holiday, and even now as an adult I make sure that I have at least one plastic weapon in my closest in case I have to defend my honor. Or fight off monsters. Whatever comes first.

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller

The narrator is right. I cannot resist. As a 90’s kid, this is the Halloween song. All the monsters, and fear, and evil of the holiday all bunched up into one kick-ass song. I challenge you not to  dance when this jam comes on. The ending lyrics especially just get me into the mood, and now I have heard it so many times that I can rap right along with him. Leading up to the evil cackle that will give you the perfect slasher smile.

The Witching Hour   

For me, personally. There is no better celebration of Halloween, then to be out at night. Does not matter how late just as long as it is dark. I will go out of my way to be up and out later then normal. Just so that I am part of the darkness. Especially on Halloween night. Interesting things are always happening on that night. It’s especially fun with friends; just walking the empty streets and hanging out. Staying up until Halloween has come and gone. Relishing the last few minutes.

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