Lifestyles
Submitted by Maria D'Antonio
When the leaves change and the weather becomes cooler, you can be sure to expect some witches, ghosts, black cats and lots of pumpkins. Halloween is coming, and there's a variety of easy, affordable, festive ways to get involved in the holiday spirit.
(1) Everything Pumpkin
Ever since I glimpsed one recipe on Tumblr, I've been on a mission to make a new pumpkin dessert every weekend of October. I've got to say, my favorite has been pumpkin bread with Nutella swirl. I'll put a link to the recipe here. It was quite delicious and my family managed to eat half the loaf within hours of taking it out of the oven. I plan on trying a pumpkin cheesecake trifle next.
Being a fan of pumpkin, it's not uncommon for me to "indulge" in pumpkin spice. My favorite is Pumpkin Spice Chai, which is a lovely alternative for those not especially fond of the coffee flavor in Pumpkin Spice Latte (which is delicious as well). I've seen the Chai at the Books-A-Million in the Towne Center, but was introduced to it in Covington at the English Tea Room. Like all Chai's, its flavor can be accented with a little bit of cream or milk.
Infusing pumpkins into meals or desserts is a great way to stay in the spirit of Halloween and autumn.
(2) Jack-o-Lanterns
In keeping with the pumpkin theme, decorating pumpkins is another fun way to usher in the season. I don't do anything too fancy; just pick up a pumpkin carving kit at Walmart or Target that's so easy to use a child can do it. Usually they have easy to make designs included in the kit with instructions on how to carry out those designs. If you have small children, get them into the Halloween spirit with painting pumpkins instead of carving them. Be wary though...the more open spaces your design has the quicker the pumpkin will spoil.
(3) Community Events
You're bound to find pumpkin patches around town, particularly around churches. Also, kids can go out to Boo at the Zoo, for a fun trick-or-treat experience that you wouldn't get trick-or-treating in your neighborhood, unless, of course, your neighborhood is full of exotic animals. If you want a night out, don't worry; the Baton Rouge community has you covered. Theatre Baton Rouge has showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (which is now sold out!) and L'Auberge Casino has a ghoulish party for a night of spooky fun. See our Local Events page for the details. Not to mention the 10/31 Consortium has a Halloween Parade on Halloween complete with an after-party... (again, more details in our Local Events).
(4) Movies and Music
Up for the Monster Mash? I love Halloween movies, like Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family, but I'm not really a fan of horror films, like Saw. Old classics, especially black and white films, are particularly entertaining. At any rate, nothing gets me into the spirit more than a good Halloween film. The Cinemark in Perkins Rowe is showing a classic Dracula on October 25 to get you in the Halloween mood. However, I'm not sure if The Nightmare Before Christmas counts as a Halloween film or a Christmas film...
(5) Costume
To me, as much fun as it is to wear your costume, it's just as much fun to make it. I'm not handy with a needle and thread or anything, but I do like shopping at like places like Ross Dress for Less, Target and TJ Max for pieces of clothing that will eventually come together to make a costume. Making props is a lot of fun, too. If you buy cheaper clothing and materials for props, you won't feel too bad altering them for a one-time only use.
Have a fun and safe Halloween!
Submitted by Maria D'Antonio
When the leaves change and the weather becomes cooler, you can be sure to expect some witches, ghosts, black cats and lots of pumpkins. Halloween is coming, and there's a variety of easy, affordable, festive ways to get involved in the holiday spirit.
(1) Everything Pumpkin
Ever since I glimpsed one recipe on Tumblr, I've been on a mission to make a new pumpkin dessert every weekend of October. I've got to say, my favorite has been pumpkin bread with Nutella swirl. I'll put a link to the recipe here. It was quite delicious and my family managed to eat half the loaf within hours of taking it out of the oven. I plan on trying a pumpkin cheesecake trifle next.
Being a fan of pumpkin, it's not uncommon for me to "indulge" in pumpkin spice. My favorite is Pumpkin Spice Chai, which is a lovely alternative for those not especially fond of the coffee flavor in Pumpkin Spice Latte (which is delicious as well). I've seen the Chai at the Books-A-Million in the Towne Center, but was introduced to it in Covington at the English Tea Room. Like all Chai's, its flavor can be accented with a little bit of cream or milk.
Infusing pumpkins into meals or desserts is a great way to stay in the spirit of Halloween and autumn.
(2) Jack-o-Lanterns
In keeping with the pumpkin theme, decorating pumpkins is another fun way to usher in the season. I don't do anything too fancy; just pick up a pumpkin carving kit at Walmart or Target that's so easy to use a child can do it. Usually they have easy to make designs included in the kit with instructions on how to carry out those designs. If you have small children, get them into the Halloween spirit with painting pumpkins instead of carving them. Be wary though...the more open spaces your design has the quicker the pumpkin will spoil.
(3) Community Events
You're bound to find pumpkin patches around town, particularly around churches. Also, kids can go out to Boo at the Zoo, for a fun trick-or-treat experience that you wouldn't get trick-or-treating in your neighborhood, unless, of course, your neighborhood is full of exotic animals. If you want a night out, don't worry; the Baton Rouge community has you covered. Theatre Baton Rouge has showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (which is now sold out!) and L'Auberge Casino has a ghoulish party for a night of spooky fun. See our Local Events page for the details. Not to mention the 10/31 Consortium has a Halloween Parade on Halloween complete with an after-party... (again, more details in our Local Events).
(4) Movies and Music
Up for the Monster Mash? I love Halloween movies, like Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family, but I'm not really a fan of horror films, like Saw. Old classics, especially black and white films, are particularly entertaining. At any rate, nothing gets me into the spirit more than a good Halloween film. The Cinemark in Perkins Rowe is showing a classic Dracula on October 25 to get you in the Halloween mood. However, I'm not sure if The Nightmare Before Christmas counts as a Halloween film or a Christmas film...
(5) Costume
To me, as much fun as it is to wear your costume, it's just as much fun to make it. I'm not handy with a needle and thread or anything, but I do like shopping at like places like Ross Dress for Less, Target and TJ Max for pieces of clothing that will eventually come together to make a costume. Making props is a lot of fun, too. If you buy cheaper clothing and materials for props, you won't feel too bad altering them for a one-time only use.
Have a fun and safe Halloween!