halloween master list

hello.

dear reader, i have a question for you…

do you like candy corn?

welcome to the ‘ber months- the greatest months of the year. halloween, thanksgiving, christmas, new years… this is the time to participate in all of your favorite traditions (and create new ones) with the people you love most.

the beautiful thing about holidays, particularly halloween, is that there are so many different directions to take it in. if you’re really into horror, you can lean into classic horror films and decorate your house to be scary and spooky. if you’re into cozy or nostalgic halloween, you can make your house look more retro and decorate with pumpkins and ghosts. if you’re witchy, you can make your house look magical and decorate with black, purple, and hints of green. the options are endless. i’m someone who loves every halloween aesthetic imaginable and today, i’m so excited to be sharing a master list filled with activities, recipes, films, books, playlists, and everything in between to make this holiday feel extra special for you.

shall we get started?

halloween master list:

films:

it’s the great pumpkin charlie brown (1966)

coraline (2009)

the addams family (1991)

over the garden wall (2014)

the addams family values (1993)

edward scissorhands (1990)

frankenstein (1931)

hocus pocus (1993)

frankenweenie (2012)

scream (1996)

elvira (1988)

the nightmare before christmas (1993)

over the garden wall (2014)

i married a witch (1942)

the vvitch (2015)

halloweentown (1998)

lisa frankenstein (2024)

scream (1996)

psycho (1960)

bettlejuice (1988)

the craft (1996)

practical magic (1998)

harry potter (2004)

pooh’s heffalump halloween (2005)

powerpuff girls halloween special (1998)

curious george: a halloween boo fest (2013)

here’s my letterboxd and my autumn and halloween movie lists for your reference. witchy and horror, too.

and some notable tv shows worth checking out:

wednesday (2023)

scream queens (2015)

american horror story (murder house and coven) (2011)

the chilling adventures of sabrina (2018)

the haunting of hill house (2018)

stranger things (2016)

halloween baking championship (although food network shows have gotten increasingly awful, this show feels festive)

cartoon halloween specials

books:

frankenstein by mary shelley a scientist who creates a living being from assembled body parts, only to be horrified by his monstrous creation. the novel explores themes of ambition, isolation, and the consequences of playing god, as both creator and creature grapple with their identities and responsibilities.

dracula by bram stoker follows the eerie journey of count dracula as he attempts to move from transylvania to england in search of new blood. through a series of journal entries, letters, and newspaper articles, the story unfolds a chilling battle between the vampire and a group of friends determined to stop him.

the practical magic series revolves around the owens sisters, who navigate love, magic, and family curses in their enchanting yet challenging lives. with each book, the series delves into the bonds of sisterhood and the complexities of witchcraft, all while maintaining a blend of whimsy and realism.

slewfoot by brom a dark and captivating tale of a woman named abitha who befriends a mysterious creature in the woods while facing societal oppression in a puritan settlement. as she battles against the forces of her community, the story intertwines themes of witchcraft, nature, and the fight for personal freedom.

the very secret society of irregular witches by sangu mandanna mika moon, a solitary witch, is drawn into a hidden community of witches when she discovers that her magic is needed to protect a group of magical children. as she navigates her own insecurities and the bonds of friendship, mika learns the importance of belonging and the power of love.

carmilla by sheridan le fanu a gothic novella that follows laura, a young woman who becomes entranced by the mysterious and seductive carmilla, leading to a series of eerie occurrences in her home. the story explores themes of female desire, sexuality, and the supernatural, predating and influencing later vampire tales.

coraline by neil gaiman follows a young girl named coraline who discovers an alternate universe that mirrors her own but is filled with sinister twists. as she confronts the malevolent "other mother," coraline must summon her courage to save herself and her loved ones from a dark fate.

we have always loved in the castle by shirley jackson tells the story of the reclusive blackwood sisters, mary kat and connie, who live in isolation after a family tragedy. through their unique perspectives, the novel explores themes of paranoia, outsider status, and the complexity of familial bonds.

the graveyard book by neil gaiman follows the life of nobody owens, a boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is murdered. as he grows up, he learns about life and death, navigating both the supernatural and the human worlds while evading the mysterious figure who seeks to finish what he started.

the haunting of hill house by shirley jackson centers on a group of individuals gathered to investigate the eerie phenomena of a supposedly haunted mansion. as they confront their own fears and pasts, the novel blurs the line between psychological terror and supernatural horror.

the bloody chamber by angela carter a collection of feminist retellings of classic fairy tales, where traditional narratives are reimagined through a darker, more complex lens. each story explores themes of sexuality, power, and the role of women, showcasing carter's signature blend of sensuality and horror.

dark tales by shirley jackson a collection of stories that showcases shirley jackson's mastery of psychological horror and the uncanny. each tale delves into the complexities of human nature, often featuring ordinary settings that gradually reveal their darker undercurrents.

the turn of the screw by henry miller a novella about a governess who becomes convinced that the estate's ghosts are influencing the children in her care. the ambiguous narrative raises questions about perception, reality, and the nature of evil, leaving readers to ponder the truth behind the haunting.

a discovery of witches by deborah harkness follows historian and reluctant witch diana bishop as she uncovers a mysterious manuscript that draws her into a world of magic, vampires, and demons. as she navigates her newfound powers and a blossoming romance with a vampire, diana must confront her family's dark legacy.

we were witches by ariel gore a modern retelling of the witch trials, blending memoir and magical realism to explore themes of femininity, empowerment, and the search for identity. through personal anecdotes and reflections, gore crafts a narrative that celebrates the power of women and their shared histories.

the witches of new york by ami mckay follows two witches, beatrice and lilian, who run a tea shop in 19th-century manhattan and navigate the challenges of their magical lives amidst societal expectations. as they encounter a young woman with her own extraordinary powers, the story weaves themes of friendship, feminism, and the fight against oppression.

click here for more witchy books

click here for more gothic horror

fragrances:

-coven by andrea maack: galbanum, oakmoss, clove, cedar, vanilla

-bois corse by diptyque: i was generously gifted this fragrance and it did not disappoint. perfect for autumn, here are the notes: black coffee, tonka bean, sandalwood.

-althair by parfums de marly: a stunning vanilla. notes: orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, guaiac wood, ambrox, praline, musk.

-jany by sora dora: apple peach, apricot, puff pastry, osmanthus, hazelnut, plum, caramel, almond, musk, vanilla.

-glossier you rève and doux: I smelled these recently and can confirm that they live up to the hype. rève notes: buttercream, plum butter, ambrox. doux notes: sweet violet, palo santo, ambrox.

-orpheon by diptyque: notes: juniper, jasmine, cedar, tonka (highly recommend the body wash- the best diptyque fragrance in my opinion)

-whispers in the library by maison margiela: notes: vanilla, wood, cedar, pepper

-portrait of a lady by frederic malle*: notes: rose, clove, raspberry, sandalwood, musk, benzoin, amber, cedar, vanilla, ambergris

-the noir 29 by le labo*: notes: fig, bay leaf, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco, hay

-falling trees by regime des fleurs: notes: oak, juniper, benzoin, myrrh, incense, moss

-1996 by byredo: notes: juniper, iris, voilet, amber, leather, patchouli

-bibliotque by byredo: notes: plum, peach, violet, leather, vanilla. patchouli, musk

-pumpkin creme by le monde gourmand: notes: pumpkin spice, nutmeg, frothed milk, musk, sandalwood

-molecule 01 by escentric molecules*: notes: iso e super (all time favorite fragrance- it’s a “your skin but better” scent. very warm and woody)

-unknown pleasures by kerosene: notes: lemon, caramel, earl grey, vanilla, honey, tonka

-tahota by indult**: notes: vanilla, musk (this is the best vanilla fragrance to ever exist)

candles:

-byredo: bibliotque*, altar, chai

-diptyque: opopanax*, encre*, terres blonde*, musc

-anthropologie: caramel apple cinnamon, sweet cinnamon vanilla, pumpkin soufflé, oatmeal cookie*, pumpkin and sweet vanilla*

-bath and body works: nostalgia… marshmallow fireside*, caramel pumpkin swirl, apple crisp, a day at the cafe, cranberry woods

-nest: pumpkin, and autumn plum

-nette candles: chai milk

activities:

-pumpkin patch: this is a top priority halloween bucket list activity. go with friends or your partner or with your family and make a whole afternoon or evening of it. i usually take 2-3 trips to the pumpkin patch every year and make it a point to take one of those trips at night. the vibes at the patch at night are <3 don’t forget to take film photos, eat treats and candy, pick the most sincere pumpkin in the patch, and play all the games.

-trick or treating: you’re never too old to go trick or treating. period.

-carving pumpkins: this is another quintessential halloween activity. if you’re not into carving you can also paint your pumpkins. don’t forget to take out the seeds and roast them.

-tarot reading: if you’re feeling witchy, do some tarot readings and if you’re unsure of where to start with tarot, i recommend this book.

-roasting pumpkin seeds: i usually do three batches of pumpkin seeds- one sweet, one savory, one spicy.

-make handmade ghost garland: look at how cute this garland is. i’m going to make one this year.

-decor your home for halloween: like I mentioned in the beginning of the letter, you can go spooky, cozy, classic, witchy- the options are endless. do what feels best for your home.

-get stocked up on halloween candy for trick or treaters: or yourself? tis the season to indulge in your favorite candy. kitkats, reeses, are my favorites.

-bobbing for apples: this would be a fun activity to do on halloween night or during a halloween party.

-halloween baking: go on pinterest and find some fun spooky recipes to bake for you and your friends.

-throw a halloween party: i’m not taking about a high school (or college) rager (unless you’re into that sort of thing, pop off). i’m talking about a cozy wholesome spooky gathering with your closest friends. a spooky classic halloween music playlist with halloween movies playing in the background. chili and cornbread for dinner. lots of wine and spooky cocktails. fun activities like carving or painting pumpkins- OR decorating Halloween sugar cookies. you can make fun appetizers like witches fingers or mummy hot dogs. make it spooky cute.

-get lost in a corn maze: these give me anxiety, but it sounds like fun if you don’t get scared about being trapped or lost somewhere alone.

-halloween movie marathon: pick your poison. even if you’re not into scary movies there are plenty of spooky cute halloween movies to get you into the spirit.

-make a halloween playlist: make a jazzy one, a classic halloween one, a witchy one, and maybe even a lofi one for studying during october.

-dress up for halloween: just like you’re never too old to go trick or treating, you’re never too old to dress up. (i’ll be sending out a newsletter with some costume ideas very soon).

-make a boo basket: fill a basket up with fun halloween goodies and treats and deliver it to a friend.

recipes to make:

i made a pinterest board full of halloween recipe ideas just for you.

-pillsburry halloween cookies

-chili and cornbread

-pumpkin bread

-caramel apples

-roasted pumpkin seeds

-molasses halloween cookies

-pumpkin hand pies

-mummy hot dogs

-halloween charcuterie board

things to buy:

-john derian x target!! this is the dream collaboration. if you’re unfamiliar with john derian, it’s a famous antique/ vintage store in nyc that is filled with overpriced treasures and gems i could never afford. but this collab is making my dreams come true. here are my favorites: the kitty pillow! skeleton platter for appetizers, pumpkin juggler platter, pumpkin candy bowl, skeleton bones platter

-amazon halloween decor favorites: retro halloween banner (this one, too), vintage yard signs (these, too), retro black cat, vintage halloween party food picks, halloween skeleton decor

-halloween/fall jellycats: bartholomew pumpkin bear (my absolute favorite and he’s sold out everywhere), bartholomew bear bat is also presh, skeleton, ghost, bb pumpkin

-peanuts halloween clothes and socks: snoopy halloween socks, snoopy fall tote bag, the great pumpkin slippers, trick or treat snoopy shirt

-halloween calico critters

-fun halloween baking supplies: halloween waffle makers (pumpkin, ghost, skull), spooky cookie cutters, eye balls and sprinkles for decorating.

-ghost candles (love these)

-tapered ghost candles (finally back in stock- i’m obsessed)

-burts bees chai lip balm

-my favorite tarot deck: she’s never led me astray

-a pumpkin mug or ghost mug: for coffee, cocoa, tea, and other festive drinks

-gus the ghost candy bowl (the 3-piece set is on sale but still pricey, but so cute)

-halloween pajamas: to get cozy and comfy in for halloween baking and movie watching. candy corn pj’s, skeleton, and the great pumpkin.

-halloween blankey: to snuggle under while you watch scary movies

-party supplies for halloween parties: i’m not going to link a bunch of stuff because it’s very overwhelming. often times home goods and target and michaels have decently priced party goods. however, if you’re in the mood to pick out some unique (and pricier) options, i would check out bonjour fete and shop sweet lulu. these little witch hat party favors are my fav from anthro.

-fun halloween themed snacks from target or walmart: snack packs, popcorn balls, candy, all the treats!

music:

classic halloween

halloween lofi

witchy thug girl pop

halloween vintage oldies playing in another room

I love you <3

See you tomorrow.

(Follow IG and Tiktok for more)

And if you have the capacity to support my Substack, please consider being a paid subscriber. It means the world to me.