Halloween is almost here. And that means that all across the country, people are gearing up for the big day. But instead of trick-or-treating or visiting haunted theme parks, why not take a different approach to how you celebrate?
Americans Love Halloween
Even though Halloween is not considered a national holiday, it’s actually one of the most popular days of the year. According to a study from Statista, Americans are expected to spend a whopping $10.6 billion in 2022 to celebrate spooky season.
But where exactly is the money going?
Well, Statista reports that in 2021, Americans spent more than $3.5 billion on Halloween costumes and accessories. Not to mention, they projected another $3 billion was spent on candy. And when you factor in spooky home decorations, party favors, greeting cards, and other miscellaneous expenditures, Halloween costs can add up pretty quickly.
How To Have A Black Girl Halloween
Halloween is right around the corner. And that means it’s time to start planning what to do for the big day. But instead of the usual costume party or pumpkin carving, you can incorporate a bit of Black culture into your festivities. Here are five ways to have the best Black girl Halloween ever:
Disclaimer:
All of the products on 21Ninety are hand-picked by our editorial team. Most of these products we use and love or come highly recommended by our community. If you grab anything we mention using our referral links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Watch A Black Horror Flick
Part of celebrating Halloween includes watching scary movies to help set the mood. But instead of opting for the usual horror flick like “The Shining” or “Nightmare on Elm Street,” get into the Halloween spirit with a Black movie.
There are many Black horror films to choose from. You can take it all the way back with a classic film like “Candyman” or “Tales from the Hood.” Or you can opt for a more modern movie like “Ma” or “Antebellum.”
View this post on Instagram
And of course, you can’t watch a movie without popcorn. So try Soul Popped, a Black-owned popcorn shop selling custom and ready-made flavors like “Heavenly Macaroni and Cheese” and “Big Momma’s Fried Chicken.”
Visit a Black-Owned Pumpkin Patch
For an immersive Black girl Halloween experience, why not visit a Black-owned pumpkin patch?
There are a number of Black-owned farms scattered across the country. And every year, many of them transform into pumpkin patches, haunted hayrides, and corn mazes in time for Halloween.
Many pumpkin patches also have live music, entertainment, and food and beverages for visitors to enjoy for a full-day experience.
Black-owned farms are great for people of all ages, too. During the day, children enjoy browsing through pumpkins to take home. And at night, teens and adults are welcome to explore haunted hayrides, mazes, and other attractions if they so dare.
Carve A Pumpkin
View this post on Instagram
Pumpkin carving is a popular Halloween pastime. But instead of giving your pumpkin a wicked smile or grimace, you can get creative by carving your favorite Black personality.
View this post on Instagram
There are a number of stencil designs that you can use for inspiration. For example, you can carve your favorite Black celebrity into your pumpkin. Or, you can design it to resemble a Black cartoon character like Susie Carmicheal or Riley Freeman.
View this post on Instagram
And don’t forget to grab a pumpkin carving kit to help you get started.
Our pick: This bestselling pumpkin carving kit for kidsfrom Pumpkin Punchers is perfect for carvers of all levels.
Celebrate With A Themed Libation
View this post on Instagram
What better what to celebrate Black girl Halloween than by kicking the party off with a spooky cocktail?
You can craft a cocktail inspired by your favorite Black horror theme, from scary movies to spooky folktales.
View this post on Instagram
For example, try topping your Cosmopolitan off with some creepy, crawly gummy worms and other candies for a special “Candyman” cocktail. Or add black and green food coloring to a frozen margarita to pay homage to the classic Black horror, “Leprechaun in the Hood.”
For a fuss-free recipe, simply add these Skull Ice Molds to an Old Fashioned for an easy, Halloween treat. Or drink from this gothic Skull Hand Goblet to channel the Black vampires in “Vampire in Brooklyn.”
Share Haunted Black Folktales
Instead of recycling ghost stories, try tapping into a part of Black history to get into the Halloween spirit.
Black folktales are stories passed down from generation to generation. They often work to teach a lesson, but they can also warn listeners about eerie supernatural experiences.
Dive into the hair-raising story of Robert Johnson, a talented Black blues artist who made a deal with the devil. Or get into the tale of the Popobawa, a shape-shifting demon that attacks its victims when they least expect it.
Or if you prefer to read a book, try “The Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural,” a Black horror book filled with tales inspired by African-American history from slavery to the civil rights era.