Thread: Becoming a moving target

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This year I'm concentrating my Halloween celebrations into a 4 day session of self indulgence and the main objective will be to let Halloween find me rather than me looking for it.
In the last few years I've found that I've peaked too early or not peaked at all with family life and work obstructing my Autumnal intentions. I often feel that the effort I put in to making Halloween special usually leads to nought, and that I rarely find what I'm looking for in parties, dinners or days out. Saying that though I'm yet to be disappointed in Halloween, it has a habit of coming good.
In fact my Halloween collection of memories is not filled with memories of special events, rather it's made up of very brief instances, often of less than a minute, where I've tuned in to that special magic that we all find so difficult to pin down. These Halloween memories include being transfixed by a bonfire in my parent's back garden, kicking through leaves in one of the Cambridge parks in perfect Autumnal weather, watching bats circle around my Grandma's cherry tree and many more. My point being that I didn't have to work on or plan any of these things, I just put myself in a situation where I could encounter them.

So this year I'm taking the Friday and Monday off work, I'm minimising the decorating and not hosting any kind of gathering. Sure I'll bake a pumpkin pie, watching a couple of my favourite films and carve a couple of pumpkins, but my main objective is just to be outdoors in some of my favourite places and to make myself a target for that ethereal wisp of goodness that never fails to find me.

So what about my fellow forum members? Anyone else going for the minimalist approach?


Best Wishes

Y

Cool laid back approach. I find walking around neighborhoods looking at Halloween decorations makes me smile. it doesn't have to be a big display - even a nice round pumpkin on the front steps puts me in a happy place. The cooler temps, rustling leaves and colors of the season certainly help.
Volunteering at a kid's Halloween costume party, seeing the excitement, helps remind me what I always enjoyed about the holiday...

We are doing the big Halloween bash again this year, but we're trying to keep a calm approach to it. I keep reminding myself that we do this because we enjoy it, and not get stressed if something doesn't pan out. So far, so good.

I wish I could say I was taking a minimalist approach this year, as I'm not all that enthused about my hubby's choice of theme, but alas, I'm going as all out as ever I do! lol Still, I do know what you mean! Most of my most wonderful Halloween memories are the smell of the crisp autumn air, the beautiful multicolored leaves swaying in the breeze or laying on a bed of still green grass, the sound of children gathering to oooo and ahhh over decorations, or playing in big piles of leaves. This little moments that have nothing to do with how hard I worked for my haunt or my party, they are gifts beyond measure, imo. I hope you really enjoy letting the day bless you with all it's offerings while you take it easy for a change!

I'm cutting back for sure this year. In the past I've been "to the wall" only to be exhausted when Halloween evening arrives. I'm adding a few things to my graveyard and if they don't get finished then no worries. I'm only going to set up the weekend of Halloween because that's the only time my son can help me. I'm going to spend Friday evening and all day Saturday setting up. Not that it takes that long...but it will be relaxing.

But I'm also planning for next year. I'm going to make a few quality props through out the year, take my time, and ENJOY it.

Sounds good and I hope it works out for you.
Sometimes, less is better!

Sounds like a good approach. I've always believed it's better to embrace the entire fall and Halloween season than staking everything on one big night. We decorate in September, do a few events from a Halloween feast to Oktoberfest, have our party, and maybe one or two other things. Now we moved into our new house, and although it's smaller, it's a new set of challenges with the seasons. If you can get out and go hiking to the woods or mountains, it's a great way to relax, get some exercise, and enjoy your natural surroundings. Also, don't overlook reading some good Halloween fiction. THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, 13 HORRORS OF HALLOWEEN, and you might want to try one of my own Halloween books. Since I write supernatural fiction, Halloween doesn't end come November 1st, and I watch and read spooky things year round, plus write them. Go to a local orchard and buy some apple cider, pumpkin pies, and other goodies. Depending on where you live, there might be a whole slew of new things to discover. Happy Halloween!

Good for you! Look for the joy of the season in the simple and the unexpected, as you say, let it come to you. I'm not a big fan of the big buck, in your face approach to the holiday, but rather enjoy seeing the natural world deliver the season in all of it's splendor.