"I’ve lived in apartments my entire adult life, and while there has been so much to love, one thing that has always disappointed me about apartment living was the lack of trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Most kids just didn’t go from apartment to apartment asking for candy; they went to a neighborhood close by with streets lined with single-family homes, and it always bummed me out.
This year, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be living in a townhome—complete with a small front porch and yard that is bound to attract some trick-or-treaters. Rumor has it that my neighborhood goes wild for Halloween, and honestly, I’m pumped! I don’t have children of my own, and I’m not one to go out to a party on Halloween night, so instead, I’m excited to have a cozy Halloween night in with friends and hand out candy. I’m determined to be the coolest home on the block for trick-or-treaters, and I’ll tell you exactly how I’m going to do it. Read on for five ways to make your home trick-or-treat friendly, as well as one of the most memorable houses of the evening.
1. Make Sure Your Home Is Well-Lit
Turning all the lights off is the universal signal for “No one’s home,” and that especially goes for Halloween night. If you want to participate in trick-or-treating, make sure it’s obvious with a well-lit exterior. Double-check that the lighting by your front door is working, and replace any bulbs that are dead or too dim. Even if you’re ready and stocked with candy, if the lights by your front door aren’t on, trick-or-treaters will likely pass your house by, simply because it’s in the dark.
2. Put Up Outdoor Halloween Decorations
Once your lighting is set, the next step is Halloween decor. Nothing says “Welcome, trick-or-treaters!” like some spooky decorations, so have fun decorating the exterior of your home. It can be as simple as a Halloween wreath on your front door or as elaborate as a giant skeleton in the front yard. I personally love Halloween-colored lights—this year, I put a string of purple and orange lights on the bush outside my front window. If you prefer something spookier, faux spider webs, tombstones, and bat decorations are all super effective. And, of course, pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are a Halloween staple. If you plan to carve your pumpkins, wait until a couple days before Halloween so they’ll look fresh!
3. Use a Speaker
Playing a Halloween soundtrack as trick-or-treaters approach your house will definitely set you apart from other homes on the block. If it’s not too cold, crack a front window and place a small speaker on the sill. Or you can keep the music indoors so kids will hear it when the door opens. If you prefer to sit outside to hand out candy, bring out a portable Bluetooth speaker to bump some spooky jams. Spotify has some fun Halloween playlists you can play, or you could always make your own!
4. Wear a Costume Yourself
Wearing a costume while on candy duty isn’t required, of course, but why not get into the spooky spirit a bit more? Not only is it fun for you, but the trick-or-treaters will love it! Keep it simple by wearing a witch hat or a Halloween makeup look, or go all out with a head-to-toe look. Whether you go scary or fun and festive, a great costume will make your home even more memorable for trick-or-treaters.
5. Be Friendly
This is probably the only time of year when you’ll have neighbors lining up at your doorstep, so don’t be afraid to chat a bit. The sense of community that comes with trick-or-treating can’t be denied since you’re literally inviting families to knock on your door. Even if the interaction is quick, being a kind neighbor never goes out of style. After all, trick-or-treating is about creating a memorable and welcoming experience with your neighbors, so enjoy it!