A fail safe guide to a spookily sober Halloween in Nottingham

Around this time of year, the days feel darker, and spooky season starts to creep in. In true Notts fashion, the party goers amongst us often choose to indulge in a different kind of spirit to those associated with Halloween.

For those seeking a sober night, fear not. Below is a compilation of Halloween antics chosen to elevate your night safely away from all kinds of spirits.

Costumes

Basic but brilliant. Whether you’ve chosen to embrace the single life, match with your bestie, or hard launch a new beau, dressing up is arguably the most anticipated event of the night. With a trip to Luvyababes secured, why not unleash a wilder alter ego?

From the glitz and glam of a 1920s flapper, to adding your own flare to the trio of kiss, marry, kill, or even transforming in the intergalactic, powerhouse couple Padme and Anakin, the choices are endless and promise to stir up a frenzy.

Pumpkin carving

You don’t have to be the next Picasso to engrave your heart’s desire onto a pumpkin canvas of your choice. Originating from Irish folklore, Jack-O-Lanterns were used to ward off evil spirits and to defy the encroaching darkness, symbolised by a small tea-light placed in its centre.

With mindfulness at the forefront of this activity, don’t be afraid to go scary or sweet with ideas ranging from Ghostface, to Lightning McQueen, to the Cheshire Cat.

Movie night

Halloween is not complete without a good old fashioned movie night. Below is your ultimate list of must watch movies this Halloween:

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Scream (1996): In a classic horror movie style, Sidney Prescott is hunted by a relentless killer known only as Ghostface. Haunted by the loss of her mother the year before, Sidney must keep her friends close but her enemies even closer.

Get Out (2017): A modern day nightmare. Meeting the parents takes on a whole new face when Chris Washington is forced to fight for his life within a racist and indoctrinated household.

Corpse Bride (2005): Tim Burton seldom delivers a movie that is not beautifully eccentric with a twang of eerie madness. Caught between the living and the dead, Victor is forced to choose where his alliances lie following his accidental matrimony to a heartbreaking bride who just so happens to be, well, dead.

Mocktails

As a firm believer of mocktails being the ideal way of drinking (because blacking out in Ocean is an even scarier feat), I have commissioned a list of mocktails that look just as good as the real thing and taste even more delicious.

For those of you dedicated to firming the Notts night life sober (best of luck to you), these mocktails will power you through with a much needed boost:

Boo!

Two ounces of Coconut Milk
Club Soda (flavour of your choice!)
0.5 ounces of vanilla syrup
Small piece of dry ice
coconut flakes

Combine the coconut milk, club soda and vanilla syrup into a glass and stir. Then, wearing gloves and using tongs, place a small piece of dry ice into the glass to create a ghostly effect. Sprinkle coconut shavings on top!

Apple Cider Spritz:

Six ounces of apple cider
One and a half ounces of caramel syrup
One or two dashes of cinnamon bitters
Ice
Club soda
Apple slice

Using a cocktail shaker, mix ice, apple cider, caramel syrup and cinnamon. Then shake for approximately 30 seconds to dissolve and chill the caramel syrup. Using a strainer, drain the cocktail over ice into a glass of ice. Fill up the rest of the glass with club soda. finally, add an apple slice to finish.