Halfway to Halloween: Embrace the Spooky and Cozy Vibes Early!

Halloween is one of the most anticipated, fun, and spooky holidays of the year—certainly for those who adore the unmatched cosy mood of Autumn, dark October evenings, and all things pumpkins, like myself. Halfway to Halloween, or "Halfoween," is a semi-annual celebration that marks the midpoint to All Hallows' Eve—an event that occurs exactly six months before the real Halloween, around April 30th or May 1st. This is a great time to start getting excited about Halloween and enjoy some spooky fun a bit early.

The Halfway to Halloween event can be a perfect occasion to throw a little party or organise a family movie night. But for many of us who diligently count down the days until the "BER" months (check out my Countdown to Autumn and Halloween page) and the beginning of our beloved cosy season, it is a reminder that our favourite time of the year is coming.

Although for some celebrating Halfoween might feel silly, I suggest to relax and just have some fun - we adults are entitled to it too! Celebrating halfway to Halloween might be especially beneficial for people who struggle with reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD - you can read more about it HERE), giving them a chance to enjoy cosy, spooky, October vibes in May.

Let's look into the origins of this fun event, its meaning, and how cosy Autumn lovers can celebrate it, alongside a look into when the spooky season officially begins.

What is the Halfway Point to Halloween?

Halfway to Halloween occurs approximately six months before and after October 31st, placing it around April 30th or May 1st each year.

This date marks that we're six months away from Halloween; it has also historically been celebrated as Walpurgis Night in various parts of Europe, an evening where witches are said to meet and herald the coming of Spring—adding an extra layer of spooky vibes to the night. The Night of Walpurgis, also called the Witches' Night, shares many similarities with Samhain, from which Halloween originated. Our ancestors believed that on these nights, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, allowing the souls of the dead to roam the Earth freely.

On the wheel of the year, May 1st marks Beltane, a pagan celebration of May Day. Beltane and Samhain (Halloween) are both fire festivals, positioned on the Wheel of the Year directly opposite each other. This invites us to reflect on the cycle of life and the unstoppable passage of time.

What Does Halfway to Halloween Mean?

Halfway to Halloween, as the name suggests, marks exactly six months (half of the year) until Halloween night. But for many, Halfway to Halloween is more than just a date. Many Halloween, Spooky & Cosy - vibes lovers try to keep the spirit of All Hallows' Eve alive year-round. Whatever October is your favourite month, you love the spooky atmosphere and you are a fan of thrillers and horrors, Halfoween is a perfect occasion for you to have some fun and revisit your favourite books, movies, home decor like our Autumn & Pumpkin candles, and of course outfits.

How to Celebrate Halfway to Halloween?

Celebrating Halfoween can be as simple or as elaborate as one wishes. I'm more of a cosy girl who just loves those slightly nostalgic, chilly vibes of October—early nightfall, the sound of rain pattering on the window, wet Autumn leaves on the ground, the flickering of a candle flame, steam rising from a mug... My celebration will be rather cosy, involving some spooky movies, candles, a blanket, and of course, my husband :D. But there's so much more you could be doing on this night (not everyone is as boring as me, lol), so here are some fun ideas to consider for those looking to mark the occasion:

1. Reading Marathon

Starting with something simple, because simple solutions are often the best! Cozy up in your favourite spot at home, light a Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon candle, make your favourite drink, put on your comfy clothes, and get lost in a dark gothic novel, chilling police investigation, or page-turning thriller. Spooky, yet cosy vibes guaranteed. This low-key celebration is perfect for those who love the essence of Halloween but prefer a quieter, more introverted way to enjoy the event. Add to the atmosphere by dimming the lights & closing the curtains (especially on a very sunny day) and letting the soft glow of the candle illuminate your room, creating the perfect ambiance for your eerie read.

Here are some of my favourite Halfway to Halloween / Halfoween books I recommend:

• The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
• The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements
• Chemistry of Death (the whole series) by Simon Beckett
• The Ritual by Adam Neville
• Thin Air by Michelle Paver

2. Movie Marathon

This is probably the most popular way of celebrating Halfoween. Watching spooky movies and TV shows for Halloween is almost a must, each year there are new movies hitting the cinema and streaming platforms. I never have time to watch everything I want as our small business gets super busy in October, so halfway to Halloween is a great occasion to catch up with anything I didn't manage to watch in the last spooky season. October is usually packed with "cosy to-dos" for all of us - visiting pumpkin patches, apple orchards, baking seasonal treats, decorating our homes, there is a long list of books to read too, so catching up with any movies or tv shows you missed our last Autumn just makes sense. This can become a cosy way to spend the evening for those who prefer a night in.

3. Decorate Your Home

There are two ways you can go about it:

One: You can send your dear husband or spouse to retrieve your Halloween decor from the storage unit, basement, garage, etc., and decorate your home with actual Autumn & Halloween decor.

Two: Cosy up your home, making it temporarily less Spring-like. This is exactly what I did. My last batch of fresh tulips was ready for the bin, so instead of buying fresh in-season flowers, I got a bunch of dried gypsophila that looks lovely, giving a timeless cosy look. Add some fairy lights and, of course, candles, and your home is ready for a spooky night in. You can still add minimal Halloween decorations, like single pumpkin lanterns, to enhance the atmosphere.

One thing that should definitely become part of your Halfway to Halloween decor are YR studio natural wax candles. We stock Autumn and Pumpkin candles all year round, alongside lots of nature and bookish inspired candles to keep your home cosy and inviting 

Shop our natural wax Autumn Fall & Pumpkin candles made in the UK

4. Bake or Cook Something Comforting

I've recently rekindled my love for baking, and this point had to be included in this list. Cooking some delicious treats is one of the cosiest things you can do for Halfoween. Try using vegetables, fruits, spreads, and spices that transport you back to Autumn. Although fresh pumpkins are not available at this time of the year (at least in the UK), you can always reach for canned pumpkin or other squashes like butternut squash.

Here is a list of spices, vegetables, and fruits that are available all year round and will give you the cosy Autumn feel:

- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Canned pumpkin
- Butternut squash
- Courgette
- Apples
- Pears
- Jams & marmalades
- What else would you add to this list?

If you want to go extra, you can always order Pumpkin Spice or Halloween and Autumn sweets online; there are websites that specialise in selling seasonal treats, just like we, YR Studio, sell Autumn and Christmas candles all year round!

Meal ideas to cook for Halfway to Halloween:
- Warming Chilli (try THIS recipe)
- Rich stew with root vegetables
- All sorts of soups (my butternut squash harvest soup HERE)
- Traditional roast dinner
- Pumpkin Risotto (Andrei's recipe HERE)
- Homemade bread

Baking ideas for Halfoween:
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Sweet Rolls (same as cinnamon, just use jams or fresh fruits instead of cinnamon)
- Chocolate cake (Try THIS recipe!)
- Pear or apple crumble (My Easy & Quick recipe HERE)
- Pumpkin muffins
- Carrot cake (my favourite!) (My best recipe HERE)

Of course, these are just a few ideas; the possibilities are endless. Anything that makes you feel cosy and warm inside will be perfect to celebrate Halfway to Halloween.

5. Crafting DIY Projects

Making your own wreath or decorations out of old book pages, knitting, or repurposing old jars into candle holders and vases is a fun way to spend some technology-free time alone or with your children. Some DIY projects, like knitting jumpers, large blankets, or patchwork might also be time-consuming (especially if you are a busy mum or work full-time... or both), so starting now gives you plenty of time for your project to be ready for Autumn.

6. Visit Haunted Places

OK, this kind of thrill might not be for everyone, but if it is, research legends and any claims of paranormal activities in your area. You'll be surprised how much you can find on Google about your region. Here in the South West of England, there are plenty of century-old inns, graveyards, and woodlands that are claimed to be haunted. I'm personally skeptical of these kinds of revelations, but visiting these locations might be a fun way to celebrate halfway to Halfoween and also get to know local history.

7. Planting Pumpkins

This is a must-do for every gardener. April in the UK is the time to plant your pumpkin seeds to enjoy them in time for Halloween! If you're lucky enough to own a large garden, the possibilities are endless. However, if you're like me and only have a small patio, growing smaller varieties in containers might be a good solution. Pumpkins love to have lots of space, sun, and water, so choosing mini varieties like 'Baby Boo' or 'Gold Speck' is a great option for those with limited space or beginners in gardening.

When planting pumpkins, it's worth considering not only their size and available space but also their colour and purpose. You can choose traditional orange pumpkins, white, or even slightly greenish-blue. Decide also if you prefer to grow pumpkins for eating, which will have more flesh inside, or larger, hollow pumpkins for carving.

8. Walk in Nature

The last on my list (but not least) is to celebrate the current Sabbath that falls on May 1st, called Beltane or May Day. It's a Pagan Spring festival that celebrates the world becoming green and abundant again. On the Wheel of the Year, it is located exactly opposite to Samhain (Halloween). Having a little bit of fun and indulging in celebrating Halfoween doesn't mean you should become disconnected from the seasons. In fact, Halfoween might be a great occasion to slow down for a moment and to look back at this year so far and to reflect on the next 6 months, setting intentions for the coming Summer and Early Autumn.

Things to reflect on Halfway to Halloween

• How is this year going so far for you?
• Did you start working on things you planned?
• How would you like the next 6 months of this year to look?
• What habits would you like to stop?
• What thoughts and beliefs are you going to let go of?
• What new habits and mindset would you like to develop?

What is and When Does Spooky Season Actually Start?

When I say "Spooky season," I typically refer to the period leading up to Halloween. Although there is no official timeline, I consider October to be the beginning of the spooky season, during which the general vibe turns to more nostalgic, dark, and spooky. The air turns crisp, the days grow shorter, and the nights longer—setting the perfect scene for the spooky season.

In my opinion, "Spooky season" lasts until a few days into November. 1st of November is All Saints Day, when many people visit cemetery and adorn graves of their beloved with wreaths and candles. November weather is rather moody, with early nightfall and frequent rain. Fallen Autumn leaves carpet the floor of the forest, making woods look like they are filled with skeleton-like figures of the trees. Here in the English countryside, mist and fog cover fields and forests, making it look like a scene from a ghost story.

As we progress into November, the last of Autumn colours are gone, the chilly winds, thick fog, and long evenings naturally make us shelter inside our cosy, warm homes, and thus preparation for the Christmas festivities begin.

Will you celebrate Halfway to Halloween?

Halfoween is a heartwarming little event that marks the midpoint to the spookiest night of the year. For those who revel in the Halloween spirit year-round, it's a lovely reminder that their favourite time is coming. For anybody else, it might become a little nudge to embrace some cosy activities, light a pumpkin spice candle, and perhaps reach out for a book, watch a spooky movie, and most importantly, slow down for a moment and reflect on our years so far and the next six months.

Adriana x