Autumn and Halloween Movies

 Autumn and Halloween Movies

Of all the activities I love participating in during autumn, I love watching movies the most. There’s nothing like putting on a seasonal favorite with a pumpkin spice candle lit and a bag of candy corn wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket. 

To me, autumn movies are all about coziness. What I find cozy might not be the same for you, so I’ll define it here. To be considered a fall favorite, you must be

1. A little bit dark

2. A little bit spooky

3. Include fall foliage and scenery

I’m not really into the hardcore horror films. Slasher movies filled with blood and nightmare-inducing scenes of torture aren’t too cozy for me. That being said, I love a good creepy movie. Give me a haunted house any day. For this post, I’ve excluded actual horror movies. Maybe we’ll get to those in another post, but I had to draw the line somewhere, or I would be here typing all day.

Some of these movies are Halloween favorites, and some are just great for autumn. All of them give off some great Autumn vibes for me. 

Coraline (PG)

I’m sure this creepy, silly, and visually stunning movie is a staple on most of your fall movie lists. It’s about a little girl, Coraline, who moves into a new apartment in an old pink house with many strange characters and secrets. This is an excellent movie for older kids, but it can be scary for the younger ones. 

The Addams Family (PG-13)

I’m talking about the 1991 film with Anjelica Huston. I always tell my husband I want to live in the Addams’ big, creepy house with a beautiful graveyard. This movie is funny and weird, and to this Halloween-loving girl, it is cozy.

Hocus Pocus (PG)

I spoke briefly about this movie in my “Waiting for Autumn” post. This is the best Halloween movie ever made. It’s got witches, spooky vibes, comedy, trick-or-treating, a talking black cat, and an autumn/Halloween 90s aesthetic everywhere you look. I grew up watching Hocus Pocus constantly during October, as it was always on the Disney channel on repeat. Super nostalgic.

Halloweentown (G)

This one hangs out adjacent to Hocus Pocus in my brain. This was another Disney channel constant during October in the late 90s and early 2000s. It’s super kid-friendly and silly but so fun. 

Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)

Speaking of kids, this is not the movie for them. This raunchy, weird, musical comedy is about an innocent, newlywed couple who shelter from a storm in a house of horrors. Hosted by a mad scientist, “Sweet Transvestite,” the newlywed’s stay gradually takes away their innocence in the most inappropriate and silly ways possible. You probably know the song “Time Warp” from this film. 

Dead Poets Society (PG- today it would be rated PG-13)

I’ll admit, this film is not one I re-watch often because of the weight of the storyline, but it’s an absolute masterpiece nonetheless. Robin Williams stars as an inspirational English teacher at an all-boys boarding school whose methods, though inspiring, veer from the school’s norms. The boys are inspired to begin a “Dead Poets Society-” a secret club where they can read poetry to each other in the black of night and learn to live life to the fullest. This film is classic dark academia and perfect to watch on a rainy day. 

Clue (PG- but PG-13 by today’s standards)

Campy, ridiculous, and fabulous, this has to be one of my favorite dark comedies. Based on the board game Clue it is about a murder at a mysterious dinner party. There’s blackmail, there’s affairs, there’s dead people in closets, and there’s the most amazingly stupid dialogue. A few of my favorite moments include “I’m gonna go home and sleep with my wife” and “Flames, flames, on the side of my face…”

Beetlejuice (PG- definitely PG-13 today)

This is great for older kids because it has some creepy moments. Beetlejuice has a little bit of everything: it’s a comedy and a ghost story, and it has Winona Ryder in it. This one is less cozy and more just fun.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)

This is one of my favorite films of all time. This stop-motion animated musical film by Tim Burton satisfies both my Halloween and Christmas cravings, and I often watch it throughout the year. It’s beautifully animated (if, like me, you think twisted stuff is beautiful), and the soundtrack is a masterpiece.

Corpse Bride (PG)

I always think of Corpse Bride as The Nightmare Before Christmas’ younger, not quite as impressive cousin. Also written and directed by Tim Burton, this film has the same beautiful stop-motion animation and a few fun songs. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter voice the main characters, so you know it has to be good.

R.L. Stine’s Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls (PG)

This is a Goosebumps-style spooky film about teenagers who get caught up with some evil traveling carnival people who want to turn all of them into food for the creepy carnival ghouls. There’s a Halloween festival complete with a corny dance-off, a haunted house walk-through attraction, and lots of Halloween and autumn vibes. Definitely not a masterpiece of a film, but it's still a favorite of mine. 

I narrowed this list several times before deciding which movies to include here. I adore many more Halloween and autumn movies, but these are the stand-out favorites that make it to my to-watch list year after year.

What are your favorite movies to watch in autumn?

Hygge

 

Hygge

I’ve always loved the Danish word “hygge,” but when I use it in conversation (which I do because I’m strange), I get odd looks from family and friends. We don’t have a word in American English that conveys quite the same concept as hygge, and I think we need to make it commonplace in our American vernacular. 

So what is hygge, and where does the term come from?

Photo by Sergei Solo on Unsplash

What is Hygge?

According to Denmark.dk, hygge is difficult to explain, but basically is the idea of taking time “to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures.” It’s the feeling of coziness- those warm and fuzzy feelings we get when we’re sitting by the fire, it’s snowing outside, and we’re drinking a cup of hot cocoa while laughing with our friends and family. The meaning of hygge today originates from the early 1800s but the word dates back to the Middle Ages and meant “protected from the outside world.” The concept is essential to people living in Denmark, where it’s often cold and dreary outside- hygge is usually imagined as spending time indoors with family and friends.

Although the word hygge isn’t quite commonplace yet among my family and friends, it seems to have infiltrated much of American culture in recent years, almost becoming cliche. While reading in preparation for this post, I found articles from NPR, The Telegraph, The New Yorker, the Today Show, and even SELF magazine. Most articles on the concept are geared toward teaching people how to “live more hygge,” so to speak, which, let’s face it, Americans need. 

Being too busy was definitely why I first gravitated toward the idea of hygge. I remember reading The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking around eight years ago when I was a relatively new public school teacher and desperate for some comforting feelings in my life. I have a core memory of laying in a bubble bath, candles lit, quiet classical music playing, and reading the book. I thought…this is what’s missing from my life. I need to give myself permission to slow down occasionally and enjoy just…being.

Years later, I’m still a public school teacher, now also a mom, and I’m definitely still in need of some major hygge in my life. And apparently, I’m not alone in this. People, especially since the pandemic, are craving home-cooked meals, comfy clothing, candles, and cozy nights at home. 

I feel like I’ve somewhat mastered the art of hygge in my home, so I thought I’d share some ideas for how to make your life a bit more hygge.

Home

What each person finds cozy and relaxing in their home will differ significantly, so I will share some of the things I find to give that hygge feeling. 

• Soft, comfortable furniture

• We have a giant sectional in our family room, and it is one of those couches that’s hard to get out of once you’re in it. It sucks you in and forces you to relax. Add a few throw blankets and pillows, and you’re in a cocoon of coziness. 

• FIRE!

• There’s nothing more cozy to me than a crackling fireplace or candlelight, especially in the autumn and winter. I can’t wait for it to get cool enough in Kansas to start lighting our wood-burning fireplace in the evenings. Sometimes, in the winter, I just lay a blanket out in front of the fireplace and read a book or take a nap. Heaven.

• Low lighting

• This goes hand in hand with the fireplace and candles. For me, the fewer bulbs, the better. I despise overhead lighting (much to the dismay of a few of my family members who say they can’t see anything in my house), and I adore lamps, fairy lights, and candles. I also leave off the overhead lights in my office at work and have several lamps. It’s a way of life. 

• House Plants

• Part of the hygge life is enjoying nature, so it makes sense to bring nature inside. I wouldn’t call myself a plant lady (yet), but I have around ten house plants that I absolutely adore. Most of them have names. 

• Tidy up!

• Again, this is so individual, but for me, having a tidy house is vital to feeling relaxed and comfortable. I’m not a minimalist or a super clean person, but when things are in their place, and it looks and smells nice in my home, I feel like I can chill. 

Music

• I  mentioned in my last post that I am a musician, and music is a part of almost everything I do, so I can’t leave it out here. Listening to music, having it on in the background, or playing instruments (especially with friends and family) is the epitome of hygge to me. I love it when my musical family gets together and jams. 

• Here are a few of my favorite albums and artists for those cozy feelings (Spotify links included):

Faith in the Future, Louis Tomlinson

Friends for Life, The High Kings

Room Under the Stairs, ZAYN

Merry Merry Time of Year, The Irish Rovers

Alan Gogoll

The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift

Activities

Hygge is about enjoying simple things alone, especially with friends and family. Here are some of my favorite ways to spend my time the hygge way:

• Games

• Playing cards or board games with friends and family just screams hygge, so I had to include it here. I’ll admit I dislike playing board games but love playing cards on a cozy night.

• Movie Nights

• One of my family’s favorite pastimes is a movie night. We make popcorn, grab a drink, and snuggle up on the previously mentioned giant couch. It’s super cozy, especially when our two big dogs also pile on. For major hygge feels, I would choose a movie that you find comforting. For me, this time of year, it’s all about Halloween and autumnal films. We just watched The Pagemaster with our kids, which came out when my husband and I were kids. It was so cozy and a real hit with the kids. Extra hygge bonus points were that it also felt super nostalgic.

• Coffee Shops and Pubs

• If you’re going to go out and still want to feel hygge, I’d recommend a coffee shop or pub-style restaurant or bar. So many restaurants make you feel rushed and guilty for sticking around and chatting after your meal, but most coffee shops and pubs I’ve been to are chill. My favorite bar in Wichita is a coffee shop/bar hybrid called The Vagamond. It has excellent hazelnut coffee and delicious cocktails. With the low lighting, great music, and local art on the walls, it’s a super hygge place to hang out with friends. 

• Keep plans simple

• One of the most important things to make my time feel hygge is to keep your plans simple. Don’t over-plan or over-commit. It’s ok to stay home and do nothing; outings don’t have to be overly scheduled or fancy. Keep it simple and focus on spending quality time with the people you care about. 

Have you heard of the concept of “hygge”? What activities feel hygge to you? Share some ideas in the comments!

Waiting for Autumn...

 

Waiting for Autumn...

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

I don't know about you, but I go into a state of limbo every September. The excitement of summer is gone, but the weather still sucks. I'm ready for sweaters and pumpkin spice, but I'm stuck sweating in shorts as I chug my fiftieth cup of ice water. The anticipation of waiting for fall weather is one of the most frustrating times for me throughout the year.

That said, now that I'm a grown adult (who goes to therapy once a week), I've found some techniques for getting into the autumn spirit while waiting for autumn weather. I'll share my tips and tricks in this blog and, hopefully, give you some cozy feelings along the way. Feel free to share your tips in the comments- how do you get into the spirit of autumn?

1)  Decorate Your Home

Few things bring me more joy than waking up to see my house full of pumpkins and fall garlands. Some years, I began decorating in August to give the universe a little push in the right direction. It may be hot and humid outside, but it's cozy and autumnal in my house (with the air conditioning on).

Photo by Andrew Tirpok on Unsplash

2) Fall Scents

Whether you’re a candle or wax melt girly or prefer the essential oil life, switch up your home’s signature scents for autumn. I love the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin this time of year, and it’s always a special treat to pick up a new candle or two when I’m out and about. Just yesterday, I picked up two new candles from Bath and Body Works, and they made my evening feel extra magical. 

Photo by Rhamely on Unsplash

3) Get Outside in the A.M.

Where I live, it’s finally starting to get cool in the mornings. By 10am it’s already hot and humid, but early in the morning it’s starting to feel like fall. One of my favorite things to do recently is to get up early in the morning (I’m talking 5:00 a.m.) and sit on my back porch with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. Breathe in that cool (still humid…thanks, Kansas) air and remind myself that we’re getting closer to my favorite weather. Just don’t forget to light a citronella candle if you live somewhere with mosquitos…I learned that the hard way.

4) Fall Music and Ambience

Music is a massive part of my life, and what I listen to completely changes my mood. Recently, I’ve been loving whimsical and dark academic playlists on Spotify. Here are a few I’ve been loving:

Whimsical Mix

Dark Academia Studying and Reading Instrumentals

I will listen to Halloween playlists constantly as it gets closer to Halloween. There’s nothing quite like a little “Monster Mash” to put me in a spooky mood.

Along with Music, I love playing ambiance videos on Youtube in the background. There are tons of great autumn and Halloween-themed videos. My favorites are the ones with fireplace crackling or rain and some cozy images. Here are a few that I’ve been using:

Cozy Autumn Halloween

Cozy Witch Cottage

These videos are fantastic in the background at work or while reading. Sometimes, I even put them on when cleaning my house or making dinner.

5) Watch the Leaves Change

Finally, and maybe the most important tip, is to pay attention to changing leaves. About a decade ago, my husband and I walked along the river in December, and I suddenly said, “oh my gosh! There are no leaves on the trees! When did that happen?!” I realized I had utterly missed the changing seasons while living my busy life. Since then, I have paid close attention to the trees and foliage on my daily drives and walks, noticing when individual leaves turn red, orange, and yellow and finally fall. It makes waiting for cozy weather a bit sweeter when you see the world around you slowly changing. 

Photo by Enes Gundogdu on Unsplash

What are your favorite ways to get into the autumn spirit? Leave a comment below!