*I’ve teamed up with Hickory Farms for the holiday season to create some content. As always, all opinions and thoughts are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Coming Up Roses!
Holy pumpkins, Halloween is this weekend. Um, excuse me, October? Where the heck do you think you’re going? Rumor has it the Starbucks winter menu is surfacing Sunday, and I don’t think I’m emotionally prepared to bust out Michael Buble’s “All I want for Christmas is You” yet. #SOS
Aiiiiiiiight, confession time: I hate Halloween.
Well, I guess “hate” is a strong word…I just really really really (really) could do without the cheesy plastic decorations and uber-fake blood and risque costumes. But there *is* a bright side to this “holiday”: food. Specifically, candy. And now that I’m supposedly an “adult,” the fiance and I have figured out 4 stellar Halloween date night alternatives that do not involve tricks…just treats!
{ONE} Picnic outside.
Grab your favorite blanket, a snack basket, and a bottle of vino, and hit the great outdoors (read: your backyard or local park) for a yummy Halloween date night. J and I popped open a Pinot Noir and brought a Hickory Farms snack basket stocked with cheese, crackers, fruit, and sausages – essentially, everything you could possibly want for a cute, light picnic in the park. It all comes in a little basket to begin with, so no need to stress about how to carry your goods. These snack baskets are technically called gift baskets, so remember that Michael Buble Christmas reference up above? Just in case you’ve got a few people to cross off your list and check twice…
{TWO} Bob for apples.
In case you’re an apple-bobbing virgin like I was, here’s the low down: apples float. Typically apple-bobbing involves a large wooden barrel full of water and apples. In lieu of a large wooden barrel, we swapped in a large bowl and made it work for this Halloween date night. Folks take turns sticking their face into the water in an attempt to grab a bobbing apple with their teeth. Bobbing for apples is FUN, seasonally appropriate, romantic, and likely pretty hilarious, so bring your best game face, sense of humor, and your bold bobbing moves! I had never bobbed for apples before, so this was definitely the year to make it happen. J and I are a competitive duo, though, so we weren’t against stealing each other’s apples…
 {THREE} Go *nuts* for cheese-y classics!
Remember how I said I’m not Halloween’s biggest fan? Neither is J, so the two of us are avoid horror movies at all costs. Can you tell we’re not fans of getting spooked? HA. When you still want to ring in the Halloween spirit sans scares, there are a few cheesy classic movies that you’ve gotta add to the list! Hocus Pocus and It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown are two more “modern” must-watches, and Mad Monster Party is a throwback from 1967 that should definitely make your list, too. What pairs perfectly with CHEESE-y movies? CHEESE. Le duh. This cheddar blend is so smooth, creamy, and rich; besides being the perfect complement to any cracker or piece of fruit, it melts like a gem, so you can hook yo’selves up with some cheesy nachos for movie-watching bliss. Also, nuts: the anti-popcorn. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a sucker for popcorn (and wine). But sometimes change is welcome, and Hickory Farms has a nut collection like other. (I could pop Holiday Spice Almonds – available in this swell gift set – like it’s my job.)
 {FOUR} Go on a walk before wine and chocolate!
While we’re not about to dress up and go trick-or-treating (but we would if we could!), it’s still fun to take in the brisk fall air and stroll around checking out decorations and adorable kids’ costumes. Grab your hunny and take a hike around the neighborhood before the ghouls come out, then head back to prep for any trick-or-treaters at your own casa. The best way to prep? Wine and chocolate (obvious, right?). Pour yourselves a classic Chardonnay and channel Forrest Gump – since it IS Halloween! If life is like this box of chocolates, I’ll take the dark chocolate sea salt caramel and be on my merry way.
And just like that, we’re one holiday closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas! I was never a Halloweenie growing up, but finding alternative Halloween date nights for the fiance and I has been royally fun. Add some wine and cheese and snacks and BOOMSAUCE, it’s a date.
[ P.S. Like my faux fur vest?? You can treat yo’self to your own for and get 10% off (but only until SATURDAY!) with code ROSES ]
What’s your favorite Halloween date night idea?
I need to know in a comment below…are you a Halloween junkie, or are you not into the holiday? Do you have any traditions that uphold year after year?
Until next time…peace, love, and happy snacking.
