The Halloween Blog
Where spooky is always in season.
10+ years of decor ideas, recipes, DIYs, playlists, spooky travel, interviews, and more — updated year-round because October 31st doesn’t wait.
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Halloween Music History: “I Put a Spell on You”
Before there was “Thriller” or “Monster Mash” there was “I Put a Spell on You.” And it’s a song that almost didn’t happen. Learn the true story behind Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ iconic original, how it came to be, and how it haunted the rest of his music career.
6 Small Shops for Spooky Home Decor
This year, Halloween Hunting is getting a refresh! Alongside the shop spotlights you know, I'm adding roundups organized by category. First up: six small shops for spooky home decor, from wheel-thrown cauldron pottery to quilted vintage ghosts, all worth shopping before the big box stuff hits shelves.
Midsummer Scream Radio
The 10th annual Midsummer Scream is happening this weekend in Long Beach, CA, and I couldn’t be more excited. This playlist is the perfect blend of surfer music and spooky vibes to get you ready for a hauntingly good time on the California coast.
Halloween 101: How to Decorate Your Porch & Yard
Ready to decorate for Halloween? From porch to walkway to yard, these zone-by-zone tips will help you create a display that actually stands out.
Introducing Killer Halloween Party: A New Home for Party Planning
Surprise! I've launched a sister site dedicated entirely to Halloween party planning AND published a book to go along with it. Learn more about what Killer Halloween Party is, who it's for, and where to find everything.
It's Spooky Christmas in July!
UPDATED FOR 2026: Why wait until December? If you're the kind of person who celebrates Halloween all year long, Spooky Christmas in July was basically made for you. Here are the dark and delightful finds worth grabbing right now.
100 Things To Do This Halloween Season
Looking for things to do this Halloween season? Here is a list of 100 ideas from your favorite Halloween blogger!
10 Hidden Gems at Midsummer Scream
Midsummer Scream is turning 10, and after five visits to Long Beach, I've learned this event rewards the people who know where to look. Here are 10 hidden gems worth building into your weekend, from the fog-lit bar in Hall of Shadows to a quiet, moving tribute happening in every haunt this year.
11 Halloween S'mores Perfect for the Campfire
UPDATED FOR 2026: National S'mores Day is August 10th, and I’m celebrating the only way I know how — with Halloween. Here are 11 spooky s'mores recipes perfect for the campfire, the bonfire, or a cozy fall night in.
The Summer Horror Movie Guide
Not all summer horror is the same. This guide organizes the best horror films by subgenre — summer camp slashers, beach and ocean horror, road trip nightmares, and folk horror rituals — with 3-4 curated picks per category and a 'watch it if' guide for every film. Your Summerween movie marathon starts here.
9 Halloween Beach Reads
Looking for spooky summer reading that isn't ocean horror? This list of Halloween beach reads covers gothic horror, witchy curses, dark academia, and darkly funny thrillers — perfect company for a beach bag, a pool float, or a porch swing all Summerween long.
The Spooky Summer U.S. Road Trip Guide
Skip the beach and hit the haunted road instead. This guide covers the best spooky summer road trip stops across the U.S. — ghost towns, haunted cities, cursed hotels, and abandoned sites organized by region — so you can plan your dark tourism detour no matter where the summer takes you.