Usually around this time of the year, people are excited to buy candy or making costumes in preparation of Halloween, the fiesta that kicks off the holiday season.

But this year is different.. Because of COVID-19, people have to think of different, safer ways to celebrate Halloween, and my family is no different.

Since the beginning of October, my mother, father, both of my younger brothers and I have been trying to figure out a way to celebrate Halloween safely.

Gilda, my mother, was concerned for my younger brothers.

“We really wanted to celebrate Halloween this year since the little ones have been cooped up inside the house for most of the year,” said Gilda.

In order to maintain a  social distance, my mom thought it was best to stay inside and plan something simple.

“The risk of COVID has made us rethink whether this is truly important enough to celebrate, so we did something different,” said Gilda.

So, instead of buying costumes and going out, we made homemade costumes and used ones from last year, making things such as an orange Lego brick costume, by painting a cardboard box and cutting holes in it for his arms and legs making him look like an orange Lego brick with legs.

My younger brother wanted to use an old Spider-Man costume that he had used last year, not having much of a problem with it since he loves Spider-Man, only one of my parents dressed up for Halloween this year which was my mother who was a witch.

My mom said this about their costumes “They were stinkin cute!”

Early that week, my mom went on a candy-buying binge and stocked up on snickers, starburst, Twix, skittles, etc.

As the sun set, we saw near to no trick or treaters walking outside. We snuggled up on the couch after dinner, which had chicken and rice, and watched two Halloween movies.

First we watched Coraline, then The Nightmare Before Christmas.

One of younger brothers actually enjoyed this year, despite the pandemic.

“I wanted to go trick or treating during Halloween but I was happy to spend time with my partners since they are always busy with work. I also made my own costume which was the coolest part of Halloween this year,” said my younger brother.