A Safe, Yet Sweet, Halloween
Considering that the world is already spooky enough right now, how do college students celebrate Halloween? That is the question that all of us have been asking ourselves. Tufts sent out an email to all students requesting that we cancel trick-or-treating activities, limit our social gatherings, and adhere to all additional Tufts Covid policies and guidelines. With that in mind, clubs and friend groups have gotten creative. This year, we won’t be saying “boo hoo,” but rather just “boo!” as we celebrate this spooky season.
As I lay in bed on Monday night, I heard people outside my door talking. When they left, I turned on my light, thinking they must have slid something under my door, but there was nothing there. I turned off the light and went to bed, thinking the people must have been at the next door, but the next morning, I opened my door and found a Boogram! What is a Boogram? A Boogram is a white bag that looks like a ghost and is filled with candy. It gets hung on your doorknob and comes with a message written on the back, from your friends, or maybe even your boo. These fun surprises come courtesy of the Palmier, our new culinary publication on campus (check out their website)! Through the Palmier’s website, anyone could fill out a google form and send a Boogram to someone special to them for just a few dollars. What a treat!
The fun doesn’t stop there though. On Wednesday night, I attended Professor Proctor’s trivia and costume contest night via Zoom. I entered the costume contest with my friend, Meghan, as an 80s workout trainer (“Let’s work it ladies! Lift those knees!”), and my friend, Emily, who was a Greek muse. We booked a room in Olin (the language building), and Zoomed into the contest together, ultimately winning $15 for our glorious outfits. The three of us joined with five other friends from Tufts History Society to make a trivia team, and we took home $25 for coming in third place! We sure did “work it” in the trivia department.
Tufts Dining has really gotten into the Halloween spirit too. Every day this week, they have had special Halloween treats at the Commons Marketplace and Hotung Café. Some highlights include apple cider and pumpkin donuts, fro-yo, Reese’s pumpkins, oreo popcorn, and deep fried oreos.
The big Tufts Halloween tradition is the annual organ concert which takes place in Goddard Chapel. Students normally dress up and grab apple cider donuts at the door before finding their seats and listening to the concert. This year, we can’t host the event in person, but fortunately, the chaplaincy has still organized the event to take place online, and students can pick up their donuts ahead of time.
The late Beat poet Diane di Prima once wrote:
“my vow is:
to remind us all
to celebrate
there is no time
too desperate
no season
that is not
a Season of Song”
In light of her inspirational words, my advice this week is to be creative in how you celebrate Halloween. Wherever you are, stay safe while you celebrate, but just because this Halloween won’t be normal doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. If you are in doubt as to how to spend your holiday, I suggest watching a movie (some of my favorites are Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown) in your favorite flannel while eating a Reese’s peanut butter cup. However you choose to celebrate, stay safe, stay sweet, and don’t trick-or-treat!