How to Have a Spooky Halloween Scarefest Without Leaving Your House

If you're in your thirties, single or married, and have no kids, Halloween can be a real drag. For myself, Halloween really stinks as I live in a neighborhood where there are few children and I also live in a somewhat dangerous one, which means my wife and I's trick-or-treater base is extremely limited. I was growing to hate the holiday, as it was leaving me bored with nothing to do except sit and twiddle my thumbs.

But, as of late, I was trying to find newer traditions for this special holiday as I knew that Halloween wasn't just simply about playing dress-up so we could look cool to our peers. Hallloween was about scaring the living daylights out of ourselves and enjoying it while we did it. So, I have compiled a quick and easy guide that can help those of us who are in this boat, where we could still have a good time and not worry about having a hangover the next morning.

First, if you are single, make it a point not to go out and buy that Halloween candy for the local neighborhood kids. While it may be cute to watch them come to your front door in their costumes and see their bright and smiling faces when you give them that small pack of M and M's or that Tootsie Roll, this tradition really looks more like a hand-out where kids of any age can come beating on your door at all hours of the night in order to get that sugar rush. If you want to buy candy, buy just a small supply for yourself so that you have something to munch on for your own activities. Don't buy any alcohol, such as beer, wine , or any other 'spirits' that may hinder your enjoyment. Pull down all the curtains and shades and turn off the lights. In most cases, this will alert parents of trick-or-treating children that the house is no longer active and that their child's grubby little hands will have to go elsewhere in order to get that much-wanted fix that will be going on long until Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If you're not into candy at all, just go out and buy your favorite snacks that you like to munch on (*microwave paninis are my fetish, personally), and also stock up on your favorite non-alcoholic drinks. If you are going to make this an all-night event, you might as well be awake for the evening. If you have high-blood pressure problems, be extremely careful when it comes to caffeine and any sudden surges of adrenaline in your system. (Do not buy any energy drinks under any circumstances, as this will only worsen the problem!) Excess adrenaline can lead to anxiety attacks, and they are no fun once they start and can last for the whole of the evening if you're finding that you're too scared. If you have been sitting for a while, get up and move around for a bit. Even if it is simply walking from one side of the house to the other, it can help burn off that excess energy that you have stored.

Now, we move on to the festivities. I have found that just about any cable channel from AMC all the way down to Sci-Fi has a marathon running of films that are Halloween-themed, and they can be a great place to start and can make for an extremely fun evening of fright. If you do not like watching these films alone, watch with a spouse or loved one, or perhaps maybe invite a few friends over and make a party of it. But, as I stated above, make it a non-alcoholic party and have plenty of soda and other non-alcoholic beverages on hand so that your guests do not remain thirsty. If your friends have children and they cannot obtain a baby-sitter, let them bring them as well and have a bowl of candy ready so that they have their Halloween treats without having to go all over the neightborhood to get it. You could even make a sleep-over out of it for the kids, as if your children are friends with them and you have a spare TV and DVD player, you can pick out some great movies that will help them have an excellent time, and you can even let them dress-up in their costumes if they want.

Below, I am including a list of Halloween greats that will be age-appropriate for your kids, and ones that I think will keep their attention:

1) 'It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown': This Peanuts classic is even a treat for adults as well, and I have loved this one since I was a boy. It not only gets the Halloween spirit going, but it is just so darned cute. Does anyone still remember when Snoopy was shot down by the Red Baron on this night, and he pretended to have to sneak past enemy lines to get to Violet's party dressed in his flight cap and scarf?

2) 'Garfield's Halloween Adventure': Another great Halloween special for kids, as Jim Davis' beloved fat feline takes his trusted pal, Odie, out into the Halloween night to gain their candy booty. But, what they don't count on is being stranded on a deserted island with a creaky old house and a crazy owner across the river, where they hear the story of a group of pirates that vowed to return from the grave to get their ill-acquired treasure at the stroke of midnight! A great and scary fanfare for all the kiddies to enjoy!

3) 'The Witches' : This was one of Jim Henson's further explorations into old legends and myths as this film delves into the story of a young boy who, aftere being turned into a mouse, must save the children of London from the hands of an evil witch (*played by Anjelica Houston), who plans on turning every child in the city into mice in a plan to take over the world!

4)'The Dark Crystal' : While this Jim Henson classic is not exactly Halloween-based, it is a realm that is shrouded in mysticism and magic, and if you have young children who scare easily, this film may be a better choice if they are not into ghosts and monsters.

4) 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' : This Halloween treat made by Disney in the early 80's starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce is a classic story penned by the great Ray Bradbury, and it will definitely send shivers down your spine! The story is set in Iowa in 1910, where a mysterious carnival train happens into a small town, promising the delights and wishes of its patrons. But what many of the townspeople do not realize is that this train and carnival may be more than they appear, and that the whole of the town may be in imminent danger of losing some of its citizens. The troupe, led by the mysterious Mr. Black (*played extremely well and with menace by Jonathan Pryce), will stop at any cost when two local boys find out Black's mysterious secret, and they have put their lives at risk as the pair flee for their lives before becoming part of the carnival's next round of victims!

5) 'The Halloween Tree': This made-for-tv animated movie, (narrated by Ray Bradbury himself), tells the story of five friends, who on Halloween night find that another friend of theirs by the name of Pippin, may be in imminent danger of dying as his spirit is being relentlessly pursued by the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud (*played by Leonard Nimoy), a person whose 'soul job' is to collect the spirits of the dearly departed on Halloween when the candle in the jack o'lanterns of his Halloween Tree in his yard go out. While the group chases their friend through space and time along with Moundshroud, they each learn the history of the creatures that they are representing. We learn of the myths and legends that surround mummies, witches, gargoyles, and even vampires, as Nimoy shows each child with rich narrative and explanation as to what they are as creatures of the night, and how much understanding that people actually have of such things. All the while, they must catch the spirit of their friend, who has been hiding anywhere and everywhere in time to evade Moundshroud. But, in order to save Pippin, the children may have to strike the deal of their lives in order to save their friend on this night, which could mean that even their lives may be shortened by a great and drastic bit! Bradbury has only delved into the horror angle a few times, but he shows that each story he writes is rich and full of wonder, so be sure to try to find this one if you can, as it not only is a fantastic film, it may soothe the curiosities of younger children as to why people dress up as their favorite monsters on Halloween.

Now that we have the kids taken care of with some examples, here are just some great films that the adults may enjoy, and not all of them involve serial killers! :

1) 'The Fog' (*2006 Remake)- This remake of John Carpenter's classic is by far the best that I have seen since the original that starred Jamie Lee Curtis and Adrienne Barbeau. For those that don't know the story, we are taken to an idylllic and quiet coastal town that harbors a great and dark secret that goes back to the 1800's and a leper's colony that existed on the islands just off of their town where a great and horrible act has been committed, and now the vengeful spirits of that time have come back from the dead to exact their revenge. The only clue to their coming is a simple but extremely cold fog that rolls into town and the sight of a ghost ship that lays anchored in the harbor, and the minute that you hear the boots clomping on the deck of your boat or you hear the toll of the ship's bell, you know that your minutes are numbered! This film is one of the most classic ghost stories that I have ever seen, and you will jump when you hear the footsteps that came from above and the signs of seaweed that may be lying around. Make sure that you get this one for that great movie party!

2) 'House Of Wax'- Now, while there have been three renditions of this film, the classic starring Vincent Price still remains the best in my mind as he plays the character of a deranged wax sculptor who kills women and turns them into wax sculptures for his museum. All the while, when he is not on his murderous rampage, he is plotting and scheming his next move and looking for his next victim....the perfect skeletal archetype for his Marie Antionette, which was his greatest masterpiece. Vincent Price is considered one of the masters of the horror film, joining ranks with other greats such as Bela Lagosi, Lon Cheney, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff. If you love classic horror films, give this one a try and also a lot of other great Price films, such as the classic 'House on Haunted Hill', 'Last Man On Earth', or 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes', just to name a few.

3) 'House on Haunted Hill' (* remake, Dark Castle Productions) - This remake of Price's classic, starring Geoffrey Rush, Famke Jannsen, Peter Gallagher, and Taye Diggs, is really a special-effects laden masterpiece that will send you screaming from the room as we enter an old abandoned insane asylum where a rich and powerful theme park owner and creator (*played by Rush) is offering ten million dollars to a group of five unknowns who will receive payment by just making it through the night in the old relic. But, what the others do not know is that the enterpreneur has other things in mind, including the attempted murder of his cuckolding and adulterous wife (*played by Jannsen), who does not know the guests at all... or does she? But, this is not all that they must face, as they must also face the angry spirits that still haunt the walls of the asylum who are still screaming for revenge for dying at the hands of a murderous and insane psychologist (*played by Jeffrey Coombs), who perfomed brutaal and inhuman experiments on them in the name of science. The real question is....will any of them get out alive?

4) 'Ghost Rider' - What, a comic book movie? Yes, as for those that do not know 'Ghost Rider' or have not seen the film, it has an extremely hard Halloween feel to it. The film tells the story of motorcycle stunt driver Johnny Blaze (*played by Nicholas Cage), who in an attempt to save his ailing father's life, makes a deal with the Devil (*played with great zeal by Peter Strauss) in order to keep his father alive. But, what Johnny does not know is the price that will have to pay for that deal when he is called upon as a man and made into the Ghost Rider, the Devil's personal bounty hunter, who must send escaped souls back to Hell for the rest of his eternal life. But, all may not be lost, as Johnny may find a way to save himself and those he loves if he can stop the Devil's son, a demon by the name of Blackheart, who is seeking one of his father's contracts that is called the Scroll Of San Benganza, when if opened, will mean the end of the world as anyone knows it unless Johnny (with the help of the Rider) can stop him! This film may be a comic-book fan boy's dream, but it is also one of the greatest Halloween-themed comics that has ever been created. On top of that, the film is absolutely fantastic and the acting is extremely top-notch!

5) 'Thirteen Ghosts' (*remake, Dark Castle Productions) - In this remake of the 1960's classic, Tony Shaloub stars as Arthur Criticos, a teacher who has lost everything in his life, including his loving wife, after an accidental fire that burned his house and everything that he ever knew to the ground and leaving him with nothing but pain and loss. But, after hearing of the death of a little known uncle (*played by F. Murray Abraham), Arthur learns that he has inherited his late uncle's estate, a mysterious glass house that is of unique design and has riches untold behind its transparent walls. But, those riches may come at a heavy price, as Arthur soon learns that the house is a giant ghost trap, and that in the basement has the world's most evil and destructive spirits known to man within its walls that are only kept at bay by dark magic that his uncle put in himself! Now, Arthur must discover his uncle's dastardly plan in order to not only save his family and the world, but also to maybe save himself!

6) 'Sleepy Hollow' - Tim Burton's retake on the classic story 'The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving, has us meeting Ichabod Crane (*played with realism by Johnny Depp), not as a schoolmaster but as a police inspector of the commonwealth of New York who uses forensic science as a means of catching suspects. But, after being ordered to the Dutch farm colony of Sleepy Hollow to the north by an angry judge who grows tired of his meddling, Crane soon finds that he gets more than he bargained for as he enters a world of dark magic and a ghostly headless apparition who comes in the night to claim heads that he may drag back with him to the gates of Hell. This imaginative take on the old story is absolutely full of thrills, even with all of the gore factor that has been involved with the film. Burton paints an imaginative landscape, and Depp really carries the story along well with what he has to work with. We also cannot forget Christopher Walken's part played with great passion as the Headless Hessian. With these tow stars alone, this to me is an instant Halloween classic!

These are only but a few ideas in the ways of film that you can have an excellent time scaring yourself. There are many other great and classic horror films that you may enjoy that are not included in this list. Whatever you choice may be, make sure it is something you enjoy that will keep you thrilled throughout the night.

If movies are not your thing, then maybe games might help. I have recently written an article on how to play my game, 'Hollywood Degrees'. If you get a chance, take time to read it and see if maybe you can come up with a Halloween edition of the game. If you can make one, I would sure like to hear the results of what you came up with!

If that is not your thing, there have been a great many video games that have been made for both PC and console that are great heart-pounders. But, when you play, make sure that it is nice and dark and turn all the lights out for the full effect! Here is a list that may give you some ideas:

1) 'Still Life' (PC) - 'Still Life' is the story of FBI investigator Victoria MacPherson, who is in the middle of a major case that involves a serial killer who makes paintings out of human blood and leaves the bodies for her to find. But, as the case progresses, Victoria becomes engrossed in an old journal that had belonged to her grandfather, Gustav 'Gus' MacPherson, who was a private investigator as well as an artist. As she reads the pages, she soons discovers that the case that she is investigating mirrors the same one that her grandfather had investigated back in the 1920's in Prague, where he was looking into the murders of several prostitutes that may be connected to an old cult that uses blood as a matter of carrying our their rituals. While it may not have the same terror that comes from hearing a bump of seeing a shadow, where the terror does come in how close you get to the killer each time, as he is breathing down your neck as he watches you from beyond. A great and fantastic thriller for those Halloweens when you want something different.

2) 'Scratches' (PC)- In this game by Got Game Entertainment, you play as an author who has bought a mansion in England that may have a dark and terrible history called Blackwood Manor. You will hear bumps and see strange supernatural occurrances, such as seeing shadows and other things. But, as you go through the game, be forewarned that a great many things are within the house that will make you jump and scream, such as journals that detail ancient African rituals and things that would make your blood run cold. For a great scare, also check this one out!

3) 'Darkfall: The Journal' and 'Darkfall II: Lights Out' (PC) - In this series of games, you play as a paranormal investigator in the present and past as you try to solve the riddle that is behind the mysterious entity that is only known as Darkfall. In 'The Journal', you are at an old and abandoned hotel and train station where your brother and two parapsychology students have mysteriously disappeared. As you look around the place, be prepared to see shadows with red eyes, hear ghostly voices from the beyond, read things that will make your skin crawl, and above all else, you must be strong in facing the Darkfall, as you could very well be its next victim! In 'Lights Out', You begin in 1912 as a cartographer who has been brought to the small British fishing town of Trewarthan, where you have been called to do a map of the town and its local mainstay, the lighthouse on Fetch Rock. But after meeting with the local doctor, Demarion, you soon learn that the men that were manning the lighthouse have disappeared, and the doctor notices that Fetch Rock and the lighthouse have been growing unnaturally larger, and you are sent to the place to investigate a series of rumors that have been connected to the sight, including the hearing of ghostly voices and other paranormal phenomenon. But, you soon discover that this case does not just reach to your time, but also expands into other times, as you soon discover that DarkFall has been there longer than you expected, and it is up to you to stop it! These games are fantastic paranormal thrillers and mysteries, and when you start playing, you may find that you will want more chills than you ever wanted before as the hours pass.

4) 'The Black Mirror' (PC) -In this game from the Adventure Company, you play as Ben Gordon, the wayward realtive of the Gordon family that has returned to the family estate after the suicide of your grandfather after he threw himself onto a spiked fence. Not believing that it was suicide, you play as Ben to further investigate your grandfather's death, but you may have gotten more than you bargained for as you enter a world of madness, magic, and ritual, as you soon find that your family has been tortured by an ancient curse that has tainted the family bloodlines since the 12th century. In order to gain answers, there are a great many things that you will have to make Ben do, and in the end, will Ben be able to solve his grandfather's tragedy and not become the next victim of this curse? The storyline is riveting, and it will have you begging for more just as in such games as 'Darkfall'. Make sure not to miss this one!

5) 'Post Mortem' (PC) - In this prequel to 'Still Life', you play as Victoria's uncle, Gus, as he is drawn into another strange investigation in Paris where a woman has hired you to solve the murders of her brother-in-law and sister, who have been killed by a masked figure and decapitated in their hotel room. As you look into it, you are faced with another cult that may be murdering innocent victims to get their hands on a powerful and magical object that was once owned by the Templars, and may be a mystical source of their power. You will see great atrocities, as Gus has the gift of post-cognition, where he sees how the death occurred in his mind's eye when he gets too close to a location where an act may have been committed. This game is a real nail-biter, and comes highly recommended by this content producer.

6) The 'Fatal Frame' Series (Multi-console Platforms)- These games are great for one simple reason...the ghosts get right in your face! The only weapon you have in these games is a camera, and you never know when the spirits will come at you and try to harm you as they actually can, which makes these games so unique! If you want a quick adrenaline rush, these are awesome!

So, before you decide to spend your hard earned money on that new costume for that drunken bash your friends are having, how about a quiet frightfest at home? It does a lot of things for you, such as keeping you off the streets and out of the tank, lets you relax, and shows your friends that you do not have to have a drink and dance in order to have a good time.

Happy Halloween!