Back in 2021, I made myself an October bucket list, and honestly? Between then and now, not much has changed.
Apparently, past me knew exactly what she wanted from spooky season because I still love this list. I’m not even interested in reinventing the wheel. I’m just bringing it back for 2026 and actually trying to check these things off this year.
So, here is my 2021 October bucket list, resurrected for 2026:
- Watch spooky movies — including at least one Vincent Price movie, The Bride of Frankenstein, Corpse Bride, The Haunted Mansion, Halloweentown, Halloween, and The Amityville Horror
- Visit a haunted house
- Go on a hayride
- Make pumpkin cookies and pumpkin empanadas
- Go to a pumpkin patch
- Have a fall photo shoot
- Carve a pumpkin
- Bake a pie
- Make hot apple cider
But as much as I love Halloween and all the spooky-season activities, if I’m being completely honest, what I really want is for the weather to cooperate enough that I can stay inside with a good cup of hot cocoa and watch Mickey’s House of Villains.
That’s it. That’s the dream.
Give me chilly weather, a blanket, hot cocoa, something pumpkin-flavored, and Mickey’s House of Villains playing on the TV, and I will happily cancel approximately 90% of my plans.
Five years later, I still want the same cozy, spooky, slightly ridiculous October experience. Apparently, I have not evolved. I have simply acquired more responsibilities.
And honestly? I’m okay with that.
Some things don’t need to be replaced just because they’re old. Sometimes you make a list in 2021, look at it in 2026, and realize, Yep. Still sounds like a damn good October.
Now I just have to actually do the things instead of making the list and calling that the activity.
