Tips and tricks for having a killer date on Halloween


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Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year. We get to dress up as anything and anyone we want and, even if just for a moment, we can pretend to be someone or something we aren’t. The best part of this holiday has to be the events, and college students are known to have some wild nights, especially at USC. Because of that, we can all expect to have some killer Halloween parties this week (yes, pun intended).

The Row will certainly be full of parties, but if that doesn’t sound like an appealing scene for Halloween, don’t fret. There are plenty of spooky, cute and fun things to do with a first-time date or long-term love.

Being from the East Coast, it can be difficult for me to feel like it’s truly fall in Los Angeles, but one thing that never fails to put me in the Halloween spirit is visiting a pumpkin patch. Located at the Del Amo Fashion Center Mall in Torrance, Cottone and Sons Pumpkin Patch is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until Oct. 30. You and that special someone can enjoy a day or night picking the perfect pumpkins, venturing through a corn maze or — if that inner kid is coming out — partaking in face painting and even a petting zoo. For those who are having the time of their lives and want to keep the date going, I recommend picking up some apple cider and a pumpkin carving kit from Ralph’s and putting those pumpkins to good use. There are so many interesting designs to choose from and, if you are artistically challenged like I am, there are sure to be plenty of laughs.

Love being scared? Love The Walking Dead? Haunted Hollywood Sports located in Bellflower, California has 23 Acres of Tower dedicated to making the blood in your veins run cold. Say goodbye to typical haunted houses that either are boring or knock you to the ground. On Oct. 31, starting at 8 p.m. and closing at midnight, you and your date can enter a haunted maze with an airsoft/paintball gun — instead of being scared to death by the zombies jumping out at you, you get to take action and shoot them down. Don’t worry though, just like in The Walking Dead, the zombies are not armed so you have full control over the situation. Get down and dirty and have a romantic evening killing zombies.

Don’t want to go far from campus or spend too much money? Host a scary movie marathon. A great date night does not mean the two of you have to be alone — invite some of your closest friends over for a terrifying all-nighter.

If you do not usually watch scary movies here are some choices that are sure to make you wet your pants: The Exorcist (1973), a classic horror flick where a little girl becomes possessed by a demon (the things she does are sure to make your head spin); The Shining (1980), which features one of Jack Nicholson’s most convincing roles as a writer who turns into a crazed man on a mission to chop up his family; and lastly 1408 (2007), in which John Cusack decides to stay a night in a haunted hotel room for inspiration to write his next book when he finds he might not make it to the next morning. These are just a few movies to make your skin crawl, so have everyone bring a little treat and drink and enjoy the night with your date and friends.

For those who do want to partake in the Row activities this weekend but need costume ideas for couples, there are plenty to choose from. Just to get the creative juices flowing, let’s start with the basic ones: Superwoman and Superman or any of your favorite superheroes, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, zombie bride and groom, Pikachu and Ash, Shrek and Fiona, any Disney princess and prince, Sandy and Danny from Grease and lastly, Cosmo and Wanda. These are just a few ideas, but there are countless options. Think of your favorite foods, shows, kid movies and even beverages.

So muster up the guts and ask that cute boy or girl in your class out on a spooky date.

 

Cassie Collins is a junior majoring in communication. Her column, “From Troy, with Love,” runs Wednesdays.