Halloween is still a week away, but we all know that it’s really going down this weekend!
 
This will be my first Halloween spent with my friends, in my own apartment, and over the legal (U.S.) drinking age. All of my pent up excitement is at it’s breaking point — I. CAN’T. WAIT. But it’s also this very eagerness that has my mom all worried about the possible shenanigans I might get into this weekend…  
 
That’s why she made this list of Halloween DOs and DON’Ts. Don’t worry, my mom is full of surprisingly reasonable advice, so I barely needed to modify it! 


 
 
1. DO dress up.

I mean, come on. It’s Halloween! It’s just once a year! Even if you’re planning on staying in, slap on some zombie make-up or wear a wig. It’ll get you in the spirit and the trick-or-treat kiddos will like you better! And if you do go out, how boring would it be to show up in normal clothes while everyone else is in costume?! Even the simplest of details can make an easy costume, so there are no excuses!
 
2. DON’T freeze to death.

I don’t know where you guys live, but October 31st in Seattle is guaranteed to be freezing. So no matter what your costume is, dress warmly! It’s worth covering up the awesomeness at times — you’ll be grumpy the whole night if you’re freezing on the walks between parties.
 
3. DO party.

Halloween is the best holiday for kids and adults alike, in my humble opinion! It’s macabre at times, hilarious at others…but best of all, you don’t have to buy anyone presents! In my book, that justifies a celebration. If you’re not the going-out type, party with yourself (and your costume! See DO #1.) or a few close friends. Watch scary movies, eat candy, carve a pumpkin, drink cider…anything! Just don’t let the festivities go to waste!
 
4. DON’T forget to drink water.

However, if you are the going-out type, a lack of proper hydration is a huge no-no. Puking into your wig and waking up at your parents’ house with a killer hangover is damaging to both one’s pride and one’s relationship with said parents (source: personal experiene). Ample water, and a proper meal, are remarkably good at preventing these atrocities. Even though the awesomeness of Halloween can be overwhelming at times, the rules still apply: pace yourself throughout the night, drink responsibly, and if you start to feel sick hydrate!
 
5. DO eat candy.

So you’re too old to go trick-or-treating…who cares? They sell bags of candy everywhere, so you don’t have to drag your pillowcase around the neighborhood while fielding questions about your age. Clearly, we should avoid eating too much candy, but a bag or two of m&m’s won’t hurt you. It is Halloween, after all.
 
6. DON’T sleep in that Halloween make-up!

I know it’s hard to muster the energy to wash your face before you collapse into bed after a night out, but it will make a world of difference! Your pillows and your skin will thank you! Plus, am I the only one who wakes up with red, itchy eyes when I don’t take my mascara off? It’s the worst!

Do you guys (or your moms) have any other tips for a fun and safe Halloween?

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