Summerween is my new hybrid hosting obsession – as I just can't wait until October to celebrate my favorite holiday

By the time October rolls around and fall is underway, it can be a little late for Halloween decorating ideas. I'm fed up of leaving it until the last minute to find the shelves are bare. But I've noticed recently that the stores are stocked with outdoor Halloween decor as early as July. So, while it may seem a little too early to start the prep, it can also be a great excuse to extend the celebrations, but with a more summery twist. I think I've discovered my favorite new (unofficial) holiday: summerween.

It turns out that celebrating Halloween in the summertime isn’t as controversial as you might think, and it’s given me the opportunity to get into the spooky spirit while the weather is still ideal for al fresco hosting. If your interest is piqued, here’s everything you need to know about summerween.

What is summerween?

As you might have guessed, summerween combines summer hosting with elements of Halloween. Before embracing the dark, cozy side of the holiday with the arrival of fall, you can put a fun spin on your summer celebrations.

What I love about summerween isn't just the chance to indulge in pre-Halloween festivities, but getting to reimagine them in a different context – and I've been really leaning into the vibrant beachy theme. From pastel pumpkins to Halloween-inspired summer cocktail recipes, summerween has added an entirely new dimension to my seasonal hosting.

When is summerween celebrated?

Summerween isn't celebrated on single date – it's simply a question of how early you'd like to kick off your Halloween celebrations. The concept of summerween was popularized by a 2012 episode of Disney's animated series Gravity Falls. Since then, however, it's evolved into a summer-long retail and styling trend.

If you're looking for an excuse to throw a party later in the summer, summerween couldn't be a better garden party theme; and a Halloween look is guaranteed to set your event apart from the rest at this time of year.

How to celebrate summerween

My favorite way to celebrate summerween is with some DIY decorations. Watermelon jack-o-lanterns are my current obsession, since they double up as a striking summer table centerpiece.

I've also been experimenting with subtle Halloween decor at my summer gatherings. Think pale orange flower arrangements, Halloween string lights, and some understated accessories – I've already purchased a number of Pottery Barn's viral terracotta jack-o-lanterns for my al fresco tablescapes, too.

For a more direct approach, of course, you can host a spooky pool party complete with outdoor games and Halloween floaties, or transform your outdoor evening party into a summerween affair with a lineup of scary movies and some themed snacks. (It's never too early to bake pumpkin spice cookies, after all.)

You can also give pumpkins a summery twist with Hawaiian floral leis, create orange cocktails with Halloween accessories or even make your own Halloween ice pops for party snacks that embrace the seasonal fusion.

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