11 Tips for Celebrating Halloween at Work

Halloween isn’t just for kids to dress up, ask strangers for candy, and have all the fun. You can have fun celebrating Halloween, too, even at work. Celebrating Halloween at work isn’t like celebrating it with your friends. You don’t want to offend your coworkers or embarrass yourself because you still need to work with these people on November 1. Keep reading to learn 11 tips for celebrating Halloween at work. 

1. Find out what your company does 

If you’re new to the company, ask how everyone celebrates. If no one else dresses up, and you’re not going to be embarrassed by dressing up, then go ahead and wear a costume to work. You might even start a new tradition. But, if no one else dresses up, and you’d feel embarrassed and uncomfortable being the only one in costume, then skip it.  

2. Don’t offend anyone 

Just because you’re wearing a costume at work, doesn’t mean you can ignore the dress code. When you’re choosing what to wear, ask yourself how you’d feel if you were wearing it while in a meeting with your biggest client. If you’d feel uncomfortable, you should probably choose a different costume. Furthermore, you should stay away from anything political or stereotypical because it might offend someone. 

Read also: 7 Things You Should Never Talk About at Work 

3. Don’t tease your coworkers 

Even if almost everyone dresses up, don’t tease the people who choose not to wear a costume. Not everyone likes Halloween.  

4. Make sure you can still do your job  

When you’re choosing your costume, make sure it won’t get in the way of doing what you’re paid to do. For example, if you spend all day talking to customers, stay away from face masks or anything that could make it difficult to hear or talk. If you spend all day typing, don’t choose a costume that covers your hands.  

5. Keep allergies in mind  

If you plan on keeping a bowl of candy at your desk, make it obvious what type of candy each piece is. That way, no one has to worry about accidentally grabbing something they’re allergic to. You might even consider asking your coworkers if they’re allergic to anything and just avoid those types of candy entirely.  

6. Organize a group costume 

Consider having all your coworkers dress up in a themed costume. For example, you might all come to work as members of a band or your favorite cartoon characters.  

7. Host a Halloween lunch  

Organize a potluck and scour Pinterest to find fun ideas for Halloween-themed food.  

8. Organize a pumpkin carving contest  

Pumpkin carving contests are fun for everyone, even people who don’t like costumes. You might offer a small prize, like a gift card to the local coffeeshop. If your boss thinks that the contest will be too messy, offer to pick up some of fake carve-able pumpkins. 

Read also: 10 Team Building Ideas 

9. Decorate your cubicle or office 

Add fake cobwebs or pumpkins to your workstation to make it more festive.  

10. Ask to close the office early 

If you know that your company will be slow anyway, ask the boss if you can close early. That way, your team can help their kids get ready for trick-or-treating.  

11. Play Halloween music 

If your office or store has music playing all day, put on a Halloween playlist to get everyone in the spirit.