"Embracing the Spirit: My First Halloween Decorating Experience at Blair Cottage"

As the chill of autumn enveloped the town of Crowland and the flatlands of the Fens last year, I found unparalleled joy in embracing the season at Blair Cottage.

For those who know me, my heart belongs to Halloween, an enchanting time that transforms my quaint home into a haven of warmth and charm.

Cocooned in the embrace of rustic decor, I revel in the shorter days and longer evenings. There’s something delightful about slipping into my favourite pyjamas at 3pm, lighting the fireside, and adorning the cottage with flickering candles and my fairy lights.

My evenings are often spent curled up with a spine-tingling horror novel, watching a horror film or indulging in nostalgic television programmes such as episodes of 'Most Haunted', all while surrounded by the comfort of my favourite blankets, Autumnal patterned blankets, of course.

Autumn is a visual symphony of golden leaves adorning the trees, each dancing in the sunlight's glow—a breathtaking palette of yellows, reds, and browns that captures the very essence of this season.

The air is perfumed with delightful hints of pumpkin spice, wafting from scented candles and air fresheners or from the coffee syrups I pour into my morning coffee, evoking the comfort of home. Shops brim with delightful autumn treasures, each piece adding a touch of seasonal magic to my cottage.

Blair Cottage radiates quintessential British charm. Its snug, inviting spaces make it a perfect retreat during the colder months. While spring and summer beckon me to the back living room in my cottage, where sunlight floods through my patio, and I can savour the fresh garden air, autumn and winter call for the comforting embrace of the snug, steeped in nostalgia and timeless warmth.

I often encounter people who dismiss autumn and Halloween, claiming the festivities are overly Americanized. However, the origins of this captivating holiday trace back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain—a beautiful celebration of the harvest and the transition to winter.

In those days, the Celts believed that the veil between the living and the spirit world was delicately thin during this time. This rich history weaves into what we now cherish as Halloween, influenced by Roman and Christian traditions along the way.

So, when people insist that Halloween is merely an American invention, it stirs something profound within me. Its roots are anchored firmly in our heritage, and I am grateful that our friends across the pond have embraced this luminous occasion with such fervour.

They go all out in decorations and celebrations, highlighting the beauty of what autumn embodies—a joy not often found in the UK. It saddens me that we don’t celebrate Halloween here with the same exuberance, for it is a magnificent season that my mother and I eagerly anticipate and countdown to each year.

This past Halloween 2024 marked a noteworthy milestone as I celebrated it for the first time at Blair Cottage, and let me tell you, it was simply magical. Embracing the season in my quaint, cosy retreat was everything I hoped it would be—full of warmth, laughter, and joy from celebrating this beautiful time of year.

As the leaves turned golden and a crispness filled the air, Halloween at Blair Cottage unfolded into a delightful tapestry of warmth and charm, the perfect blend of country living and festive spirit. This year was even more special, with my mum joining me at the celebrations. With no one else from the family bothering to make it, having her there felt like a treasure all on its own.

I was distraught and disheartened that none of my family or friends came to visit my home for Halloween. They all know how much effort and time I spent on making it special, and not coming really upset me. Then again, none of them came for my 30th birthday either. Thank goodness for my mumma bear, though!

Halloween 2024 began in the cosiest of ways—a leisurely morning filled with the soft glow of candlelight and the gentle aroma of freshly baked croissants wafting through the cottage. My mum, who happens to share her birthday with Halloween, was all aglow as she unwrapped her presents.

Lots of Fairfax & Favor, Rydale and Holland Cooper, and absolutely stunning Shein pyjamas. I love to spoil my mum. She never gets spoilt. So to give her luxurious gifts, it makes me happy. There is also something so magical about celebrating a birthday on this whimsical day, which is Halloween. My little witch.

We treated ourselves to refreshing glasses of champagne and fresh orange juice, toasting life and all its wonderful moments. Nibbling on croissants adorned with sumptuous jam, we enjoyed the simplicity that comes with family gatherings. I say family gatherings, as despite it being just us two, we had Hamish, our beautiful English Bullie, and Clara Bell, so the four of us—that's a family gathering to me.

As the day rolled on, the air filled with laughter and joy. My mum embraces her special day as a time for mischief and magic, and we certainly indulged in that spirit. She takes no offence to the playful term "witch," as she wholeheartedly lives up to it in the best possible way!

As the crisp autumn air beckoned, I donned my festive attire—a pair of scrubs (that I actually acquired from the hospital whilst on shift one night, because I was projectile vomited on, and it went all over my uniform by a patient whilst I was at work).

In terms of accessories to complete the look, I just used my Stethoscope which I have on me for work. I then covered myself in fake blood, adding a hint of spookiness—before setting off for a charming stroll around the town of Crowland with Hamish in his pram, and of course, he participates in the festivities. He was given some scars and stitches reminiscent of 'Frankenweenie', and his whimsical pumpkin costume was also on.

I chose to wear my scrubs because they were the only thing I had for Halloween at Blair Cottage. I also did not have time to shop around and organise a themed outfit. I was far too busy decorating my cottage and ordering and wrapping my mum's birthday presents. So the scrubs, Stethoscope, and fake blood were a quick and simple outfit, which I think was effective anyway. And yes, I did walk around the town dressed up—it was Halloween, after all!

Our meanderings led us to the local pub, where we cosied up by the crackling fire, enjoying a few drinks that perfectly complemented the autumnal ambience. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, we returned home, eagerly anticipating the arrival of trick-or-treaters.

I had doubts about being situated on the high street, away from the clusters of houses on the newly built estates and streets. Having only lived in Crowland for a few months, I figured that my passion for Halloween might go unnoticed.

To my delight, however, the evening became a magical experience filled with laughter and the cheerful chatter of little ghosts and goblins at my door. The spirited children admired the Halloween decorations that adorned my cottage, each reflecting my obsession with the season and love for traditional decor.

This was my first Halloween in Crowland, and sharing this special day with my new community felt utterly fabulous. The combination of rustic autumnal décor and the warmth of the evening truly made it a night to remember.

I’m already dreaming of this year’s celebrations! My back is already screaming at me in agony and pain as it thinks about me going up into the loft and getting all the Halloween bits and bobs all out again.

It is now June at Blair Cottage when the sun casts its warm glow, and yes, I love to bask in that golden light while savouring my carrot oil for a lovely tan. But let me share a little secret: something truly enchanting about this month of June goes beyond sun-soaked days. It’s that magical moment when the treasures of autumn and Halloween decor begin to grace the shelves in my beloved stores like TK Maxx and Homesense.

While many are sipping fruity ciders in sun-drenched beer gardens, I can blissfully wander the cosy aisles of TK Maxx and Homesense. With each step, I eagerly gather delightful pumpkin spice candles and twinkling decorations that whisper promises of the coming cosy months.

It's a delightful tradition for us autumn enthusiasts, as we affectionately refer to this time as “Code Orange.” It seems that other charming places, like George at Asda, are also starting to offer a sprinkle of autumn magic online.

I like to reminisce about a particularly joyous adventure during my university days in Bedford. In my house share, I was close to a Homesense. I still smile when I think about carting away 14 delightful treasures of Halloween decor for a sum of £194.84.

Oh, what a haul it was! With my £200 deposit given back to me from the landlord at my house share, though, and that being then used for my spending spree in Homesense, there was no room for remorse—only pure excitement for the creeping magic of Halloween that awaited me.

You see, I never truly need more autumnal or Halloween decorations; my collection is already vast, yet each year, I find myself irresistibly drawn to add even more to my cosy assortment. It's as if these enchanting pieces call to my heart, urging me to embrace their warmth and whimsy, creating a snug haven as the leaves turn and the air takes on a brisk, crisp quality.

Celebrating my mum’s birthday on Halloween has been a cherished tradition every year. Each year, her home would transform into a whimsical wonderland overflowing with decorations that cast a warm, inviting glow.

As a child, I vividly recall the thrill of dressing up for trick-or-treating and the anticipation of choosing the perfect costume each year. I was usually a cat, however. My heart truly belongs to Halloween, a season that resonates with my spirit.

My passion also extends into the ink on my skin too—each tattoo a tribute to my love for all things Wicca and Pagan. I have my familiars, in the form of a bat and crow tattoo. As well as the pentagram enclosed in a circle, a hare gazing up at a full moon, the number 11 and my little pumpkins.

My Halloween preparations last year kicked off with a trip to my mum’s house, where all my treasured decorations are carefully stored in her garage and loft. It’s a bit of a journey, but once I loaded everything into my car and brought it all back to Blair Cottage, the fun really began!

I stow the decorations away for a couple of weeks and then as September rolls in, out will come my pumpkin bits and pieces. Then as soon as October appears, it’s time to unleash the full force of my Halloween spirit!

The decorating process is no small feat—I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I strive for everything to be just right.

It’s not just a matter of tossing up a few decorations; I meticulously curate every detail. This includes changing my current decor, like ornaments in my snug window, and swapping out my cushion covers for autumnal design cushions to prepare for the seasonal shift.

The transformation extends beyond just decorations. I change all my hand soap dispensers to feature pumpkin or autumn scents—who wouldn’t want their home smelling like fall? I also swap out my kitchen tea towels and even my cups and mugs, all in line with the seasonal theme.

The bathroom towels are changed for Autumnal ones, and all my air wick plug in air fresheners get swapped to a pumpkin spice fragrance. And let’s not forget about laundry! Switching to autumn-scented comforts and detergents is another way I immerse myself in the spirit of the season.

Last year, Aldi had some fantastic laundry products that really made a difference. Honestly I'm not mad, I just have to have everything just so. A perfectionist perhaps? But the smell of my freshly washed clothing, adorned with pumpkin spice was just so scrumptious!

I also remember buying my very first bunch of gourds from Aldi too. This year at Blair Cottage, I actually have some growing in my own garden. A first for me, but if successful, I will be able to place them lovingly in my cottage this Autumn as decor. I don't use the gourds for eating (this may seem wasteful) I simply just use them for decorations for both inside my cottage and outside in my courtyard garden.

Shopping for fall-themed drinks is a must also! I particularly enjoy grabbing some ales 'Hobgoblin' from Wychwood to cozy up my evenings, and I have been known to purchase mead from country fairs. I can honestly see why in medieval times, mead was a favourite drink to quench ones thirst. I love it. To me it tastes like a mix between a wine and a sweet sherry, with notes of honey. It's honestly like golden nectar, absolutely scrumptious!

Candles play a key role in setting the perfect ambience too. I exchange my everyday candles for ones that evoke the essence of autumn and Halloween—think warm spices and comforting scents. Honestly, I go a little crazy with it, but every bit of effort is worth it.

In the end, all this preparation is about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that embraces the coziness of my home. There’s nothing quite like snuggling up in a beautifully decorated space that feels just right for the season. It brings me joy and truly captures the essence of autumn!

As I looked around at my seasonal sanctuary, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the effort that goes into it.

As Halloween approached last year though, I found myself filled with both excitement and a hint of worry. This was my first time celebrating in my own home, and the nerves crept in, especially when I realized that unlike my mum’s charming abode, my little Blair Cottage doesn’t have a front garden to adorn with festive flair.

In the past, I loved showcasing elaborate displays in my mums front garden, that welcomed trick-or-treaters and passersby alike. But this year, without that welcoming front garden, I felt a wave of panic.

How could I possibly capture the spirit of Halloween and let everyone know that Blair Cottage is a place where spooks and sweets abound?

After some brainstorming and a cup of mead to soothe my thoughts, I decided to get creative with my front of house. I transformed it into autumnal charm. I managed to place some fake cobwebs in my window flower planter boxes, and taped up some plastic banner signs which read 'Caution' and 'Do not Enter'.

I was also able to hang a friendly ghost, on my Blair Cottage sign above my door, and he swayed gently in the breeze.

I bought some sweets last minute actually from Tesco, because I thought I'd have no trick or treaters, but then suddenly panicked and thought if I did, I didn't have any sweets to hand out.

So I got some sweets from Tesco and filled a basket with treats, ready to greet all the little ghouls and goblins who dared to knock on my door.

While I may not have a sprawling front garden, my little Blair Cottage still has a warmth that shines through. I purposely left my curtains open in the snug, so people could see through into the snug and beyond at the lights and decorations I had up in my cottage. It was very cosy looking if I do say so myself.

This Halloween, I learned that with a bit of creativity and a sprinkle of cozy charm, I could make my own festive magic right at home. My very own first time home!

Here’s to many more Halloweens filled with creativity and community spirit! I will forever be your Halloween Queen, and myself and family, even the pets get involved.

My back may be in excruciating pain, whilst I wait for my spinal surgery, but I am already thinking of my plans for Halloween this year. I would hate to let people down, and myself down.

Blair Cottage always welcomes my witches, ghouls and goblins, and I can't wait for my beautiful and beloved Autumn and spooky season this year for 2025!