Beyond fun-sized: 6 big ways to get into the Halloween spirit at Walgreens

Anticipation for the Halloween season seems to grow each year, fueled by a love of nostalgia, the thrill of scary movies and supernatural spooks, and—let’s be honest—good ol’ Halloween candy. No matter which part of the season you’re most excited for, Walgreens has something for you in our seasonal aisle, now fully stocked for Halloween 2024. Or shop all Halloween merchandise online and get it delivered in as little as 1-hour or pick it up at your store, ready in as little as 30 minutes.  

Here are six ways to get into the Halloween spirit now, from new and exclusive candy and gifts to sophisticated or downright spooky decorations and accessories. 

1. Skeletons in every size and species

“Skeletons are continuously trending, so we’ve been thinking bigger and beyond the expected this season,” says Samantha Potjeau, Walgreens category manager for seasonal products. “I’m really excited about our new Light Up Giant Skeleton Head—at nearly two feet tall, it’s so big, the pictures really don’t do it justice!” The five-foot tall Pose-able Skeleton, a perennial best-seller, has returned, along with a three-foot side kick. 

In the “beyond” category, you can find a collection of cute and somewhat-anatomically correct animal skeletons. “We have a cow, duck, donkey, dog and even a fish,” explains Potjeau. “Customers can build their own little animal sanctuary with these, or I’ve even seen them set up as a barnyard out front of the house for trick-or-treaters.” Skeleton-mania extends into tabletop décor like the LED Skeleton Candelabra, accessories like the Light Up Skeleton Hat and season-blending items like the Skeleton Nutcracker. 
 

2. Creepy candies that are both trick and treat

“We always try to infuse some novelty and newness in our owned-brand Nice! candy assortment for Halloween,” says Courtney Shields, director of Walgreens owned brands. “We love treats that are a fun experience to enjoy, like our Eyeball Hot Cocoa Melts and Gummy Spooky Noodles, a really cute seasonal take on ramen noodles in a cup.” Serve these up at your next scary movie marathon to get the frights started early!

“For people who love Halloween, there are certain flavors that resonate,” says Shields. “Candy Corn is a treasured fall treat, Pumpkin Spice is another one people crave, and we’re seeing more interest in Salted Caramel as well.” Get your fill of the tastes of fall with both classic and gummy Candy Corn, Hot Cocoa melts in Pumpkin Spice and Salted Caramel flavors, or try the hit Mini Cone snacks in Salted Caramel and Cinnamon. Shop all Nice! owned brand candy here. 

3. Decorations that scream fall but don’t make you want to, well, scream

If you’re not into having a bunch of bones around your house, there’s a whole other side of fall décor at Walgreens just for you. “This year, we added in a lot of items in what we call the ‘Harvest’ collection,” says Potjeau. “I’m more of a Harvest-style decorations person myself, so I love picking up items like the fall candles and the boucle pumpkins for my house.”

These items are a subtle nod to the changing of the seasons and can be displayed all the way through to the Thanksgiving holiday. The assortment of boucle pumpkins has been popular with customers for several years running and comes in a variety of sizes and colors, for any corner that needs a touch of fall. 

4. Collectibles and characters that only come out once a year

“Our The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise is our biggest character-driven line and there’s definitely a following for collectors,” says Potjeau. “One item I can see going viral among fans is the Oogie Stainless Steel Tumbler, based off of the popular Stanley mugs.”  You can find The Nightmare Before Christmas items across categories like indoor décor, toys, household, apparel, cosmetics and plush, with many products exclusive to Walgreens. Shop all The Nightmare Before Christmas items here. 

“Halloween is one of our best seasons for Squishmallows,” says Peyton Meade, associate category manager for basic and seasonal plush, referencing the popular stuffed plush toys that are as collectible as they are cuddly. Walgreens will have exclusive 8” Bat Squishmallows this year, part of a wide range of 5-, 8- and 12-inch Halloween Squishmallows and FlipAMallows, which flip inside out to reveal a second character. “We have Halloween Sanrio-licensed Squishmallows too, with Hello Kitty and her friends dressed up as pumpkins, that should be a hit with both Hello Kitty and Squishmallows fans,” adds Meade. Shop all Squishmallows items here. 

5. Halloween, but keep it cute

“Getting into Halloween doesn’t necessarily always have to be all spooky-scary,” says Potjeau. “We want to balance our offering across all customers and their personalities, so there are plenty of cutesy options, some sophisticated items and even going into the mystical, celestial trend right now.”

Add some adorable ghosts to your hydration routine with the Pink Stainless Steel Printed Tumbler, or choose the cheerful jack-o-lanterns on the Black Stainless Steel Printed Tumbler. Classy ghost accents like a textured pillow or light-up ceramic figurine can give any room a touch of the spirit, or go a little more macabre with an Insect Taxidermy set.

6. Kick off the Halloween season with a Boo Basket

With so many festive items for the season already filling stores, why wait until late October to enjoy it all? “I've always given my young kids some little treats and toys to kick off October, in a fun way to start the season,” says Potjeau. “Sensory items like squishy toys are great, along with wearable items and anything that lights up.”

Boo Baskets can also bring a little delight as a seasonal surprise for a significant other, or make it a gift for a friend celebrating a birthday or other occasions in October. Start with the trick-or-treating bucket that best matches your recipient, build a base of their favorite Halloween candies, then top with a few eye-catching items of flair that will stick around longer than those candies.