Hollow Ridge Life

Welcome to Thanksgiving, that special time of year when families come together in giving thanks, eating themselves silly, and apparently dealing with the lingering paranormal entities haunting your new home. You see, dear resident of Hollow Ridge, you didn’t just buy a house; you secured the keys to an actual demon-possessed property within one of the most sinister yet mysteriously affordable neighborhoods in town.

Here’s how to pull off Thanksgiving in your new haunted abode without losing your head – or anyone else’s, for that matter.

Step 1: Embrace the Ambiance of Hollow Ridge

The weather is brisk, the leaves are crunchy, and the air smells faintly of sulfur and candle wax—at least in your backyard. Your neighbors swear they hear chanting at night, and it’s likely your house has been the site of several “unfortunate accidents” over the last hundred years. But hey, this is just part of the charm! Thanksgiving will be far more memorable when Aunt Margaret is already clutching her rosary beads before she even hits the driveway.

Lean into it! Set the mood with eerie ambient lighting, maybe a few fake spider webs (or, let’s be real, they’re probably real webs), and whatever’s left of last Halloween’s decor. Sure, it’s a little spooky, but think of it as… rustic.

Step 2: Manage the Unique Guest List

Since moving in, your demonic tenants have been pretty vocal. Mr. and Mrs. Banfield, the restless spirits in your attic, aren’t keen on new owners. And don’t forget Eli, the invisible child who roams the halls at 3 a.m., playing with his antique toy collection. It’s important to let your guests know that they’ll be sharing Thanksgiving with these otherworldly “long-term residents.”

A few ways to ease guests in:

Mention the quirks in your invitation: “Come for the turkey, stay for the poltergeist activity!”
Encourage overnight guests to bring earplugs (and possibly sage).
Keep Grandma prepared with a backup pair of glasses. If she starts seeing odd shapes or faces in mirrors, you don’t want her accidentally throwing holy water at Uncle Jerry.

Step 3: Planning Your Thanksgiving Menu (Avoiding Sinister Overtones)

One of the perks of hosting Thanksgiving in a haunted house is the freedom to get creative. Sure, you could do the traditional turkey and cranberry sauce, but why not try a spread inspired by the sinister vibes of Hollow Ridge? Here are a few ideas:

“Ectoplasmic” Gravy – It’s regular gravy but with a little extra flour so it has a mysteriously thick, oozy texture. Guests will love it—or at least, they’ll be too afraid to complain.

“Ghastly” Green Bean Casserole – Top it with fried onions shaped like pentagrams. Festive and ominous!

Pumpkin “Possession” Pie – This one’s just regular pumpkin pie but presented with candles and a light drizzle of chocolate pentagrams. Trust me, it’ll be a hit.

Of course, you can’t forget the Demonic Chocolate Fudge Pie in the previous post!

Be mindful, though: the kitchen may not be entirely under your control. Occasionally, the oven will scream at you (totally normal!), and the refrigerator door may swing open randomly. That’s just the demons’ way of offering culinary input. Kindly remind them that Thanksgiving is your show and they’re welcome to haunt the leftovers, not the entree.

Step 4: Decor that Won’t Awaken… Well, You Know

A successful Thanksgiving party needs decor that screams “wholesome” without causing the demons to scream back. Try this:

Fall Florals with a Side of Sage: Fill vases full of festive fall flowers and then tuck a few sticks of sage in between. It’s seasonal, and also considered to be somewhat of a DIY exorcism! Bonus points if you put sage in places that are hot spots of activity, like the creepy basement or the inexplicably cold hallway.

Pale Candles for Dim Corners: While traditional Thanksgiving might use bright, warm lights, you’ll want to keep the lighting dim and muted. This not only makes the place cozier but also decreases the likelihood of spotting translucent figures wandering around. Plus, the flickering candlelight gives your haunted manor that vintage seance vibe.

Antique Dishes Only: The Banfields will appreciate your attention to authenticity. (Word of warning: if you hear ghostly laughter when you place the gravy boat, do NOT look behind you. Just keep spooning that ectoplasmic gravy and hope for the best.)

Step 5: Seating Arrangements (Demons Included)

Seating in your haunted house will take a bit of creativity. Here’s how to handle it like a pro:

The “Ectoplasmic” Kids’ Table: Set up a side table in the kitchen, where ghostly footsteps seem to be a regular feature. Kids love a good scare, and a little whispering from the beyond might even keep them quieter than usual.

The “Phantom Plus One”: You may find there’s an empty seat with a chill that never quite fades. That’s probably Eli’s favorite chair. Just put a little name card that says “Reserved” and leave it alone—trust me.

Avoid the Cellar: Grandpa Jim might think it’s a good place to store the wine, but trust me, the cellar is an all-access portal. Best to lock the door, maybe nail it shut, and tell everyone the wine ran out. Grandpa Jim will understand when he hears the low growling sounds down there.

Step 6: Activities & Entertainment (Without Summoning Anything)

It’s important to plan activities for your guests that won’t accidentally summon anything from the underworld. Charades? Great idea. Ouija? Not so much. Here are a few options that feel festive without pushing your luck:

Pumpkin Painting (Not Carving) – Hollow Ridge folklore has it that carved pumpkins act as beacons for spirits. Stick to painting pumpkins to avoid accidentally creating an unholy lighthouse for wandering souls.

Turkey Trivia – Engage your guests with some light-hearted trivia! Make sure to avoid questions that could be misinterpreted by your ghostly friends, like “What year did Thanksgiving become a holiday?” (Some ghosts are still really bitter about the whole colonialism thing).

“Pin the Tail on the Demon” – Okay, this one’s mostly a gag for the kids. Just a fun poster of a cartoon demon with a fake tail to pin. Your demonic tenants hopefully won’t take offense, but it’s far safer than any seance-style games.

Step 7: Navigating the Night

As the evening wraps up, the spirits might get restless—just like Uncle Bob after his fourth slice of pie. Your ghostly residents will start making themselves a bit more… obvious. Here’s how to handle the midnight hauntings:

Set a Curfew: Encourage family to leave by midnight, or offer blankets for those who dare stay. The witching hour is infamous in Hollow Ridge, and anyone still around may have to endure “the whispers.”

The Midnight Snack Sacrifice: If you hear sounds of clinking dishes and faint voices in the kitchen around midnight, it’s probably best not to investigate. The Banfields like to “sample” the leftovers. Just leave some pie on the counter, maybe label it “For Our Friendly Spirits,” and don’t check the kitchen until morning.

Earplugs for Guests Staying Over: It’s likely there will be thumps, muttering, and possibly some phantom footsteps around 3 a.m. Let everyone know this is just part of the local ambiance, and offer earplugs with their blankets.

Wrapping It Up: Saying Goodbye (to Both Guests and Ghosts)

The secret to a perfect Thanksgiving in Hollow Ridge is to acknowledge the demons but not invite them to stay for dessert. A quick round of applause and a jolly “Thanks for letting us stay, Banfields! ” should suffice to keep the peace as you clean up the dishes. And don’t forget to leave a little plate of leftovers out on the back porch-for any watching spirits. It’s small, but it may be just the thing that keeps the screaming at a minimum- relatively – at least until next Thanksgiving.

And that’s it! With these tips, you’ll be sure to throw a Thanksgiving gathering your family—and your hauntingly curious evil residents—won’t soon forget. Happy Thanksgiving, Hollow Ridge!