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USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
What is Summerween? Wicked cool ways to celebrate this spooky holiday
Pastel colors and pinks are on trend for Summerween decor – Photo courtesy of Michaels Americans love Halloween. In fact, roughly 47% of people in a National Retail Federation survey admitted to buying Halloween decor well before October. It's no surprise then that Summerween is fast becoming a popular holiday. This mash-up of Halloween and summer fun has fans of All Hallows' Eve celebrating spooky season as early as June. Think skeletons holding ice cream cones and frozen daiquiris, pumpkins wearing sunglasses, and ghosts in sun hats. What is Summerween? The holiday originated from an episode (Season 1, episode 12) of Disney's animated show, 'Gravity Falls,' in which the town of Gravity Falls celebrates Halloween twice a year because residents love it so much. When is Summerween? A calendar in the Summerween episode of "Gravity Falls" showed the third week of June, so many people celebrate Summerween on June 22. However, it's also become popular to celebrate on July 31 or the last weekend in July, so truly summer is the best time to celebrate Summerween. Ways to celebrate Summerween Many retailers, like Amazon, HomeGoods, Michaels, and Walmart are jumping on the Summerween trend, making it easy to celebrate and decorate. Get as creative as you like! Here are a few fun ways to celebrate Summerween. Carve a jack-o-melon Follow the lead of residents of 'Gravity Falls' and try your hand at carving a jack-o-melon from a watermelon. At least with a watermelon, you can eat the insides as you work! Carving pineapples is another creative option. Decorate your home for Summerween Life is a beach and then you die – Photo courtesy of Amazon Amazon is a great source for Summerween swag, and HomeGoods has an entire Summerween line. You'll find skeletons in pool floats, ghosts in ice cream trucks, and more. Michaels' Sweet & Spooky Collection is geared toward Summerween, and Etsy offers even more Summerween items with fun pool accessories, prints, and decor. Advertisement Pinterest is filled with ideas for Summerween snacks and drinks. From cucumber-carved skeleton heads and mummy hot dogs to marshmallow ghosts, there's no shortage of culinary creativity for this spooky holiday. Get crafty Michaels offers some DIY Summerween craft projects. Make a floral arrangement in a cauldron with Ghoulfriends Paint Party or a beautifully spooky Halloween Dark Earthy Wreath. Rather keep it simple? Grab a Summerween coloring book like this bestseller on Amazon or this one at Walmart. You also can create your own mash-up of summer and Halloween by painting beach balls as pumpkins. Read 'Gravity Falls: Happy Summerween' to your kids Celebrate with a reading of 'Gravity Falls Happy Summerween!' – Photo courtesy of Amazon Just like you read holiday stories in December or stories about bunnies around Easter, why not celebrate with a book all about Summerween? Disney has a book version of the 'Gravity Falls' Summerween episode that you can read together. You could even read it around a campfire to add a little more spookiness. Advertisement Pick one of your favorite thrillers or fun Halloween classics to gather round and enjoy with a bucket of caramel corn. An obvious choice would be to watch the 'Gravity Falls' Summerween episode. Dress for Summerween Might as well dress the part! Walmart has a selection of Summerween t-shirts, and you'll find plenty of Summerween clothing and jewelry on Etsy. You can also DIY it: Dig out your pumpkin jewelry, witches hats, and vampire teeth and mix them with a swimsuit, sundress, or board shorts for a spook-tacular Summerween costume. Whether for teens, little ones, or adults, invite friends to come dressed in Summerween costumes, play haunting tunes, plan a Summerween craft, play games, and whip up themed treats for the ultimate party. Maybe have a game of bobbing for corn on the cob instead of apples! Attend a Summerween event Rock out at a Summerween festival – Photo courtesy of River City Company
Buzz Feed
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
'Summerween' Has Gone Viral – It's The Perfect Holiday For Sun-Haters Like Me
I'll be honest: I'm one of those insufferable people who hates summer, and (inevitably) I also love Halloween. So, what about when you combine the two? Well, Summerween – an event that began in the Disney TV show Gravity Falls – is one such example, and it's all over my social media feed right now. Surprisingly, I love it. But what is 'Summerween', and how should you celebrate it? What is Summerween? Summerween is celebrated yearly in the fictional town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, and occurs because the animated residents of the show love Halloween so much that they wanted to celebrate it twice. Legend tells of the 'Summerween Trickster', who lurks around the village on the lookout for children who don't have enough Summerween spirit. In Gravity Falls, it tends to be celebrated on June 22, however some people have begun observing the day in real life throughout the summer. What are some easy Summerween recipes? The Gravity Falls characters make 'Jack-o-melons' in place of 'Jack-o-lanterns' – replacing the pumpkin with a hollowed-out melon. Basically, the theme is Halloween decorations using seasonal fare. Some other options include white chocolate-draped strawberries, decorated like spooky masks, or ghoulish bananas with chocolate chip 'eyes'. You can replace the 'Jack-o-melon' with a pineapple or clementine, as this Redditor suggests. Cheese, with eyes and mouths cut out, looks suitably spooky on a summer BBQ burger too. What are some simple, cheap Summerween outfit ideas? Again, the idea is 'temperature appropriate, but spooky'. That might mean a short, dark dress with bat-shaped sunnies, as this creator donned for the event. But because, well, it's roasting out, black is not standard; olive green and burgundy (read: autumnal-ish) colours are popular too, though some people opt for full-on pastels. Think, essentially, 'witch or wizard on vacation' (if you don't choose to dress like the characters on the show themselves, of course). There's likely no need to buy a whole new look, unless you're really committed (which, given how fun the holiday is, I do sort of understand).
Business Insider
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Ghosts and ghouls are all over your favorite stores. It's time to embrace 'Summerween.'
Boo! You might see something spooky — spine-tingling, even — when you walk into a Home Goods or Walmart this week. And you might shriek in horror when you see ghosts and pumpkin decor on display. Summer has only just begun! How could they be stocking Halloween stuff when school barely just let out? Relax, it's Summerween! The fake shopping holiday for those who want to put out Halloween decor in July. This isn't the first Summerween, by the way — it's been around for a few years now. But it's growing: It appears to have started at the craft store Michael's, spread to T.J. Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods. And now, this week, Walmart is adding "Summer Frights" decor to its stores. In fact, rapper Princess Nokia just released a new song, " Drop Dead Gorgeous," that has a lyric: "Summerween and I wanna get my spooky on." Summerween's origins appear to trace back to the cartoon show "Gravity Falls," where in a 2012 episode, the characters carved watermelons and went trick-or-treating. But there's another element afoot: some adults (and you probably know one) just freaking love Halloween. The Wall Street Journal reports: Like those who love the holidays, Halloween superfans have become their own subculture. They use phrases like "code orange" to alert others on social media when they come across fun themed merch. Retailers are using it to get a head start on fall, spurring people to buy their decorations now—a time of year when shopping enthusiasm is typically muted. Lowe's first "Halfway to Halloween" push came in April 2024, and the retailer repeated it this year, even adding a second wave of products in June. Target released some of its more popular Halloween items, like $5 decorative birds, in May and more is planned for later in the summer. Michaels had its earliest Halloween launch ever this June. By late July, the merchandise will completely take over the front of stores, said Melissa Mills, senior vice president of merchandising. I went to check out the selections in my local T.J. Maxx, Home Goods, and Walmart. I was particularly excited to see the Walmart offerings, since this is apparently the first time it has them. But my local store didn't have anything yet. (I did notice some open shelf space in the "Seasonal" section.) Over at T.J. Maxx and Home Goods, the Summerween selections were in full effect. There were pink candles with ghosts, dish towels, magenta velvet skeletons, painted driftwood candy corns, and framed art of ghosts and Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein at the beach. Pink and purple were as prevalent as orange and black, which sets these Summerween items clearly apart from their October cousins. It was cute, not scary. For a moment, the thought crossed my mind to actually buy some of this — a fuzzy pastel candy corn caught my eye. I am not one of those Halloween enthusiasts, but I'm sure my kids would love celebrating Summerween. Halloween is one of the few non-denominational, non-political, purely fun holidays throughout the year — whynot double up on it? Is this all just an excuse to sell people more junk? Well, sure. But so what? Do you think Thanksgiving is "real," too? That Christmas isn't overly commercialized? Or that Mother's Day isn't just a racket by greeting card companies? Do you worry about the real meaning of Toyathon? Grow up. Open your eyes and your heart and embrace Summerween.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Primark shoppers divided as new items on sale 'three months early'
Some people were confused but others were willing to embrace the trend Primark fans might feel like they've gone into the future if they spot some of the latest items available in stores. Some were confused and took to social media after seeing ghosts and ghouls on shop shelves 'three months earlier than they'd expect'. As people gear up for summer holidays and the continued hot weather that's sweeping the UK, Halloween is likely the last thing on anybody's radar. But for some eager shoppers, it's never been a better time to celebrate. TikTok user Amy (@amyelizabeth__x) shared a video of some items for sale in her local Birmingham Primark. She showed off a selection of mugs and candles for sale at the discount retailer. One cup read "Basic Witch" and had an almost pearl-effect shine. There was also a candle adorned with cute cartoon ghosts that smelled like 'smoked plum and berry'. In a separate video, Amy also spotted a pumpkin-spiced latte throw blanket and another pumpkin-inspired one. More clips appeared online, like one by @weir_home, who spotted pumpkin-spiced candles and pumpkin-shaped cups in June. She wrote: "Not what I was expecting when I walked into Primark. [Not going to lie], this makes me super excited, though, as I love autumn!" One Primark branch in Clydebank (@primarkclydebank) showed off as much of the range as possible. People shared mixed reactions across the internet. One said: "Omg, there are too many cute ones to pick from. I might start Halloween early!" Another asked: "Why is Halloween on shelves three months early?" A third posted: "It's getting earlier every year - Christmas will be next!" There was a user who questioned: "Summerween??" Someone mentioned: "It's time for summerween! Primark has the goods!" And, a fifth commented: "OMG SUMMERWEEN IS BACK!" What is Summerween? Summerween is mentioned quite a bit in the comments section of videos like this, showing off spooky Halloween goodies in summer. It's a combination of the season and the holiday that's always celebrated in late October. The name was first introduced to he world in 2012 by Disney's TV Series Gravity Falls. In the fictional series, this small town community loved Halloween so much, they decided to celebrate it twice. Thanks to that show, fans started bringing the concept to life. It typically falls on June 22nd - 131 days before actual Halloween - as this is the date used in the show, but people often extend the celebration as there really are no rules. While not an official holiday, Summerween is becoming a fun, alternative way to celebrate worldwide. It's particularly popular with those who enjoy the spooky aspects of Halloween as well as the nicer weather offered in the summer months.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
My Trans Son Is One Of The Lucky Ones. But We're Still Terrified.
Editor's Note: This article contains mention of 11-year-old loves sea creatures and the animated series Gravity Falls. He loves sleepovers with friends. He loves his younger sister, most of the time. He was also born into a female body. One afternoon in fourth grade, E. demanded I take him to get a short haircut or he would chop it off himself. Sixteen inches later, I walked out of the salon with a pint-sized Justin Bieber. At dinner, E. said, 'Mama, there's something I need to tell you: I'm trans. My pronouns are he/him. And I'm changing my name.' It burst forth in a single exhale; then E. breathed for the first time in months. We live in New York, so his dad and I weren't afraid for him. At least, not too journey has been relatively smooth, thanks to supportive friends, mental health professionals, and pediatricians. Which is not to say he hasn't been bullied. Or that neighbors in our suburb haven't questioned the validity of his experience — and our parenting. Or that we haven't had to change schools to one where he's not treated like a lawsuit waiting to happen. But compared to what so many trans kids go through, these are hiccups. According to the Trevor Project, 46% of trans and nonbinary youth have seriously considered suicide in the past year and 16% made an attempt. These numbers are even higher among trans youth of color and those who live in unaccepting the 2024 election heated up, it became impossible to ignore the oddly central place that E. and kids like him occupied in the rhetoric of the Republican Party, which spent $222 million on anti-trans and -LGBTQ+ advertising — more than on housing, immigration, and the economy combined. The latest iteration of our ongoing culture war has made scapegoats — and targets — of our nation's estimated 300,000 trans youth, including my son and the children of such icons as Jamie Lee Curtis, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Charlize Theron, Marlon Wayans, and, yes, Elon Musk. It's no wonder the Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ the bullies are inside the White House. And so I am not surprised by the flurry of anti-trans executive orders issued since Inauguration Day. The first instructs federal agencies not to honor gender-marker change requests for passports, Social Security, and other programs. While this may seem superficial, it's actually life-or-death: Trans and nonbinary youth who change their legal name and gender marker are half as likely to attempt suicide. The second paints trans members of the armed forces as 'dishonorable' and deprives them of fundamental rights. The third bans gender-affirming care for those under 19, in defiance of recommendations from every leading US and international health organization — a much more obvious matter of survival. And the fourth sets the stage for criminalizing teachers and school administrators who use trans students' preferred names and correct pronouns, depriving them of a safe place to you believe E. and others like him when they say they know who they are or consider them brainwashed and delusional, recognize that both biological sex and gender exist on a spectrum or insist that girls are girls and boys are boys, celebrate the patriotism of the roughly 15,000 trans servicemembers or deride them, I hope we can agree on one thing: The federal government has no business interfering in parental decision-making. We all want what's best for our children, even if our approaches to raising and protecting them could not be more different. Part of what has made America an inspiration over the centuries has been its ability to hold so many ideologies and views at once without disintegrating. Falling into lockstep behind one administration which persecutes those with differing perspectives will harm us all, and make our nation less great. If you met E., you wouldn't think to inspect beneath his Simpsons boxers. You'd be too focused on his face, which wears a constant grin even in these dire times; his laugh, which fills our home and hearts; and his courage, which astounds us every day. If it were up to him, I'd reveal his full name here, printed with the same pride he exhibits as he walks the middle school halls decked out in the colors of the trans flag. But it's my job as his parent to protect him, and the world is far too dangerous to forego anonymity. Still, our family understands the assignment, which is why I've shared his story, if not his name. I hope this helps you see the humanity in our 11-year-old — and in all trans kids.E. is one of the lucky ones. My husband and I saw this coming and did what was within our control to safeguard him. In November, we changed his legal name and gender marker, updated his passport, amended his birth certificate, scheduled surgery to implant a longer-acting puberty blocker to avoid intense dysphoria and psychological distress — all actions which are no longer possible either nationwide or in many states. Yet we still face grave uncertainty about our son's health, safety, and future. I am buoyed by fearless leaders like the ACLU's Chase Strangio, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen of Advocates for Trans Equality, and journalist Erin Reed, who will not back down in the fight for our children; and Rep. Sarah McBride, who is breaking barriers as the first openly trans person to serve in Congress. There are so many others — activists, storytellers, parents, and allies, not to mention the young people themselves — whose courage in the face of unthinkable cruelty inspires me to reach beyond my own child to lend my voice and support to this vulnerable the same time, however, the fact that many loving neighbors, friends, and family members haven't checked to see how we, and E., are doing and ask how they can help despite this barrage of executive orders makes it clear that so few people recognize the threat is no longer abstract — it's a crisis. We are all one millimeter away from losing our most fundamental civil rights: E. and other trans youth are the canaries in the coal mine. As the granddaughter of a Jewish refugee who fled Germany in 1931, I feel unshakable echoes of the Nazi rise to power. Pastor Martin Niemöller's poem "First They Came," is cited so often it's a cliché, but his admonition has never rung truer in my lifetime. If even our natural allies forsake us, I have no doubt the president will succeed in his efforts to erase E. and others like him — which will embolden his efforts to target and punish immigrants, dissidents, and so many more. So reach out to the trans people in your life. Spread the word about the coordinated effort to eliminate them. Call your representatives. Protest with us. And, if you are in the line of fire of these executive orders as a teacher, school or hospital administrator, doctor, or mental health professional, do not concede or comply out of fear when you know what is right. If not now, when? We, and our kids, are counting on Moss (she/her) is a twice Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker—who has now turned the lens on herself. She is working on a memoir about her commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma. You can read more of Ali's writing on her substack, Like A you're also passionate about transgender rights, you can visit the GLAAD website for more information on how to get 988 in the United States to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential. Other international suicide helplines can be found at The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is you have a personal story you'd like to see published on BuzzFeed? Send us a pitch at essay-pitch@
