I love Halloween. I always have. But I’m at a time in my life where I get to decide how to celebrate it differently.

There are no tiny ghouls or goblins in my orbit now. I’m allergic or sensitive to almost everything. I’m easily exhausted. And I’m easily disappointed when plans fall through… even when I’m the one who cancels. Actually, especially when I am the one who cancels.

My plan for years has been watch a horror movie and wait for trick-or-treaters Let me tell you, there’s nothing sadder than a middle-aged hippie goth witch waiting by the door with a cauldron of full-sized candy bars, ready to tell every kid, teen, and tiny dog how splendid they look, and only getting two trick-or-treaters. So no to more of that.

I needed to find a new way to luxuriate in what has historically been my favorite day of the year.

Then on Tuesday, something happened. I actually bothered to check my email. Waiting for me was an email from one of my favorite local business marvels: Charcuterie Me. Nai always seems to conjure exactly what I need, exactly when I need it, and this time it’s Spooky Charcuterie.

It’s spooky. It’s delicious. It’s Halloween dinner handled without me having to do anything except open the door when it’s delivered. And it started to shape the day for me.

I thought about Nai’s spectral snack board and wondered what other Portland baddies were giving a little extra love to the best holiday of them all.

Which immediately made me think of Mikiko Mochi and their otherworldly Halloween donuts, some scary, some spooky, some darling. All sweet and gluten-free. But not gluten-free in that tragic, subtractive sort of way. Mochi is their natural state of being. So gluten lovers, don’t be afraid. The monsters approve.

Still, I wanted more. I needed… dessert. Something monstrous. Something bloody and brilliant. Like vegan zombie brains.

And then, of course, Ice Queen came through with just such a delicacy. You can bet we’re grabbing some to make the day special.

That’s when it hit me. I don’t need little gremlins or goblins or witches to make my Halloween magic. I need Portland.

So this year, I’m seeking the best of what our amazing local makers have to offer in Halloween specialty.

Check out the folks I mentioned above:

• Charcuterie Me spooky boards are on pre-order (and limited).
• Ice Queen has those delicious vegan zombie brains again this year.
• Mikiko Mochi will keep conjuring spooky specials through the end of the month.

But this is Portland. There has to be more.

What am I missing? What locally owned Portland places have you seen with magical Halloween treats, edible, artistic, or otherwise? Tell me. I want to trick-or-treat Portland! Drop them in the comments! Local-owned businesses only!

Treats only.