Growing up, fall was one of the most exciting times of year. It’s the transition into all the best holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Halloween was the time where you could dress up and be whatever your heart desired. Carving pumpkins you got from the pumpkin patch was the best. And you could go door to door getting candy from your neighbors; then afterwards, you’d binge Halloween candy until your stomach hurt as you watched scary movies. Being a little kid, there’s a certain magic associated with this time of year. Where has all that gone?
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I think it comes with age, which is a disappointing answer. When you’re young, the idea of being a teen during halloween time was the best: going to halloween parties and haunted houses, getting to dress in older or more scandalous costumes, being able to go about by yourself or with friends. But for a lot of teenagers, this isn’t reality. When you ask your friends what they’re going to be, the likely response is “I don’t know” or “I’m not dressing up”. Everyone wants to go to a party, but no one is throwing one. The haunted houses don’t pique as much interest: ‘There’s nothing to be scared of: it's just actors,’ after all. Too old to trick or treat, and most halloween events are for kids. |
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However, it’s not just teens who lack as much halloween spirit: it’s the kids too. Less and less kids are going trick or treating. Many parents don’t trust it anymore. The thoughts of tainted candy or the fear of potential kidnappings are enough to make parents keep their kids inside. Not to mention the sad truth that being outside just isn’t really that safe anymore, especially for children of color.
Truthfully, a lot of halloween festivities just aren’t as appealing anymore. Many people spend halloween indoors, rewatching the movies that bring them back to the magic, or they treat it as just any other day. Now, at least for me, the thought of being an adult on halloween piques my interest, decorating my house and spending time with loved ones. But is this just the same concept of how children view halloween as a teen. A lot of adults celebrate halloween even less than teens and children. I guess the real question isn’t about halloween itself, but the way different age groups view halloween. Or rather generational adultification, dulling out the joys that come with being a child
This doesn’t have to be fate, though: there are many ways one could still enjoy halloween. I’m a junior, and I still want to dress up and watch Tim Burton movies. Even though I’m older, I still might go trick or treating because who doesn’t like free candy? Holidays are what you make it, and no matter how you choose to celebrate halloween (even if you don’t at all), make it what you want to. Watch horror movies and make those cookies from Walmart, dress up and go out with your friends, or sleep in. Who cares?
Angel Cal
