October is already over halfway through (I know, I’m cringing too), and I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with tons of other college students who share an appreciation for Halloween in the time that has passed. Although I will admit that my love for all things Halloween is a bit over the top sometimes, it makes me extremely excited to be back in an environment where Halloween is adored and celebrated. After my high school experience, I never thought that I’d have the chance to fully embrace Halloween traditions again.
In my experience, beginning in middle school, tweens and teens alike deem themselves “too old” to go trick-or-treating or celebrate Halloween. I, however, have gone trick-or-treating all 18 years of my life and have held multiple Halloween parties from kindergarten to senior year. While many teenagers in my life saw dressing up and going door to door as childish and silly, I saw it as an opportunity to express myself and have fun. Now I’m not trying to say that everyone’s favorite holiday should be Halloween, or that everyone should decorate their rooms, or that everyone should get excited leading up to the 31st. But in my opinion, Halloween seems to get completely overlooked and receives a lot of unnecessary hate. I want to show those that are questioning their love for Halloween that it’s okay to embrace it, no matter their age. That being said, there are a few reasons why I have trouble understanding why older kids hate Halloween. One, who doesn’t want free candy? Two, who doesn’t want to dress up and pretend to be someone they’re not? Three, who doesn’t want to experience childhood innocence again?
Starting with the free candy, I mean, anything that’s free and involves food usually has a huge appeal with the teen/young adult crowd. But maybe you’re not a big fan of candy, or the reward doesn’t seem like it’s enough for the effort that goes into it. However, I find it hard to believe that all teens lack creativity and the desire to transform themselves. I saw dressing up for Halloween as I got older as an opportunity to put my own creativity and talents to the test. I wanted intricate, detailed costumes that exactly matched the visions in my head. I wanted to go shopping, do my own sewing, and watch my costume come together right before my eyes. I wanted to show off my makeup skills and bring imagined looks to life. It’s very rewarding to get compliments on your costumes and to see people appreciating the effort that was put into them. It’s also very relaxing to completely transform yourself, to portray a character regardless of your acting skills. Many people are unhappy with at least one part of themselves or their lives, and Halloween provides an escape to forget about your worries and recreate yourself. As if this wasn’t appealing enough, there also is a childlike innocence associated with trick or treating. Although my whole idea is that Halloween is for everyone, not just little kids, the concept of walking around and getting candy in exchange for dressing up on Halloween is fun and harmless. I hear people, including myself, complain about growing up or talking about how they wish they could go back to being kids. Trick or treating is the perfect opportunity to take part in pure, wholesome fun.
Despite the appeal that I see in trick-or-treating, I do understand the fear of going trick-or-treating when you’re older. I have had many adults ask me, “Aren’t you a little old to be trick or treating?” or deny me candy because it’s “for the kids.” However, the few adults that want to rain on everyone’s parade shouldn’t deter you from taking part in the festivities. The more that older kids and young adults show up to trick or treating, the more normalized it will become, and the less off-putting it will be for future generations of Halloween lovers.
Most of this article has been about trick-or-treating specifically, but (except for the free candy part) the reasoning also applies to Halloween parties, haunted houses, carving pumpkins, etc. Halloween is a time to discover the creativity you house inside of you, to let loose and have a good time. Some of my favorite memories have come from Halloween parties where I’d have photoshoots and play goofy games with my friends. When I look back at pictures of me in my costumes before trick-or-treating, I am proud of the work I put into them and the end results. Looking around my room at the purple and orange lights among other Halloween decorations, I feel comforted and content. My family has the most fun together when we are sitting around the kitchen table carving pumpkins. I used to hesitate before announcing that Halloween was my favorite holiday, but since arriving at college, I find it’s a much more common answer. I hope that the gap between elementary school and college diminishes until people of all ages feel comfortable loving and celebrating Halloween.
If you’re feeling inspired and would like to get in the spooky spirit, consider participating in the Her Campus door decorating contest! From now until October 31st at midnight, decorate your door in Halloween or fall fashion, take a photo of it, post it on social media, and tag Mount Holyoke Her Campus. You will be entered in a raffle as well as considered for the grand prize when the Her Campus team votes on the best door!
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