With Halloween happening this Sunday, I’ve overheard some discussions about “Trick-or-Treat” etiquette lately.
Naturally, those discussions also make me nostalgic and able to reminisce about my Halloween candy-hunting memories.
From homemade costumes and store-bought ones to helping decorate and even handing out candy – I think I’ve had some of the best remembrances out of 30-odd years’ worth of celebrations.
Armed with my own experiences and love for the holiday, I’ve heard some say that any child over the age of eight years old is too old to trick-or-treat.
That just boggles my mind since I dressed up and dragged my college friends with me to hunt for candy and occasionally scare parents and children.
I was a zombie – the full ensemble came with plenty of built-in amusement.
Especially when I sat in the dorm elevator and pretended to be asleep before scaring plenty of people.
When we went trick-or-treating we were better received by homeowners than other university kids that were partying.
I also got similar responses when I used to dress up and take my siblings around the neighborhood, too.
And honestly, since bars and such have never been one of my preferred places to socialize, then, why not just show off my costume trick-or-treating?
I’ll definitely be happier with a candy bar than some dubious alcoholic beverage.
Plus, I’ve always been of the mind that if a teenager or adult makes effort with a costume, then a piece or two of free candy isn’t much of a hassle.
Especially if said candy brightens that person’s night!
Not to mention, if a teenager is out trick-or-treating, it’s always preferable to the chance they could be at an unsupervised party or getting into mischief.
But, it seems like plenty of adults are getting the spooky version of Scrooge-like tendencies.
Historically speaking, trick-or-treating didn’t become an established tradition until the 1930s.
Before that, it was hit or miss.
I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings when trunk or treats started to become more mainstream and had to correct myself when I had a certain thought.
It went something along the lines of: back in my day we walked neighborhoods to get as much candy as possible or until our feet hurt and it got to be too late at night.
That’s when I realized how salty I’d gotten and made a mental re-evaluation – free candy is free candy and if it’s safer for most kids, then I’m down with it.
I still find it a little too easy since the whole point was to work for candy during my childhood, but, I’m slowly being won over.
My best memories came from visiting my closest neighbors as a kid and getting bonuses and sometimes handmade treats or the chance to pick out the candy I wanted from the bowl instead of just getting a random handful.
Those were always the most special memories and there are a few photos to prove it since mom tried to get at least one sibling group photo every year.
Now we live acres away from people and I can just get candy on sale November 1 instead of walking or working for it.
I still try to indulge and wear a costume when I’m snapping shots at local events or visiting my friends’ houses.
I’ve also been known to lend a hand and join them to help take their kids trick-or-treating.
