Random Halloween Thoughts

Random Halloween Thoughts. Well, random trick or treating thoughts really.  From my brief, but highly intensive research on Google, trick or treating as we commonly know it looks to have started in the 1930s.  People used to pass out homemade goods until the 1950s or 60s when shop keepers started promoting buying candy to hand out. 

So, I even though I find trick or treating a bit of an odd concept, to go door to door to ask relative strangers for candy, it is a fun tradition.  I also think it is cool and amazing how things “catch on”.  Some good, some bad – not referring to Halloween specifically, but in general.  Isn’t it impressive how traditions, fads, so many things can spread around the world?  I actually think the act of trick or treating in neighborhoods will be extinct in the not too far future.  There will continue to be “safer” alternatives.  I also applaud the cities that have set a specific day, like the Sunday prior or whenever, for trick or treating to take place during daylight hours.

I remember as a kid, my dad loving Halloween.  He’d go all out on costumes and decorations.  And he’d make them all.  I don’t know if I ever had a purchased costume; my mom sewed me a Smurfette bonnet once, with lots of yellow yarn.  (I should see if that still fits.)  Today’s store-bought costumes are cute and fun and the readily accessible décor is nice.  However, there is something to be said about spending lots of time planning out and creating a unique outfit to wear or yard directions to get into the spirit.  I remember my own homemade costumes better from when I was a kid, more so than I can even tell you what my own kids have dressed up as.  My favorite was my purple princess outfit, all homemade, and I even had a wand that was molded into a star and lit up.  I wore that costume a few years in row.  Good times.  Good times.  (Costumes can be tricky in Wisconsin because there is a good chance you’ll need your winter coat with it too.)

Of course, one of the highlights of trick or treating was going home and sorting it all.  Oh! what a blast!  My younger boys do the same.  Not only organize it by kind, but you must also count it, and then both bar and line graph it on chart paper.  (Ha.  Kidding.  Maybe.) 

One son even remembered the quantity he had last year and he had a new goal set number this year.   We don’t usually weigh their bags when they are done…until this year.  My oldest son went trick or treating with some buddies and they all got a ton of candy.  He actually ended up with 13 pounds of candy. That’s a 3, with a 1 in front of it. Whoa baby!

Now, I know there is mixed views on teens trick or treating.  I think my views have even changed as I am the mom versus just the outside judger of the situation.  A friend told me a few years ago, just in conversation, that she thought she’d much rather seen teens trick or treating instead of other (dumb or dangerous) activities they could be doing.  Agreed.  I appreciate the teens that put some effort into their costumes.  I had two teens that went out this year and they both got creative and spent way more time and thought on their costumes then the “climb in” and “zip or Velcro up” costumes my younger ones were in.  Also, I think a teen is still more on the side of a kid, than adult – so what’s the real rush of making them stop?

Some people think teens are too old because they acquire too much candy and are greedy, BUT here is the thing.  At each house they only get one piece or whatever that house decides to share.  My son that got 13 pounds of candy….He did that much work!  Think about it, there was no laziness or cheating involved.  He and as friends walked over 6 miles!  They put in the work.  They got the candy.  And by the way, they were tired.  Hahahaha.  They ran and carried that extra weight, so they got their workouts. 

I also know, (yes, I do know) that they were polite to people and courteous of other trick or treaters.  I will say the same for the other kids that were out and about too.  They said thank you and were respectful too.

We have way more candy in this house right now than we do the entire rest of year combined.  We will spread it out and enjoy it over time.   I hear some people throw all their kids candy away.  Which just seems so wrong.  I get not wanting them to have a lot of candy…but then don’t go trick or treating, am I right?!  Or what about,  your kids just gave all that effort, are excited, and then you throw it away.  ??  What? Why?  Seems so mean.  And all those people that spent their money on the treats to share with kids and then it ends up all in the trash.  Yah, this one doesn’t add up to me.

So, there ya have it. My take on Halloween, with a focus on trick or trick treating.  Sounds fancy, just like I have a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Family Involvement.  Isn’t that really what is all about though?  Family, friends, and fun.  And sugar.   I told you it was random thoughts.  Anything you’d like to add?