While the actual holiday of Halloween stays constant, the ways in which people celebrate it is constantly changing. This a direct result of growing up. There are no more class parties or scary cookie decorating contests to participate in after you graduate middle school. There are no more spirit days to dress up for after you graduate high school. In fact, college Halloween is in its own ballpark entirely.
Growing up, Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays. I loved going trick-or-treating with my dad and eating so much chocolate that I felt ill. I loved picking out my own pumpkin at QFC and getting to carve it into the jack-o-lantern design of my choosing. I loved showing off my costume to all of my friends by wearing it to school. I loved being able to actually celebrate fall.
As a 20 year old college student, the ways in which I currently celebrate Halloween are completely different than they used to be. In addition, my actual feelings and thoughts about Halloween have also dramatically changed. No longer is Halloween a celebration of family, food and fall traditions. Instead, it just an excuse to dress up in a tiny costume and party with your friends.
This year I did not eat any Halloween candy. I did not purchase nor carve a pumpkin. I did not wear my costume to class. And I did not get to spend time with my family.
This year I did dress up as a leopard one night and as an alien the next. I did attend Halloween parties with my friends. I did have a ton of fun!
Although celebrating Halloween in college is very different than celebrating Halloween at home, it is a "good" different. I'm grateful that I was able to create amazing memories with my family during Halloween while I was growing up, but I am also grateful for the spooky memories I am creating with my friends at college.
