Ahhh, Halloween. All Hallows' Eve. All Saints' Eve. Whatever you call it, October 31 is a spooky holiday filled with candy, costumes, and all things horror. Ever since I was little, Halloween season has always been my favorite. I fondly remember crisp autumn nights where I would sneak downstairs and watch "Chucky" or "The Exorcist" with my dad while snacking on festive treats. While I do realize an obsession with horror movies isn't typical of most 7-year-olds, the majority of kids do enjoy most aspects of Halloween.
As an adult, I would still claim Halloween as my favorite holiday. It is remarkable, however, the holiday has evolved for me as I have gotten older. For those of you who love Halloween just as much as I do, here are a few comparisons of the Halloweens of your youth versus celebrating the holiday as an adult:
1. Dressing up:
As a kid
Cute, original costumes (yes, I am a character from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds").
As an adult
Sadly, all it takes is some animal ears and lingerie to be considered a costume now.
2. Trick-or-Treating:
As a kid
You were small and cute, and everyone wanted to give you candy.
As an adult
Unless you look very young for your age or can find some kids to babysit, trick-or-treating is pretty much frowned upon.
3. Parties:
As a kid
Those amazing class Halloween parties where your parents came and you made cookies and wrapped yourself in toilet paper to become mummies.
As an adult
Hot, sweaty house parties with a plethora of alcohol and interesting costumes.
4. Carving pumpkins:
As a kid
You weren't great with a knife and your Jack-o'-lanterns always ended up having some goofy face on them.
As an adult
This is serious. You're an artist and the pumpkin is your easel.
5. Eating candy:
As a kid
Candy was such a special treat, and you made a beeline for the houses you knew would be handing out the king size candy bars.
As an adult
Ahh, the beauty of adulthood. Now you can go out and buy whatever Halloween candy you want and eat as much of it as you'd like.
6. Apple orchards:
As a kid
The highlight of the orchard was riding on the tractor and not getting stung by a bee.
As an adult
Apple orchards are still great, but now you get to enjoy the yummy ciders and beers that go along with it.
7. Halloween night:
As a kid
You got to stay up super late on a school night and chow down on treats. Best. Night. Ever.
As an adult
After the initial excitement is over, you really just wanna go eat your candy in peace.
8. Kiddy Halloween movies:
As a kid
"Halloweentown"? "Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge"? "Halloweentown High"? "Hocus Pocus"?! "GOOSEBUMPS"?!
As an adultStill just as good as you remember.
9. Dressing for the weather:
As a kid
No matter how awesome your costume looked, Mom always bundled you up in coats and mittens. You might as well have been an Eskimo every year.
As an adult
You WILL wear that costume and people WILL see how good it looks no matter WHAT the temperature.
10. The day after Halloween:
As a kid
Halloween should not be allowed to be on a school night. Staying up trick-or-treating and feasting on candy is hard work.
As an adult
Maybe you stayed up late partying or watching classics like "The Wolfman" or "Pyscho." Either way, a late night and some regret.
Although it's not quite the same as it was when I was a kid, Halloween will remain my favorite holiday. The movies, the treats, the weather; everything about Halloween season is the best. Wishing all of my fellow Halloween-lovers a safe and spooky night this Monday!
