Ah, yes. Now that Halloween is over, we are in full swing of getting ready for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Isn't anyone feeling a little nostalgic that October went by quickly and that it is all over?

Many people think that Halloween is bad news and that the holiday is "dumb." Too many people to count have asked me, "Why do you like Halloween so much?" Way to not be in the spirit. (Literally.)

Well, it is not very pleasant to have to keep defending this wonderful time of year so I am writing an open letter to tell all the non-fans of Halloween, why it is so cool.

Halloween is about dressing up, being someone else for a change. The costume parties, the dresses, the ties, the scary goblins or the people dressed up as Hocus Pocus characters. All of it. It all symbolizes dressing up and pretending to not be yourself for a little while. Get away from the drama, the stresses and have fun with wacky hair and crazy costumes. Traditional style.

Halloween is about endless amounts of punch and candy. I love going to Halloween parties, drinks all around. Not only is the candy awesome for all ages but there is a sense of community. I love driving around and seeing all the people having potlucks, neighborhood parties, people with chairs in their driveways, block parties, people not knowing who is behind a mask. There are always different types of food, maybe cupcakes with worms? Ghost themed chocolates? It is like Harry Potter all the time. Give me some jumping chocolate frogs, please!

Another reason, the decorations are just so fun. We are all entitled to our opinions but how do you not love ghouls, skeletons, little monsters and witches? As long as they are fake, right? Has the person who does not like Halloween ever seen the "Nightmare Before Christmas?"

Halloween represents All Hallows Eve, now you may watch a Halloween movie that will debate this but nonetheless, Halloween has a lot of superstitions about it, but that is what makes it fun! It is traced back to have roots historically to exemplify the harvest season, the start of winter and cold, dark days where there is a "battle" between the living and the non. Originally, in ancient days people wore masks to fear off any unwanted "spirits" on the eve of Halloween.

Regardless, Halloween is about candles, candy corn, chocolate, making homemade butter beer, dimming the lights, putting up purple and orange string lights, turning on scary movies and having friends over. It is in October, the best month.

A great past time is having the kids in the neighborhood over and watching a Halloweentown marathon. My mom dancing around the room and the crisp, cool air flowing through the windows. The weather is better and the bugs go away. Pumpkins galore, the taste of Fall comes back, costume parties, scary movies, need I say more? There is a great tradition in most other holidays, and Halloween sort of has an opposite affect in being different. Carving pumpkins, headstones, haunted houses and sharing stories make for great memories that bond you close to friends. If that doesn't do it for you, go to Halloween Horror Nights, the happiest place on Earth.

Halloween forever.