The leaves have fallen, the pumpkins are out, and the candy is purchased yet I still find myself feeling more than a little miffed at this stupid holiday. As a child I have so many fond memories of trick or treating and dressing up as all kinds of fantastical things (I don't think I ever outgrew the costume phase of life). Now as an adult though my opinion of the holiday has changed immensely.
About 8 years ago the hubby and I moved to a larger city and into a typical cookie cutter suburban neighborhood. Having lived in a country home and only receiving 3 trick or treaters the year before I did not know what to expect our first year in this new area. It wasn't horribly bad as the neighborhood was still being developed but as the years went on each Halloween got worse and worse. Our 4th year here I bought a bag of 160 pieces of candy and ran out in 2 hours. Two years ago I bought the same amount and it was gone in about an hour and 15 minutes. Now passing out candy isn't what irritates me, I love seeing the kids all dressed up and have no problems sharing with children however I can not get over the fact that so many teenagers and ADULTS were trick or treating! I would bet at least half of the candy I had went to people over the age of 15. One trick or treater in particular was a full grown woman, probably close to my age, no costume or anything just walking around house to house with a grocery bag. Please note she also did not have a child with her. My thought process was "you have got to be kidding me!!!!" I suppose it's a poor social commentary on our society when people who are very capable of buying their own bag of candy choose instead to mooch off of others, entitled much? This hasn't been an isolated occurrence either, each year I have at least one, if not more, of these fine specimens come to my door. What in a person's mind makes them believe that this is okay? Dressing up, I get that it's fun and entertaining but running around begging for free candy at someones door? Unacceptable. Put on your big kid underwear and realize that there is a limitation to this behavior and you crossed that line about 20+ years ago.
Now I know a lot of you are saying "but you have a child and want people to pass out candy to her". You're right, I have a daughter and yes she has a costume but she'll trick or treat at grandma's & an aunts house and that'll be it! At this age she'll never know the difference. As she gets older though I will teach her that the holiday is about fun not getting as much free stuff as we can or seeing how full you can fill a pillowcase with candy. We need to learn to enjoy Halloween for what it is and learn that when you're too old you need to stop. I will not allow my daughter to be trick or treating when she is 13+ years old, there is a limit.
This year I'm taking a stand, no more candy. I mean it! I am not spending money on candy just to pass it out to a bunch of adults who don't get that this is a child's holiday or if you choose to celebrate go to an adult party. I will pass out candy to CHILDREN who I know and aren't just out to glutton themselves on free candy!!! Call me the Scrooge of Halloween but I'm over it. Bah-humbug!
