By Deedee El bego
Ever wondered how Halloween has become what it is today? Why do we make sure to load up bowls of candy for trick or treaters? It starts off with scary stories being told for years from all different cultures and times. The Vampires of Transylvania, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and all of the stories from the brothers Grimm. They have given children an opportunity to gaze into a different world and imagine living amongst scary creatures or magical witches without any real fear. Similarly, Halloween is the one time a year they can dress up and be excited to get scared as well as scare others. Fear isn’t something most people look forward to but as a child it can be thrilling if they know it’s expected on this day, especially if they have a fun activity planned.
In a journal article by Jack Santino for Western Folklore, titled “Halloween in America: Contemporary Customs and Performances”, he describes Halloween traditions: “The obtaining of the pumpkin is not unlike the getting of a Christmas tree, which in turn is decorated to render it more than simply a tree. In both cases an object is brought into a man-made environment and culturally transformed … .what it represents is important,” (Santino, p.16, 1983). He suggests here that when we have traditions in our household we are keeping the holiday alive. These physical components also help in maintaining the aesthetic of the holiday. We recognize them at restaurants, schools, workplaces, and more. Interestingly this article by Santino was written in 1983, yet it seems so accurate to how Halloween is celebrated and described today. He also highlights in his writing that Halloween is very much associated with consumerism. This is referring to the businesses that capitalize on Halloween such as candy companies or costume manufacturers.
All in all there’s multiple factors that come into play when discussing how Halloween is celebrated. Yet every year it’s pretty recognizable on October 31st what day it might be. No matter if it’s 1983 or 2024 the decorations are going to be pretty similar looking, and the traditions are relatively the same. While the neighborhood pranks might have gone down since then, dressing in your favorite character hasn’t. The holiday will always encourage us to go out with friends, watch scary movies and go to haunted houses. It provides us with spaces where we can be comfortable experiencing fear, or we use it for our entertainment. The activities of Halloween can also provide children with opportunities of peer development, and boost cognitive functioning. They get to dress up, hang out with friends, and practice social skills. For many reasons the day can be memorable for anyone who celebrates it. Whether they’re young or old, everyone can have a good time.
So whether you’re passing out candy, decorating your classroom, or decorating your house with pumpkins and skeletons you’re making the holiday more memorable for everyone. What makes this day a special treat is that so many people participate in making it so enjoyable. I’m sure most people can remember a special Halloween when they came home with more candy than they could ever eat. Or celebrating it with a best friend who they went trick or treating with. But no matter how old you get you’re never too old to dress up, or scare people when they least expect it. Happy Halloween!
