Since I was negative, I'll post my favorite Halloween standing my ground story:
In Oct. 1995, I was 10. The Braves won the World Series on Oct. 28 so for Halloween, I decided to go as "Braves fan," wearing my hat, jersey (still fits!) and World Series Champions shirt. My homeroom teacher even said we could wear hats if it was part of our costume.
Cut to Halloween and Mrs. Pregiato told me to remove my hat. I said it was part of my costume. She said "Braves fan" was not a costume, since I wore Braves stuff everyday. (True!) A Mexican standoff ensued and I said what does it matter, this is what I'm going as today, this is how I chose to dress up, why are you treating me differently?
Mrs. Pregiato, already praying for summer after only having me for two months, backed down and let me wear my Braves hat. I proceeded to wear Braves stuff for the next month and I could feel the hate in her eyes.
Chris, thank you, a nice tribute to Halloween. As a young child, I loved it but by age 10/11, I started hating it. I stopped going out and figured it all wasn’t as cracked up as I thought. I hated dressing up by that point, thought it was all just plain dumb. Became a parent and it was so much fun and I got into it all over again. As a young child, my son loved it and we had a great neighborhood. A bunch of parents took the kids around as a group. A few years we had 10-15 kids, usually moms out with the kids and dads home giving out candy at their own house. Dads may have joined for a little bit. My son then turned 11/12 and he wasn’t thrilled with dressing up. He would be a baseball player or hockey player, just putting on his gear that he had and call it a day. He stopped going out until he hit high school and a group of boys with go to neighborhoods that gave out “full size” candy bars. My son was still just going out as a baseball player or something. Then after a couple of h years of that, gave up on it all together. Now, we are expecting our first grandchild and I can already feel that fun aspect of Halloween. As far as what we are doing, late afternoon going to a neighbors house and having a pot luck on their driveway. There will be about 15 of us, we all bring our candy and give it out as a group, while eating and talking. We did it last year and it was fun. We don’t have a lot of kids in our neighborhood.
We loved Halloween in our old town where there were literally 100s of small children walking with their parents (who all had a cocktail as they stood on the road and waited). It was wonderful and communal and fun! We retired and moved and now don't have more than maybe 5 a year but I still remember how neat it was and how every child deserves to have that special fun outing as someone else. Great story Chris, continue to enjoy!!! Happy Halloween!
As a kid in mid-20th century, we rushed home from school and had our first pass in late afternoon. After homework and dinner, we changed costumes and went out again for more sugar. NO PARENTS INVOLVED.
It's now ridiculous. We have whole families come to the door for candy.
Someone ripped us on one of those neighbor Apps because my wife refused to give candy to a high school senior showing up at the door with his parents and younger siblings...we did give candy to the youngins.
Unfortunately that boat sailed long ago. Parents are now involved in every part of a childs life...and we wonder why our kids are not as resourceful or resilient as we would like. But Halloween is still great.
There was an interesting story in WAPO by a writer (40-something) whose parents allowed him a 4 square block radius to "play" with a variety of friends
My parent grew up in Manhattan (near Central Park) never playing organized sports so they rarely came to my football games and never to my track meets.
I had no pressure, other than via my coaches. And that was fine.
Albeit, they did decorate the "TV room" with my trophies and medals.
I’m a thanksgiving person ... bring the carbs!! That said, a mini Twix brings me joy! Also, Christmas caroling is a way to bring community to the holiday!
Trunk or Treat used to be what the Protestant churches did to combat Halloween, but now all of our elementary schools have started hosting these as a school function. Being a Wiccan, I always have Halloween decor, so we participated at my granddaughter's school last week. Seriously good fun! I had no idea that 35,000 kids went to that little school, but I just kept throwing out the candy. LOL
My granddaughter and twin step-granddaughters are five. They need to have some innocent fun and let me worry about the state of the world.
I go drink coffee every morning and read the news! It gets me out of the house! I noticed recently that the workers have come to know me and expect me. Their smiles are warmer and now they make small niceties. This is what is missing in today society.
Yes Yes Yes. All the things you said. Can only add that grandkids reinvigorate the entire process yet again. You may be too far away to go out with them but the pictures and videos back are priceless and if they happen to be close enough for a stop over --truly magical.
I agree 100% with you. My daughter is 4 and is just starting to get into Halloween. Especially since she started pre-k in September she was super excited to do her first Halloween parade, go to her classmate's houses to trick or treat, and see all the kids going from house to house. She's not into candy much but getting things does give her a thrill and make her feel important. It's such a joy to see things through her eyes. We're leaving for Disney on the 4th for her first trip and I CAN'T wait, I loved it as a child and I'm more excited than I have ever been to go and see her experience.
Is it cool to give money instead of candy? As a kid I preferred the coins, but now I think I’m not in the spirit when I don’t have candy. The problem is that only a few kids come and when I had candy I ended up eating it and that really wasn’t as enjoyable as it was as a child. So tonight I’m giving cash. (No you can’t have my address).
Since I was negative, I'll post my favorite Halloween standing my ground story:
In Oct. 1995, I was 10. The Braves won the World Series on Oct. 28 so for Halloween, I decided to go as "Braves fan," wearing my hat, jersey (still fits!) and World Series Champions shirt. My homeroom teacher even said we could wear hats if it was part of our costume.
Cut to Halloween and Mrs. Pregiato told me to remove my hat. I said it was part of my costume. She said "Braves fan" was not a costume, since I wore Braves stuff everyday. (True!) A Mexican standoff ensued and I said what does it matter, this is what I'm going as today, this is how I chose to dress up, why are you treating me differently?
Mrs. Pregiato, already praying for summer after only having me for two months, backed down and let me wear my Braves hat. I proceeded to wear Braves stuff for the next month and I could feel the hate in her eyes.
Chris, thank you, a nice tribute to Halloween. As a young child, I loved it but by age 10/11, I started hating it. I stopped going out and figured it all wasn’t as cracked up as I thought. I hated dressing up by that point, thought it was all just plain dumb. Became a parent and it was so much fun and I got into it all over again. As a young child, my son loved it and we had a great neighborhood. A bunch of parents took the kids around as a group. A few years we had 10-15 kids, usually moms out with the kids and dads home giving out candy at their own house. Dads may have joined for a little bit. My son then turned 11/12 and he wasn’t thrilled with dressing up. He would be a baseball player or hockey player, just putting on his gear that he had and call it a day. He stopped going out until he hit high school and a group of boys with go to neighborhoods that gave out “full size” candy bars. My son was still just going out as a baseball player or something. Then after a couple of h years of that, gave up on it all together. Now, we are expecting our first grandchild and I can already feel that fun aspect of Halloween. As far as what we are doing, late afternoon going to a neighbors house and having a pot luck on their driveway. There will be about 15 of us, we all bring our candy and give it out as a group, while eating and talking. We did it last year and it was fun. We don’t have a lot of kids in our neighborhood.
No matter your age, always have laughter and fun and silliness in your life!
Disagree -- Thanksgiving is the best holiday because:
1. It's about us reflecting on those aspects of life for which we need to be thankful
2. No presents = no expectations --- except for a good meal and a good football game.
We loved Halloween in our old town where there were literally 100s of small children walking with their parents (who all had a cocktail as they stood on the road and waited). It was wonderful and communal and fun! We retired and moved and now don't have more than maybe 5 a year but I still remember how neat it was and how every child deserves to have that special fun outing as someone else. Great story Chris, continue to enjoy!!! Happy Halloween!
When did Halloween become a "family" event???
As a kid in mid-20th century, we rushed home from school and had our first pass in late afternoon. After homework and dinner, we changed costumes and went out again for more sugar. NO PARENTS INVOLVED.
It's now ridiculous. We have whole families come to the door for candy.
Someone ripped us on one of those neighbor Apps because my wife refused to give candy to a high school senior showing up at the door with his parents and younger siblings...we did give candy to the youngins.
Unfortunately that boat sailed long ago. Parents are now involved in every part of a childs life...and we wonder why our kids are not as resourceful or resilient as we would like. But Halloween is still great.
There was an interesting story in WAPO by a writer (40-something) whose parents allowed him a 4 square block radius to "play" with a variety of friends
My parent grew up in Manhattan (near Central Park) never playing organized sports so they rarely came to my football games and never to my track meets.
I had no pressure, other than via my coaches. And that was fine.
Albeit, they did decorate the "TV room" with my trophies and medals.
Halloween is a holiday for children that has been hijacked by adults with Peter Pan complexes.
Plus, you don't even get a day off for it, so what's the point?
Sorry, I'm a Halloween grinch.
YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!
Not a grinch, but a portrayer of the reality of what Halloween has become.
I’m a thanksgiving person ... bring the carbs!! That said, a mini Twix brings me joy! Also, Christmas caroling is a way to bring community to the holiday!
Trunk or Treat used to be what the Protestant churches did to combat Halloween, but now all of our elementary schools have started hosting these as a school function. Being a Wiccan, I always have Halloween decor, so we participated at my granddaughter's school last week. Seriously good fun! I had no idea that 35,000 kids went to that little school, but I just kept throwing out the candy. LOL
My granddaughter and twin step-granddaughters are five. They need to have some innocent fun and let me worry about the state of the world.
When I'm not handing out candy. :)
Fantastic, Chris. I love your posts, every time.
A very sweet - no pun intended- article.
I go drink coffee every morning and read the news! It gets me out of the house! I noticed recently that the workers have come to know me and expect me. Their smiles are warmer and now they make small niceties. This is what is missing in today society.
Yes Yes Yes. All the things you said. Can only add that grandkids reinvigorate the entire process yet again. You may be too far away to go out with them but the pictures and videos back are priceless and if they happen to be close enough for a stop over --truly magical.
I agree 100% with you. My daughter is 4 and is just starting to get into Halloween. Especially since she started pre-k in September she was super excited to do her first Halloween parade, go to her classmate's houses to trick or treat, and see all the kids going from house to house. She's not into candy much but getting things does give her a thrill and make her feel important. It's such a joy to see things through her eyes. We're leaving for Disney on the 4th for her first trip and I CAN'T wait, I loved it as a child and I'm more excited than I have ever been to go and see her experience.
Chris, i didn't expect to be touched by reflection on Hallowe'en but i was. Thank you so muchbfor your stories and your insights!
Is it cool to give money instead of candy? As a kid I preferred the coins, but now I think I’m not in the spirit when I don’t have candy. The problem is that only a few kids come and when I had candy I ended up eating it and that really wasn’t as enjoyable as it was as a child. So tonight I’m giving cash. (No you can’t have my address).
Trick or drink! Yes! Definitely a wonderful community evening.