I never stopped trick-or-treating. I’ve missed a year or two, but I generally get out to the streets of a suburb to knock on strangers’ doors. In the process, I’ve received surprisingly few judgemental faces, an immense amount of candy and even more fun.
My peers have often tried to tell me they were too old to trick-or-treat. By the end of elementary school, some felt too cool to go out. In middle school, I had to beg and drag my friends out. By high school, few were interested. Many expressed fears of seeming uncool, or even creepy. Some feared the judgment of community members, and others just thought it no longer sounded like fun.
In my experience, however, the most common response is “good for you.” It does not matter how old you are; if you partake in the tradition in a respectful way, it is an amazingly positive experience, and I think it is silly not to do something out of the fear of seeming silly.
Last year, I went trick-or-treating in Madison with a couple of friends and some peers I didn’t know. We walked up and down driveways and took turns ringing the doorbells. Our bags grew heavier and our hands grew colder.
We had a spectacular time getting excited about each house. It is especially fun if you have equally enthusiastic friends. At the same time, walking provided the perfect environment for talking to and getting to know new people. The activity is great whether you go with one friend or a group you don’t know very well.
Comparing costumes is another source of fun. And for those worried about finding a costume, there is so much you can do with some glue and a little bit of craft supplies. You don’t need to buy anything new; often I use clothing from my closet and construct the final touches with cardboard, construction paper, pipe cleaners, buttons and other miscellaneous items.
Madison is too great of a trick-or-treating area to pass up. If you walk through the Glenwild Gate, you can get straight to knocking on doors. There aren’t too many cars on the side streets, and a lot of houses are spookily decorated. There are plenty of people who will answer their doors and shove a handful of candy into your bucket. Seeing as Madison is home to three colleges, many residents even expect to see some college students out.
It is thrilling to pass other groups of students. The more students who trick or treat, the more fun it is.
Trick-or-treating is such a fun cultural tradition. If you have never trick-or-treated, you absolutely should not miss out on this experience. If you have stopped over the years, consider starting again this year.
I can’t think of a better way to spend a Thursday evening. If you do not already have plans for Halloween, you should absolutely put trick-or-treating on your calendars, and invite your friends.
Katie Carmichael is a senior majoring in English with a creative writing concentration and minoring in teaching.
