Updated: Aug. 25, 2020
Originally Published: Oct. 22, 2014
Image via Shutterstock
The Halloween I recall was straightforward and enjoyable — just costumes and candy. The scent of those inexpensive, plastic costume masks from the drugstore is forever etched in my memory. I remember struggling to breathe through a mask that was likely loaded with who-knows-what chemicals as I rushed from house to house, clutching my plastic orange pumpkin, which lost its handle after I stuffed it with a few too many Tootsie Pops.
My mother, who wasn’t particularly crafty, attempted to make me a homemade costume one year. For some reason, she decided I would be a stunning peacock. What fourth-grade girl, a bit self-conscious and slightly plump, desires to wear a leotard covered in colorful feathers? My mom glued a staggering number of feathers to that leotard.
As the day progressed during the school parade, the feathers shed at an alarming rate, and I ended up with a plastic bag to collect them all as I molted around the school. Yet, despite the chaos, it was enjoyable. Halloween was always a blast. As a kid, costumes and candy were enough, but today, influencers like Martha Stewart and Heidi Klum dictate a whole new standard.
Halloween Then:
- Costumes: Between October 20th and 25th, your mom would ask what you wanted to be for Halloween, providing a witch hat and dress or maybe a sheet with some eyeholes or a trip to the drugstore to buy a costume.
- Candy: During that trip to the drugstore, she would pick up some candy. On Halloween, she tossed it into a big kitchen pot for trick-or-treaters.
- School Parade: When the school Halloween parade arrived, she would drop you off, relieved that teachers were managing the chaos of excited little ones in costumes.
- Pumpkins: Carving pumpkins meant a visit to the grocery store for a couple of pumpkins, a sharp kitchen knife, and some candles from the junk drawer.
- Decorating: Halloween decorations were limited to sparkly witches and skeletons from the drugstore.
- Trick-or-Treating Dinner: Mom would stop at McDonald’s for a “healthy” meal before you dove into the candy haul.
- Trick-or-Treating: If you were older than seven, she’d send you out with friends, knowing the neighbors well enough to feel secure.
- Candy Guidelines: Mom insisted on tossing any apples since urban legends warned of razors hidden inside. “Just eat the candy,” she’d say.
- Mom and Dad: Parents would pass out candy while enjoying the sight of all the costumed kids, kicking back with some wine and snack food.
- Candy Overload: Back home, siblings and you would gorge on candy from your pillowcases or plastic pumpkins.
- Photography: A few polaroids captured the memories.
Halloween Now:
- Costumes: Parents start asking kids about costumes long before Halloween, often in the spring, to ensure they can get the latest movie-inspired outfits. Pinterest boards are created early for holiday prep.
- Candy: Moms raid Target on the first day of school to snag the best candy, aiming for non-GMO treats.
- Crafting: They hit up craft stores for decorative baskets, faux leaves, and orange velvet to glam up their candy-giving vessels.
- Costume Accessories: In July, moms research and select elaborate costumes, spending significant amounts on accessories, like realistic wings or roller skates.
- Professional Makeup: After finalizing costumes, they book a face painter for Halloween night and the school parade.
- Trick-or-Treating Dinner: Planning a neighborhood potluck becomes essential, with organic chili and salads on the menu to fuel kids before trick-or-treating.
- Trick-or-Treat Totes: Moms order monogrammed, glow-in-the-dark candy bags months in advance.
- Halloween Decorations: While kids are at school, moms fill their yards with themed decorations and gourds from the nursery.
- Pumpkin Carving: Pumpkin carving is a grand event, complete with tools and a planned meal of pumpkin soup and snacks.
- School Parade: At the school Halloween social, moms bake organic treats and bring healthy snacks since candy isn’t allowed.
- Photography: All costumes are documented for social media, showcasing the full Halloween experience.
- Candy Control: Once trick-or-treating is over, mom takes possession of candy bags, allowing only one piece a day to keep sugar intake in check.
Happy Halloween!
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Summary: Halloween has evolved dramatically from the straightforward festivities of the past to a highly orchestrated event today, filled with elaborate costumes, organic treats, and themed decorations. While the spirit of fun and excitement remains, the approach to Halloween has become a blend of creativity and parenting trends, reflecting the changing times.