For the children November 1, 2009

When I was a kid Halloween was a holiday just for kids, actually pretty much the ONLY holiday just for kids.  It was acceptable for adults to dress up to take the kids trick or treating, but nothing too complex (my dad used the same costume to go with us every year).  And maybe one or two houses on each street were decorated, a little bit, just for the one day.

Now that I’m an adult I fend off many questions of what I’m dressing up a (guy handing out candy this year, again) and turn down a number of party invites.  While I commend the female adult costumes as much as any other red blooded american male I can’t help but think this maturing of Halloween is a sad thing.

I remember hating how my dad could carve a jack-o-lantern so much faster and better than I could.  I mean, I was like ten so I had an excuse, but my point is that there was this feeling of “How dare he!  Doesn’t he know Halloween is for KIDS, just kids?”

I guess part of my problem could be my distaste for talking with anyone when I can’t see their face, such as over the phone, or if they have a mask or mickey mouse head on.  But I think even more than that I have a bit of a problem with the recent trends in halloween celebrations because I feel like my generation is being greedy and stealing from the children.  And after all, if we take halloween what do kids really have left that is just their own?

I think they deserve more than just Trix, you silly rabbits!