Halloween - Now and Then

     Halloween has become a big deal, many people call it their favorite holiday.   Kids had always celebrated it but now it seems to have been adopted by parents and animals, as well.  My daughter, (Maureen) loves to decorate for Halloween plus dress for the costumed office parties, why not, it's fun.  Parents were always the driving force behind the costumes for kids but in the 50's/60's costumes were simple like a ghost, bum or cowboy or a something princess like for girls.  I can remember being a bum on a number of Halloweens.  I don't recall seeing too many elaborate costumes and home decorations were usually a lighted pumpkin, tombstone, skeleton or ghost.  The most elaborate costume I had was a scarecrow, which had a board running from one arm to the other so my arms stuck straight out.  I had my arms in my shirt holding the goody bag.  That costume really fooled people at first, wondering how I could hold my arms up so long.

     Today the costumes and home decorations are quite elaborate with inflatable monsters decorating the lawn.  Most houses are kept well lit so the little ones don't get scared.  When I grew up the houses all seemed dark with only the porch light lit.  It was Halloween, it's supposed to be scary.  I don't remember toddlers trick or treating, maybe there were a few parents that took them out, I just don't recall that, my mind was blurred by my goal to collect candy.  There was no "Trunk or Treat" like there is today so the only way to get candy was door to door.


     There would be parents (usually Dad's) out in the streets monitoring the smaller kids, really visiting with the other Dad's sometimes sipping on a refreshing beverage to keep them warm. We always made sure we had a couple of jokes to tell, even if they were lame, but kids don't seem to do that these days.  As you got older you went with your friends and didn't want parental supervision.  We would generally canvass the neighboring streets but if we heard of a good bounty out of our immediate neighborhood we would search it out.  I remember one house that gave out homemade candy apples which was a special treat but you had to get there early.  

     I would hear rumors now and then about a trick-or-treater that found a razor blade in the candy but I never heard if it was really true. I'm sure there were incidents of this, which is probably why programs like "Trunk or Treat" were started.  Halloween always seemed to bring the weirdo's out and I guess it always will.  Today most parents will take the little kids to only a few close neighbors so they can be sure the candy is safe.  Halloween is so popular now that everyone is on the lookout for the kids.

     Something else I've noticed is all the dogs wearing costumes, which I don't remember ever seeing.  I guess the popularity of Halloween has just expanded.  I'm not sure how the dogs feel about getting dressed up but I have to admit I get a kick out of it.

     I like Halloween and it's fun seeing the little kids dressed up but Christmas is still my favorite holiday.  Candy doesn't trump presents. "Just Saying...."