Halloween is one of the oldest holidays celebrated all across the globe. It’s traced back 2,000 years as it was believed that on October 31st ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Halloween traditions have changed over the years to become more lighthearted and have also become associated with different activities. These activities include trick or treating, haunted houses, carving pumpkins, and more. Many of these are seen as “kid” activities, and as you get older, you start to feel a sense of hopelessness regarding your favorite childhood activities, you’re met with societal pressure to grow up, and nothing feels the same anymore. Elementary schoolers make up the majority of trick or treaters; the older you get, the more you feel out of place with activities such as trick-or-treating. A lot of people believe that teenagers shouldn’t be allowed to trick or treat, as it’s seen as juvenile or troublesome. This can incite a fear of not wanting to be turned away or feeling too old. Aging creates a sense of loss for your childhood activities and confusion about how to accept change. You don’t have to stop your beloved Halloween traditions, but they can also grow, change, and become something new.
How can you spend Halloween as a teenager, does it really have to change?
- Watch Scary Movies with Your Friends- Choose your all-time favorite Halloween movies or watch new ones and binge the night away with your candy of choice.
- Go to a Haunted House- Whether you dress up or go in your regular clothes, haunted houses are an excellent way to keep things spooky and exciting
- Go on a Halloween-themed picnic- Whether with friends or family, you can get creative with new picnic activities and food. Some examples are bobbing for apples, spider marshmallows, & baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
- Go Trick or Treating- If it is something that still interests you, it’s not fair to miss out based on societal expectations of how you should grow up.
- Carve Pumpkins- This is another activity you can do during the Halloween season. Experiment with different and more challenging designs you’ve never dared to try in previous years because growing is about evolving.
- Go to a Halloween party- Dress up and hang out with your friends at a get-together.
- Go to a Pumpkin Patch- Pumpkin patches have corn, mazes, pumpkin, hay bale rides, and more fun activities.
Growing up shouldn’t mean the end of fun or traditions just because you’re getting It. it should signify your growth as a person and how you celebrate your favorite holidays. You also shouldn’t feel pressured to do what you think everyone else wants for you. If you want to go trick or treating don’t worry about seeming “immature,” or if you want to go to a party, it shouldn’t matter as long as you’re doing what you want in a safe way. Growing up is about discovering who you are, who you want to be, and what you like to do.
