I heard recently that some politician suggested Hallowe'en should be eliminated because it encourages children to beg for candy from other people. He said children should be taught a good work ethic and that they need to learn that nothing is free.
This anti-Hallowe'en sentiment is nothing new. Religious groups of all denominations have been debating it for decades, since this is originally a pagan holiday. Today, churches even hold "alternate Hallowe'en" events — which is in itself kind of crazy, don't you think? If you don't like Hallowe'en, don't use the name. Hold a fancy dress party or something along that line, but don't go calling it a different kind of Hallowe'en party. Either it's Hallowe'en or it isn't.
But I do think Hallowe'en trick or treating may have run its course. It isn't what it used to be.
When I was a child, the whole point was to dress up in costumes and masks and go out after dark without any adults. Oh, and to collect candy, of course. But the real thrill was being out at night with other kids, all wearing costumes, with no adults to say go here or go there. It was the only night of the year where children took over the neighbourhood. No one took babies out, either. There was an unwritten rule that children had to be big enough to walk and carry a treat bag before they could go out trick or treating, usually about age 4. Littler ones were always accompanied by older kids, and children usually went out in a group with their friends because it was more fun that way, and it kept anyone from getting lost or too scared.
Many people made homemade treats, like fudge, cookies, candy apples and squares, or handed out oranges and apples. It wasn't just candy. Often, the children would be asked to come into the house so people could admire their costumes and try to guess who was behind the mask. After all, you only went trick or treating in your own neighbourhood, so often the adults handing out candy knew most of the local kids, and the children usually knew who lived in each home.
Fast forward a couple of decades. Some parents began driving carloads of kids into other parts of town to collect more candy, instead of staying in their own neighbourhoods. Warped people began, for their own twisted reasons, to put pins and razor blades into fruit and baked goods, so the kids had to have their loot bags inspected after they got home to ensure the food was safe. In response, people had to quit giving out traditional treats and switch to commercially wrapped items because, if they didn't, whatever they gave the children would be thrown out later.
Parents began to fear for their children's safety and started accompanying them as they went door to door. (Boy, that sure must be fun for the kids.) And no longer could children go indoors at any of the houses, for fear they might be kidnapped or have who knows what done to them. Now, kids even get their bags of treats stolen from them by other kids or even adults. That was unheard of when I was a child.
Nowadays, there are far fewer children going door to door on Hallowe'en night anyway. It just isn't the big deal that it used to be. Too many parents feel it just isn't safe. As well, many people are having trouble just getting by these days without having to buy extra candy to hand out to children. So I think the time has come to bring an end to trick or treating. But that doesn't mean you cancel Hallowe'en!
I think the focus should switch to putting up Hallowe'en decorations, holding parties and having fun dressing up in costumes. I lived in one community where every school holds a Hallowe'en costume parade thorough their neighbourhood and visits places like retirement residences and homes for the aged. Most schools have costume parties and dances. Many youth groups hold pumpkin-carving contests.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Hallowe'en without sending children out door to door to beg for candy. So let's keep Hallowe'en, but call a halt to trick or treating. It was fun while it lasted, but it's time has ended.
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