Holloween

I don't get Halloween.

I've never really cared all that much about it. After a certain age, trick-or-treating loses its appeal, and I've never quite understood the notion of dressing up and partying. Why waste time playing dress up? Just have a party if you want to have a party.

I think I don't care about Halloween because there's nothing to care about. Halloween is a meaningless holiday, and I'm just not sure I can wrap my mind around the idea of celebrating a meaningless holiday.

Here you have a holiday that's widely celebrated, though it's totally detached from the original reason it was celebrated. (And if it was still attached to that original meaning, no one would celebrate it.) People do all sorts of things on Halloween, but they're all meaningless.

People carve pumpkins on Halloween. What's the point?
People dress up on Halloween. Why?
People knock on people's doors and ask for candy. What kind of ridiculousness is that?

Look, if someone's celebrating Halloween because these sorts of things have meaning for them, fine. But I don't know anyone like that. People don't celebrate Halloween because they connect to the ancient Druidic rituals or because its a deep and important part of their heritage. People celebrate Halloween because... they do.

How dumb is that? Halloween is an entirely stupid holiday that continues to exist because candy companies, horror movie producers, and costume makers depend on it. This is worse than Mothers Day, which, despite being invented by Hallmark, is about appreciating someone who deserves appreciation.

Let it be known that I will not be succumbing to this ridiculousness. My life will be a Halloween-free zone from here on out.

Comments

[Caryn Barkin]

Maybe the only thing important about Halloween is the small amount of community that it creates. Maybe the origins aren't that important if on this one night families, and kids, and neighbors connect, have fun, create a memory, and maintain a tradition. What's wrong with a tradition for the sake of the tradition? Everything doesn't have to have deep meaning. Sometimes it can just be fun. A little less cynicysm and a little more optimism.
Love, Mom

[Sara]

besides everyone loves candy.

[David]

Amen, selah.

[Dad]

You don't like Halloween because you have always been scared of people in costumes!

I remember when you were about 2 yrs old and you and I opened the door for some trick or treaters. You were so terrified of the kids in costumes Mom and I had to take you to your Grandmother's house. She lived up a long driveway that was avoided by kids.

Your life was a Halloween free zone from that day on.

[Jake Creecy]

Don't be a curmudgeon.

You like candy.