I’m not a big Halloween person. As a kid, I’m sure I was. But, now, not so much. However, I do have kids, so I’m trying to get into the spirit of Halloween a little more. My four-year-old has definitely figured it out. She knows what it’s all about. Candy. Lots and lots of Candy.
My sister and I were talking about how it has gotten a little out of hand though. Since when did Halloween turn into a celebration as big as Christmas? It seems to last a week long now giving our kids enough candy to last until next year. They dress up in their costumes at school, they get invited to parties, they have the Trunk or Treat at church, and then they still go door to door? Don’t kids get enough sugar as it is? And, let’s not even mention when adults have to dress up as something ridiculous for the office party! I saw a poor woman in a craft store yesterday with literal beads of sweat running down her face from running around the store trying to find something for her Alice in Wonderland themed office party. She was going as the Cheshire Cat she said proudly to the cashier. Whew! I was thinking to myself, thank goodness that’s not me!
Now, before those of you that love Halloween start getting upset, I do think that keeping it simple and safe is the key. I think the Trunk or Treat at local churches is a great way of doing that. But, add it in addition to all the other festivities we have, and it seems like a little overkill to me. I remember as a kid, we did it the old fashioned way. We went door to door in our neighborhood, many of us sporting homemade costumes, and were out until our feet could not walk anymore. There were years where I remember going door to door without my parents. Life was much simpler and safer then.
I am glad that the church has taken a more active role in recent years to keep our kids safe by providing a good place for them to get candy and share their costumes, but sometimes I wonder if it’s too much. It is a good way to reach out to our communities (if our ward does that, which in our area we do), and meet our neighbors. That is always a good thing. But, do we want to be “meeting our neighbors” dressed up as a vampire or ghost in our ward building? I’m not so sure. But, I guess it is one way that we can show that Mormons are a lot like everybody else. We love candy as much as the next guy. Happy Halloween!
Related Articles:
The Ward Christmas Party-An Idea
Preparing a Talk with Your Primary Child
A Mormon Mommy and a Muslim Mommy