Halloween: Then and Now

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Updated: Aug. 25, 2020

Originally Published: Oct. 22, 2014

Image via Shutterstock

Halloween, in my recollections, was a delightful mix of simplicity and joy — dressing up in fun costumes and indulging in candy. The aroma of cheap, plastic drugstore masks lingers in my mind, reminding me of the days when I huffed my way through the neighborhood with a “made in China” mask on my face, blissfully unaware of the BPAs and toxins I was inhaling. I remember dashing from house to house, clutching my plastic orange pumpkin, already losing its handle after collecting just a few Tootsie Pops.

My mom wasn’t particularly crafty, and I’m not either. But back then, Pinterest didn’t exist to set unrealistic expectations for Halloween. Yet, one year, she decided to create a homemade costume for me. For some reason, she thought a peacock costume would be perfect. What self-conscious fourth grader doesn’t want to strut around in a feathered leotard? That year, my mom glued thousands of feathers onto a leotard, and as the day progressed, I was handed a bag to collect the feathers that had fallen off during the school parade. Regardless of the mishap, it was all in good fun. Halloween was always a blast, and for kids, costumes and candy were the highlight of the season.

But today, things have evolved.

Halloween Then:

1. Costumes: Around October 20th to 25th, your mom would ask what you wanted to be, then either provided a witch hat and black dress, a sheet with eye holes, or took you to the drugstore for last-minute options.
2. Candy: During that drugstore visit, she would grab a few bags of candy to toss into a big pot at home for trick-or-treaters.
3. School Parade: At school, the Halloween parade was a chaotic yet exciting event handled by teachers while parents dropped off their costumed kids.
4. Pumpkin Carving: Pumpkin carving meant a trip to the grocery store for pumpkins, a kitchen knife, and candles scavenged from the junk drawer.
5. Decorations: Halloween decor was limited to sparkly witches and skeletons bought alongside candy and costumes.
6. Pre-Trick or Treating Dinner: Mom would hit the drive-thru at McDonald’s to grab a “healthy” dinner before the candy feast began.
7. Trick or Treating: If you were over seven, you were sent out into the neighborhood with friends—after all, the neighbors were familiar, so what trouble could you get into?
8. Candy Safety: Any apples received were tossed away due to urban legends about razors hidden inside. Instead, we were told, “Just eat the candy.”
9. Parents: Mom and Dad handed out candy while enjoying some wine and munching on non-organic cheese and crackers.
10. Candy Overload: Once back home, it was a candy grab-fest with siblings as you stuffed your pillowcase or plastic pumpkin.
11. Photos: A few polaroids captured the memories.

Halloween Now:

1. Costumes: Parents now start asking about costumes in the spring, ensuring they have the right references from summer blockbusters and Pinterest boards for authenticity.
2. Candy: Moms flock to Target on the first day of school to snag the best candy for trick-or-treaters, prioritizing non-GMO options.
3. Crafts: A trip to Michael’s follows, where moms purchase baskets and decor to create a festive candy-giving setup.
4. Costume Accessories: In July, moms select extravagant “Wishworks” costumes and prepare backup outfits for any Halloween mishaps.
5. Professional Makeup: Face painters are booked well in advance for Halloween night and school parades to ensure the makeup matches the elaborate costumes.
6. Pre-Trick or Treating Meals: Moms organize neighborhood potlucks with organic dishes to fuel the kids while trick-or-treating, often with a chaperone ratio of two adults per child.
7. Trick or Treating Supplies: Monogrammed, glow-in-the-dark totes are ordered months ahead to avoid sellouts.
8. Decorating: Moms decorate the house with an array of carefully curated seasonal items from local nurseries.
9. Pumpkin Carving: Pumpkin carving is now a full event complete with gourmet food and specialized tools.
10. School Events: At the school Halloween social, moms bring organic treats, as candy is often banned, and they are asked to change kids out of costumes that might distract from learning.
11. Photography: Every moment is documented for social media sharing, showcasing the kids in their elaborate costumes.
12. Candy Control: After trick-or-treating, moms limit candy consumption to one piece a day for the following months to manage sugar intake.

Happy Halloween! If you’re interested in learning more about pregnancy and related topics, check out our other blog post on home insemination for further insights. Additionally, if you’re looking for information on artificial insemination kits, Make A Mom is a great resource. For those exploring family-building options, Resolve offers valuable information.

In summary, Halloween has transitioned from a simple day of costumes and candy to a grand production filled with elaborate planning, organic treats, and Instagram-worthy moments.