Halloween: Then vs. Now

home insemination Kit

Remember the Halloween of our childhood? It was simple and full of joy—just dress up and eat candy. The air was tinged with the unmistakable smell of those flimsy costume masks from the drugstore. I can still recall trudging through our neighborhood, struggling to breathe behind my cheap “made in China” mask, probably laced with who knows what toxins. That scent was ever-present as I dashed from house to house, clutching my plastic pumpkin, which lost its handle after my tenth Tootsie Pop.

My mom wasn’t exactly the crafty type, and neither am I. But one year, she decided to whip up a homemade costume for me. For reasons known only to her, I was transformed into a peacock. What fourth-grade girl wouldn’t want to strut around in a leotard covered in colorful feathers? My mom glued a staggering number of feathers onto my outfit, and let’s just say they had a tendency to fall off—like, a lot. By the end of the school parade, I was handed a plastic bag to collect my “molt.” But hey, it was fun! Halloween was all about costumes and candy, and we didn’t have Pinterest or Martha Stewart breathing down our necks.

Halloween Then:

1. Costumes: A few days before Halloween, your mom would ask what you wanted to be, then either provide a witch hat and black dress, a ghost sheet, or take you to the drugstore to see what was on sale.
2. Candy: While at the drugstore, she’d grab a few bags of candy to toss into a big pot for the trick-or-treaters.
3. School Parade: When the school Halloween parade rolled around, you’d be dropped off, and your mom would breathe a sigh of relief as teachers handled the chaos of excited kids in costumes.
4. Pumpkins: Carving pumpkins meant a trip to the local grocery store, a sharp kitchen knife, and some candles from the junk drawer.
5. Decorating: Halloween decorations consisted of sparkly witches and skeletons from the drugstore.
6. Dinner Before Candy: On the way home from trick-or-treating, mom would swing through a McDonald’s drive-thru to get something “healthy” for dinner before the candy binge.
7. Trick or Treating: If you were old enough, mom let you roam the neighborhood with friends, trusting the neighbors to keep an eye out.
8. Candy Rules: Apples? Forget it—those were tossed out because of urban legends about razor blades. Just stick to the candy, kids.
9. Parents’ Role: Mom and dad would hand out candy while relaxing with some wine, munching on cheese and crackers.
10. Candy Binge: After returning home, you and your siblings would dive headfirst into your candy haul.
11. Photos: Just a few polaroids to capture the memories.

Halloween Now:

1. Costumes: Moms start asking kids what they want to be in the spring, needing time to plan the perfect, movie-inspired costume and Pinterest board.
2. Candy: Moms race to Target on the first day of school to grab the best candy for the neighborhood kids, aiming for non-GMO treats.
3. Crafts: After Target, it’s off to Michael’s for baskets and decorations to make everything look festive.
4. Costume Accessories: In July, moms order elaborate costumes, complete with flying wings and backup outfits for different occasions.
5. Professional Makeup: After finalizing costumes, moms book a face painter for both the school parade and Halloween night.
6. Trick or Treating Dinner: Moms plan potlucks with organic chili and sides to keep the kids energized while trick-or-treating, often using a strict adult-to-child ratio.
7. Trick or Treat Pails: Monogrammed, glow-in-the-dark candy totes are ordered well in advance to avoid selling out.
8. Halloween Decor: Moms hit local nurseries to fill their yards with decorative gourds and other fancy touches.
9. Pumpkin Carving: Pumpkin carving has become a full-blown event with gourmet meals and specialized tools.
10. School Halloween Socials: Moms bake organic, allergen-free snacks for school parties, which often have strict candy bans.
11. Photography: Every detail is documented for social media, capturing the kids in full costume glory.
12. Candy Control: After the festivities, moms take control of the candy stash, allowing just one piece per day to manage sugar intake.

Happy Halloween!

For more insights on home insemination and parenting, check out our other blog post on home insemination kits. And if you’re looking for expert tips, Make A Mom has some great resources. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, Progyny is an excellent resource.

Summary:

Halloween has transformed from a simple celebration of costumes and candy into a highly orchestrated event complete with Pinterest-worthy decorations, organic treats, and elaborate costumes. While the essence of fun remains, the approach to planning has changed dramatically over the years.