With the onset of pumpkin themed everything and fall weather comes the spookiest time of the year, Halloween!
According to www.cbsnews.com , “1 In 4 Americans say Halloween is their favorite holiday.”
For many, this time of year is all about horror movies, haunted hayrides, and picking out your next costume. However, as we grow older, one question lingers: Am I too old to trick or treat?
For children, what is there to not love about this holiday? It has all of the elements a child could want like candy, friends, scary movies, excitement and mischief.
Life during these times is so much simpler which is what makes Halloween so much more appealing to an older audience.
There is no specific answer to the “correct” age for stopping trick or treating. Many kids might stop doing it around 13 or 14 years old when awkwardness in middle school begins and Halloween parties start looking more attractive.
Halloween is one of those holidays that adapts to every age group. When you are young, the focus tends to be on costumes and sweet treats. Being a teenager may shift your interest towards haunted places or hanging out with your friends.
It’s also a night of creativity and community. Houses are dressed up with cobwebs and skeletons, and the front lawn changed into haunted cemeteries. While others have horror movie marathons with friends in hopes of getting in adrenaline filled frights.
UACHS social worker, Aisha Bowers, shares where her love for Halloween and horror films originated.
“When I was nine years old my mom and I would bond over scary movies every Halloween,” said Bowers. “It was a part of the tradition we would watch all the horror movies like Nightmare on elm street, Chucky and of course the Halloween movies.”
Whether you are 8 years old or over 18, Halloween is for everyone. Beyond the trick or treat, as you get older you find out that Halloween is as much of a big deal for adults as it is for kids. If trick or treating brings you joy there is no need to stop.
Just know that spooky season is for everyone and whether you are in a candy induced coma or a shivering mess due to fear of a horror movie all that matters is that you celebrate how you want to. Happy Halloween!
