Family Halloween Traditions

We have arrived at the time of year again, when the ghouls and creatures emerge from the shadows and shopping carts of busy parents. The cool autumn air sets in the spooky decorations are hung and candy is bought in bulk. Children eagerly await the chance to dress up as their favorite monster, character, or idol before going door to door asking for treats from their neighbors. The modern day Halloween celebrations have become a tradition over the past decade. Starting in America during the early 1900s, it has become a national holiday that children and adults both look forward to each year. Families spend the day making memories and traditions of their own every year. From the children dressing up to celebrate at school to the infamous candy hauls that they return with after trick or treating every family has their own unique ways of celebrating that make the holiday special each year. My family was no exception, though, we enjoyed the holiday with a little extra twist that not every family was able to do.

The day started the same as any other as my sister, brother, and I woke for school, brushed our teeth, and ate breakfast. Though we were generally wide awake on Halloween morning as we eagerly rushed about the house pulling on tights, wigs, and extravagant costumes. Most of which were store bought and related to a Disney movie or some other television character. My mother was ready with the hair spray, face paint, and bobby pins to help us create the adorably mishap look of our dreams. Then she waited by the door with the camera and our book bags, and off to school we ventured along side our similarly crazily dressed friends.

Once at school, we would admire the festive classroom decorations and crafts provided by the teachers and other parents. Knowing that there would not be one student able to focus on anything other than the holiday, teachers planned for Halloween activities to fill the first half of the day. That alone made the day feel special, as the normal dry routine of school had received a bit of a makeover its self. Not long into the day, the teachers would line their classes up for the Halloween Parade. Every student would confidently walk alongside their classmates strutting around the school for their parents to see. The parents would line up outside trying to get the best few of their proud child. Capturing each step and silly face their child makes as they giggle and skip down the path. As a child it was so exciting to show off my "pretty" costume. I truly felt as though I was a princess or a cowgirl. Just for that one day my whole life had changed.

After the school day had passed we would return home hyped up on sugar, games and anticipation for the night's events. By the time we emerged from the bus the costumes that my mother had carefully helped us craft were falling apart. Makeup smeared down our faces and hair all tangled and out of sorts. Screaming gleefully as we showed off our Halloween crafts and goodies from school.

Before any more festive celebrations could be held we had to eat a healthy dinner and finish any potential homework we might have had. When we were really young, we would take a nap before getting back into costume. Along with our costumes, we carried pillow cases half our size that were neatly decorated for the occasion. Finally then the festivities continued, and we headed out for some trick or treating. Sprinting up and down the streets with our parents close behind, meeting up with friends and neighbors as the sun set we went to each door we could find until it felt like our legs were going to give out. It did not matter if we were cold or felt like we could not hold our eyes open any longer.

When we returned home, my sister, brother and I sat around picking through the hundreds pieces of candy that we received. Sorting out our favorite pieces as we traded with one another and counted each sweet treat. It became a competition to see who could end the night with the most candy. I am not exactly sure why, but I remember my brother always being the one with the most candy. Perhaps that is because once we returned home the focus of our celebrations slightly shifted. While we still enjoyed the Halloween fun, my parents also made sure that the day did not end without acknowledging my brother's birthday. My younger brother celebrates his birthday on the spooky holiday. When we were kids we would have had a party in the days leading up to Halloween but on the actual day itself, we celebrated with my brother's choice of dessert, Pumpkin Pie. It is fitting that it is his favorite considering his birthday is on Halloween.

After a long day of dressing up, parading around school and the neighborhood, and then pigging out on candy and pie, the holiday festivities were concluded. We went to sleep with ideas for next Halloween as we lingered in the memories made during the present Halloween. While most of my family's Halloween traditions were pretty normal that did not dull the memories, I have of the holiday. Each year it still feels special and brings a smile to my face to think about the times my family spent together celebrating this spooky holiday.