The month of October swiftly rolls in, as if cast like a wicked spell. But where are all the armies of skeletons? So far, I’ve seen only a few decorated houses and heard of only two friends’ plans for Halloween costumes. What happened to the enthusiasm around strung spider webs, grinning skulls and lit jack-o’-lanterns?
Recall back to a few years ago. We were going out trick-or-treating with parents and friends on a dark night, bowls of candy at almost every doorstep. Now, the idea just isn’t as popular. Are we seeing it all differently, the darkness and the excitement, or is the end of October fading away?
Seriously though, I think that there’s a real difference and a lack of spirits in recent Halloweens around the Walnut area. Crossing into the double-digit month, we should already be seeing houses strewn with lights, even decals of dripping blood stuck onto windows. Somehow, even the graveyards are dying, and the cauldrons seem to have just bubbled away. It should be remembered that; trick-or-treating is experiencing real changes, and is often focused in popular neighborhoods, rather than being as widespread.
Of course, Halloween isn’t gone. There are still signs–bits of decorations here and there, but there’s so much less than there used to be. Houses would often begin with decorations even before the turn of the month, while they now wait until the holiday draws closer and closer. Some things about the spirit of Halloween are improving, with the quality of some costumes being especially notable. Some people go all-out, creating their best outfits yet, even making something to match with their friends. These special cases of increased effort do offer reassurance, and houses shining with orange and purple lights are what keep the tradition alive.
Halloween is becoming more and more similar to an old light strip, mostly dull with only a few lit bulbs to carry the weight. The air around trick-or-treating just isn’t filled with the energy it used to be. This could be due to newer generation’s lacking excitement for the holiday and won’t set their phones down to brave the horror of knocking on doors, but the candy gathering must continue. Get scary, trick if necessary and make some people scream, because our favorite month of haunt may be slipping out of peoples’ interest.
