OK, I'm still nostalgic for Halloween of the late 1970s and 1980s (even though the 1082-83 Tylenol scare practically did away with the tradition of Trick or Treating). I enjoyed going to the local drugstore to pick one of several cheap plastic costumes with rubber band masks.  It was even better in those years when my mother would sew us a costume - most parents don't even know how to sew a patch now.

Halloween parties featuring piñatas, apple bobbing, and the blindfolded guess the organ game - featuring wet spaghetti and peeled grapes, popcorn balls, and candied apples seem to have largely disappeared and given way to loading the kids with cheap HF corn syrup, artificial color laden crap.

It seemed like in those days every few houses would be answered by a people watching the traditional Halloween I broadcast, contributing to the shared sense of community and (pop-culture) tradition.

Back then, the holiday still had a lot of authentic mystique and mystery - which I attribute to abandoned houses that have mostly given way to new infill developments and of course the razor blade/poisoning scares.  How many kids these days have had the terrifying pleasure of visiting an abandoned house at night?

Having said all that and despite the heavy commercialization of the holiday in the past 10-15 years, I still really enjoy it. The proliferation of costumes, decorations, "haunted" houses/forests, and pumpkin patches is a nice positive.  I also like that my kids schools have all featured an annual Halloween party. And, of course, the custom of pumpkin carving is as strong as ever :)

I'm nostalgic for Halloween as well! Though I'm apparently quite a bit younger than you -- my Halloweens were in the 1990s and early 2000s. I have fond memories of trick-or-treating and every house would be decorated. Now it seems like most houses don't bother.

Halloween has never really been about the dressing up or the candy for me though. I'm just in love with the atmosphere. The crisp air, the changing leaves, the houses that still decorate, apple cider, bonfires, scary movies and haunted documentary marathons, etc.

It helps that my bday is right before Halloween (Oct 28th) so from an early age I have probably always associated the imagery and mystique of Halloween with the anticipation of my birthday.

"Halloween has never really been about the dressing up or the candy for me though. I'm just in love with the atmosphere. The crisp air, the changing leaves, the houses that still decorate, apple cider, bonfires, scary movies and haunted documentary marathons, etc."

Agree with you on that point Mark.  I think the decorated houses varies by neighborhood.  I've found that you get the best bang for your buck in suburbs filled with younger families.  Even then, its usually street-by-street, but then again it always was.

I thought Halloween back then was cool growing up in the late 70's and 80's. It was a time to get dressed up as my favorite character, going outside in the cool weather and going door to door saying "Trick or Treat" and getting candies thrown into your bag.

Where I live in Texas, it's still pretty warm for the most part in October, so that Halloween atmosphere isn't as apparent. I'll never forget seeing an advertisement outside of Starbucks that said, "Fall is in the air," even though it was 90 degrees outside.

I was at a few Halloween stores this evening and browsing those places really made me realize what a sexist holiday Halloween is. Police costumes differ so much depending on gender - for women, they consist of short skirts and busty tops; for men, they look like regular police uniforms. It really isn't acceptable for men to dress "sexy" for Halloween except in the gay community. I think that's bulls**t.  ::)

I was a fan of Halloween when I was younger now it's just another day on the calendar for me, not sure why.

Now you got the kids these days throwing eggs and shaving cream at one another. ::)

Now you got the kids these days throwing eggs and shaving cream at one another. ::)


I thought they've been doing that?  ::)

I thought they've been doing that?  ::)


How long has that been a Halloween tradition?

How long has that been a Halloween tradition?


I was thinking about kids vandalizing people's houses and causing other kinds of mischief. That's why I was surprised when you said that was new.

Halloween has evolved. Growing up in the 60's and 70's Halloween was a child's holiday. Parades,
school parties and town wide trick or treating. It has since become an adult holiday. A lot has to
due with the fact that we as a society can't trust any one anymore. So, out goes the all day town
wandering going trick or treating and in comes the all night bar hopping.

It's not a huge holiday to me but I still get excited for the atmosphere and the energy of the holiday.

I was thinking about kids vandalizing people's houses and causing other kinds of mischief. That's why I was surprised when you said that was new.


Well that too, I always wonder why they wait till Halloween to do it?

Halloween has evolved. Growing up in the 60's and 70's Halloween was a child's holiday. Parades,
school parties and town wide trick or treating. It has since become an adult holiday. A lot has to
due with the fact that we as a society can't trust any one anymore. So, out goes the all day town
wandering going trick or treating and in comes the all night bar hopping.


I think society forgot how it feels to have fun on Halloween.

Well that too, I always wonder why they wait till Halloween to do it?


I guess 'cause they'll be in costume and won't be as easily identifiable.  :P

When I was a kid, I did the costume and candy stuff.  Now I just do some evil parodies over at Am I Right.

I guess 'cause they'll be in costume and won't be as easily identifiable.  :P


This is why houses get trashed with toilet paper and people get smashed with shaving cream and eggs. ::)

When I was a kid, I loved Halloween and didn't like Thanksgiving as much because it meant food that kids didn't really like, the essence that Christmas was coming but still seemed a ways off, and also before the innocence of obesity (though even back then I had a limit). Nowadays, while I still sort of like Halloween for the atmosphere, certain things don't creep me out like I once did and am spoiled from watching Let's Make A Deal so often, which like Halloween is all about costumes, certain side entertainment, and Trick-or-Treat meaning Zonks (Tricks) or nice prizes (Treats). It's all about family, but makes me wish I had kids. I do like the origins of the holiday, and in essence the swing towards Yuletide is reflected by many stores starting their Winter Solstice/Christmas promotions for earnest immediately after the holiday.

This my favorite night of the year.  I did the whole trick or treating thing but stopped before junior high.  As an adult I dressed up a few times but I'm not into parties.  I just watch a bunch of movies and dress as my scary self lol

This my favorite night of the year.  I did the whole trick or treating thing but stopped before junior high.  As an adult I dressed up a few times but I'm not into parties.  I just watch a bunch of movies and dress as my scary self lol


I grew out of enjoying Halloween as I became older so now I just enjoy the holiday because of the delicious candies.

Its a lot more fun with kids in the mix.

Its a lot more fun with kids in the mix.


until the brats keeping knocking on the door thinking someone's home when we have our lights off.

:D  Yeah, I was referring to my own.

:D  Yeah, I was referring to my own.


What do your kids think of Halloween?