“Aren’t you too old for trick or treating?”
As my sister innocently asks me this question, I turn around and give her a confused look. When did Halloween ever come with an age limit attached to it? Did people sign a contract in elementary school swearing to quit Halloween once they reached a certain age? Since when did this beloved, centuries-old tradition come with an expiration date that dictates when you are no longer allowed to enjoy it?
Traditions as old and meaningful as Halloween are not meant to vanish once somebody crosses an age threshold; they are meant to be shared across generations. For centuries, this holiday has invited people of all ages to partake in a night of spirituality and community. From its pagan roots to modern trick-or-treating celebrations, Halloween evolved over time, yet the spirit of the day has stayed the same: commemorating those who have passed or the supernatural.
For high schoolers, Halloween can also be an important stress reliever. Between academics, part-time jobs, sports and extracurricular activities, high school students balance a plethora of responsibilities that just never seem to end. Halloween should be a night where there are no assignments, no practices, no expectations: just candy, costumes and fun with friends. For one evening, high schoolers can experience a mental escape from the everyday grind, a moment to recharge, laugh and live a little.
Trick-or-treating offers high schoolers a chance to interact in their neighborhoods. I remember going door-to-door last year, receiving cheerful exchanges from my neighbors, people I had lived with my whole life but barely knew. Those small conversations about the type of candy we liked or the costumes we wore, I felt a stronger sense of connection with the surrounding community,
Halloween opens the door to reconnecting with our communities. It is a chance to show that we’re more than just workaholic teens but instead true members of a community.
So the next time somebody asks me: yes, I’ll be trick-or-treating this year and every year, and I encourage every high schooler to do so as well. After all, if we stop enjoying Halloween because we reach a certain number, then we’re missing out on the magic it brings and of course, the sheer amount of Twizzlers you can get in one night.