It is said that you are never too old to trick or treat, but if you are not trick or treating, what else does Halloween have to offer? Halloween has come a long way as it started being celebrated over 2,000 years ago. In some cases it is frowned upon when a teenager trick or treats. Families might assume you’re causing mischief, however, celebrating Halloween is for everyone no matter the age. Now, it is finally that time of year where the spooky season is upon us again.

Let’s start at the beginning. The Halloween tradition originated from an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. During this festival people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Over the years the holiday evolved, inspiring myths, legends and spiritual influences. Today Halloween is celebrated with trick or treating, costumes, pumpkin carving, pumpkin lattes and scary movies.

The American holiday we know and love has been documented by historians, who estimate it was the early 20th century when Halloween became widespread. The idea of collecting treats from neighbors started with an act of telling a joke and performing a trick while in costume. Over the years, Halloween has shifted gears from a religious observance and ancient traditions to be solely focused on costumes and parties. Circling bonfires to ward off spirits is a drastic shrift in tone compared to trick or treating for candy nowadays.

Trick or treating has become an important part of our culture. Neighborhoods are filled with haunted decorations, skeletons, spider webs and of course, traveling from house to house collecting candy. 

The question of when to start or stop trick or treating comes to mind. Some believe that as we get older we don’t get to trick or treat, but enjoy the act of chaperoning younger children instead. So what comes next for Halloween in high school?

Costume parties, horror movies, haunted houses full of terror and corn mazes are just a few options. Having fun with friends on this spooky day is what getting older is all about. The older we get the more the holiday changes, but we all remember our childhood costumes and the loads of candy we collected. Halloween should be filled with fun, fear and frights. 

As time goes by, the age of trick or treating comes to an end, but our memories last forever. Spooks, spirits and ghosts will always haunt our dreams as we continue to celebrate one of the most iconic holidays of our time.