Small children, free candy, homemade costumes, neighbors opening their doors—and one kid desperately snapping his fingers like Curly. Halloween may not make much sense, but it certainly makes memories.
Millions upon millions of dollars’ worth of candy will be bought—and then given away.
For the candy companies, that is exactly what they want to happen.
How that campaign got started remains a mystery to me. Whatever the original campaign was, it succeeded. Halloween is here, operates almost automatically and convinces people to purchase enormous amounts of candy for the purpose of giving it away.
That is interesting when you stop and think about it.
HALLOWEEN MEANS FREE CANDY
Do not get me wrong.
It is a fun process for children, and I have fond memories of participating—going from door to door and receiving treats.
Then, when you decide you have had enough, you return home with your goodies and discover that even more fun awaits.
The concept of mixing free and fun works pretty well.
SORTING THROUGH THE BOOTY
You get home and go through everything you collected.
Then the sorting begins.
All the same candy goes into one pile.
The candy you like goes into another.
The candy you do not like goes somewhere else—possibly awaiting a trade with someone who does like it.
Lollipops go together.
Gum is separated.
Chocolate receives special consideration.
In my day, homemade treats could appear in the collection. Today, most families understandably prefer factory-wrapped candy from people they know and trust.
In the end, for a child, Halloween delivers in more ways than one.
THE TRADING FLOOR OPENS
After the sorting comes the trading.
One child may place a higher value on chocolate.
Another wants gum.
Someone else likes the candy nobody seems to want.
Suddenly, children are negotiating, assigning value, forming agreements and conducting business without realizing they are doing any of it.
Halloween briefly creates its own economy.
ISN’T IT FOR KIDS?
I have seen Halloween abused over the years.
Teenagers—and even adults—sometimes go trick-or-treating primarily for the free goodies.
I have also seen people arrive without bothering to wear costumes.
I always believed the door-to-door candy part was mainly for children—you know, the small ones.
At the same time, older children, teenagers, adults with disabilities and people who simply enjoy participating may still appreciate being welcomed. A costume, some good manners and a little Halloween spirit go a long way.
If you are old enough to drive yourself from house to house, at least make an effort with the costume.
THE HOMEMADE COSTUME
I believed that dressing up in a custom-made, homemade costume was the way to go.
A homemade costume required imagination.
Cardboard became armor.
An old sheet became a ghost.
A hat, some straw and worn clothing created a scarecrow.
For a time, however, I envied the store-bought masks and complete costumes.
They looked so finished.
Still, there was something special about constructing a character from whatever could be found around the house.
You did not merely wear the costume.
You helped invent it.
GRUESOME KILLS IT FOR ME
I do not enjoy gruesome or horrifying depictions—especially when they become so extreme that we appear to be celebrating cruelty.
I am more interested in dressing up than trying to terrify someone.
Superman.
Batman.
Snow White.
Casper.
A scarecrow.
A cat or dog.
Those make for pleasant experiences.
Halloween can be imaginative, mysterious and playful without becoming graphic or disturbing.
Not everyone—especially every child—enjoys being frightened.
TRICK OR TREAT MEANS WHAT?
As to why someone knocks on your door and says, “Trick or treat,” I was never entirely sure.
When I was small, someone opened the door and said:
“Show me a trick.”
I completely stalled.
I was dumbfounded.
I thought they were supposed to give me candy. I had not prepared for any additional requirements.
Thinking quickly, I snapped my fingers the way Curly did in The Three Stooges.
It was the only trick I knew.
I was told:
“That isn’t a trick.”
At that point, I just wanted to leave, thinking:
You don’t know Curly—or anything.
THE UNPREPARED PERFORMER
That moment taught me something about expectations.
I arrived expecting a simple transaction:
I say the words.
You give me candy.
Nobody told me an audition might be involved.
Had I known, perhaps I would have practiced something—or at least improved my Curly finger snap.
Children do not always understand the customs adults assume they understand.
Sometimes they are simply following the other costumes toward the next porch light.
GOD…HELP US?
I know people who do not participate in Halloween because it goes against their religious beliefs.
Fair enough.
The holiday can include images and themes they do not wish to celebrate.
Although most families participate under the concept of fun rather than worship, everyone should be allowed to make that decision for themselves.
Some churches hold harvest festivals, family gatherings or other activities that evening.
This gives children a place to enjoy costumes, games, community and treats while respecting the beliefs of their families.
There is room for participation—and room for nonparticipation.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMES OUT
One overlooked part of Halloween is that it brings neighbors to one another’s doors.
People who may only wave from a distance suddenly exchange smiles, admire costumes and offer something to children they may not otherwise meet.
Porch lights become invitations.
Parents walk together.
The neighborhood briefly becomes more visible to itself.
For all its strangeness, Halloween can create a small sense of community.
SAFETY JOINS THE FUN
Fun works best when good judgment travels with it.
Children should be supervised appropriately for their age.
Costumes should allow them to see and walk safely.
Drivers need to slow down and pay special attention.
Treats should be checked, and allergies should be respected.
A child who cannot eat a particular candy—or who communicates, moves or participates differently—still deserves a kind welcome.
The memory should come from the fun, not from something preventable.
REMEMBER THIS CHANT?
“Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat.”
It made the rounds, and people smiled.
Of course, it makes no sense.
The whole thing makes very little sense.
But when you combine small children, candy, parents, neighbors and dressing up, something memorable happens.
FUN DOES NOT ALWAYS NEED TO EXPLAIN ITSELF
Adults often want things to make sense.
Children are more willing to enter the experience.
Wear something unusual.
Walk around after dark.
Knock on doors.
Say the required words.
Receive candy.
Go home and organize the treasure.
Perhaps part of Halloween’s appeal is that it temporarily suspends ordinary rules while keeping a simple understanding underneath:
We are pretending together.
FINAL THOUGHT
Halloween does not have to be gruesome, expensive or complicated to become memorable.
A homemade costume.
A welcoming porch light.
A bowl of candy.
A child trying to remember what to say.
A parent standing nearby.
A neighbor smiling at the effort.
Perhaps that is the real treat.
PEARLS INSIGHT (SEO)
Family-friendly Halloween traditions can encourage imagination, neighborhood connection and positive childhood memories. Safe costumes, supervised trick-or-treating, allergy awareness and respect for different beliefs help keep Halloween welcoming and enjoyable.
PEARLS FROM THE BOOKS
Not everything meaningful has to make perfect sense. Sometimes the memory is created simply because people agreed to share a little harmless fun.
PEARLS CONNECTION
What Halloween memory remains with you—the costume, the candy, the neighborhood, the person beside you or the unexpected moment that still makes you laugh?
RICHIE SPEAKS
If you ask a small child to perform a trick before receiving the treat, be prepared.
You may get Curly of The Three Stooges.
And if you do not recognize the finger snap, that is your problem—not the child’s.
FINAL SAY
Small kids.
Candy.
Costumes.
Parents.
Neighbors.
A little imagination and a lot of memories.
It may not make much sense—but somehow, Halloween delivers.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
Website: https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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