by Emily Cappo
The costume catalogs started appearing in our mail earlier this year, arriving even before school started. I was annoyed, as I usually am, because I like to live in the moment and enjoy the season I’m in, rather than have to think ahead about the holidays and winter chill. However, this year my annoyance was ratcheted up to another level. I realized that only one of my three boys would even be interested in browsing through these catalogs. The older two boys, at 12 and 15, have no interest in dressing up for Halloween. And that makes me pretty darn sad.
We live in a neighborhood crawling with kids, and with the houses set close together, trick-or-treating on our streets is a child’s dream. You can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Perfect terrain for Halloween. My kids could trick-or-treat for just an hour and still come back with loads of candy.
It’s also fun for us parents because we walk around as a big pack, the kids scurrying up to ring doorbells, while the adults wait in the street and chitchat. Some people have pre trick-or-treat gatherings, where they’d have pizza for the kids and beer and wine for the adults.
So this year, when the catalogs arrived way too early, I realized that I only had maybe two more years of Halloween trick-or-treating with my youngest child. Soon he’ll want to join his brothers, either handing out candy or else head off with his friends to find mischief, which hopefully wouldn’t involve egging someone’s house. And where would that leave my husband and me? Would we turn into the couple across the street, whose kids are grown, and who turn off their lights on Halloween night so no one rings the bell? That thought really depresses me.
But then I remembered that Halloween doesn’t have to come to an abrupt end for us. I thought of our neighbor down the street who decorates her yard each year with zombies reclining in lawn chairs and other scary Halloween images. She prepares her outdoor displays weeks in advance and it’s always the hit of the neighborhood. And guess how old her kids are? Both are in college. Clearly, the ages of her kids did not stop her from continuing a tradition that she obviously loves.
While I don’t expect to start going full throttle on the Halloween decorations anytime soon, I do take comfort from my neighbor’s attitude. When my trick-or-treating chaperone days are no more, I don’t have to completely say good-bye to Halloween if I don’t want to. We can still leave the lights on, hand out candy, and enjoy the young princesses and Batmans that come to our door. I just hope those costume catalogs stop clogging my mailbox by then.
Bio
Emily Cappo is a mother to three boys, ages 8, 12, and 15 and one girl dog. When not parenting, she can be found writing, blogging, playing tennis, or drinking iced tea. If you’d like to read about more of her adventures as a mom to boys, go to: http://ohboymom.com
Expect the Worst, Get the Best
Janine Huldie
I have a few years before HAlloween also goes to the wayside in our house, but loved your idea of decorating your house, because I truly love this holiday and don’t want to lose this holiday completely either. Happy to have followed you here and hope you are doing Ok this Monday morning 🙂
clark
lol… alas, I am one of those turn-off-the-light-and-read-in-a-back-of-the-house-room!
We have the neighborhood demographic for a lot of visitors, but our house is set well back off the road, even though we are on a typical suburban residential street. The main reason for the lights-off, (I tell myself), is our dog Una, for whom this ‘holiday’ is second in ranking as ‘not-enjoyable’ only to the 4th of July.
…luckily my computer is on one of the aforementioned backrooms.
Enjoyed the Post
Wendy Willliams Koch
Loved this piece, Emily! My mom was one of the few neighbors who turned off the lights and groused about Halloween. I vowed from about the age of 4 on, that I would never be that person, and lo and behold! Anyway, you may be surprised to find out that your kids still want to do Halloween long after they graduate from trick or treating. Mine are carrying on the proud tradition in their college/work towns!
Amy
Aw, that made me sad that you have only two years left of Halloween with a young one in the house! Halloween is my least favorite holiday, but my girls love it. They pour over the catalogs. They fight over the catalogs. They change their minds on what costume they want 20 times each. i guess I should appreciate it while it lasts. 🙂
eloise
I miss the UNICEF Trick-n-Treat boxes.
That’s the real sadness and loss.
G’ma of 6 who still enjoys the holiday.
Michelle Liew
Emily, it’s a bit sad when the kids grow up and you miss all the fun stuff you used to do together, you know? But hey, celebrations are enjoyed by everyone of all ages! Thanks for sharing!
Cari Lorine
I love the idea of decorating your house! We don’t have kids yet, but there’s no reason we can’t participate in the holiday, too. It’s probably a little too late for this year; next year I’ll have to get on it at the beginning of October. I guess Halloween doesn’t have an age limit. 🙂 Great post!
Kate Hall
My uncle does that same thing with his yard. His daughter is in her mid-20s, but he starts setting up (with help from family members) his yard weeks ahead. He does a different theme each year. When the kids come to the yard he scares the crap out of them and chases them. The kids love it!
Roshni
What a great post! I’m sure I too would be pretty sad the day my boys refuse to participate in Halloween dress-up, but you’re right! Why should it stop us?!!
Melanie Chisnall
For a minute there I got a little panicked, wondering where your normal website had gone. Then I saw the bio at the bottom 🙂 Super post! I love the picture, and am so jealous of all of you getting to do the whole Halloween thing each year. I think we should adopt it here as well!
Emily
Thanks Janine! Yes, it’s funny how adults love the holiday as much as kids. Personally, it’s all about the Kit Kats for me.:)
Emily
Ha – funny Clark! But, you’re so right about the dog — mine freaks too so it really can be the perfect excuse to turn off the lights on halloween! Thanks for your comment!
Emily
Thanks Wendy and that’s good to know about your kids carrying on the tradition — love that!
Emily
Amy, Yup mine used to do the same thing with the catalogs and changing their minds..my least favorite part is the carving of the pumpkin and with the arrival of the hurricane this year, I was off the hook — only upside to that storm. Thanks for commenting!
Emily
Yes, I miss the UNICEF boxes too. Thanks for commenting!
Emily
I agree Michelle — long live Halloween celebrations! Especially the chocolate-eating part! 🙂 Thanks for your comment..
Emily
You’re right Cari, Halloween does not have an age limit as proven by my neighbor too! Thanks for commenting!
Emily
That’s great Kate — sounds like he really enjoys it as well as all the kids. Thanks for sharing that…
Emily
You’re so right Roshni — it shouldn’t stop us from continuing the tradition if we don’t want it to! Thanks for commenting…
Emily
Thanks Melanie — I think you should adopt it over there! It’s worth it for all the chocolate consumed.:) Thanks for commenting…