Trick or Treat

Halloween is October 31st every year, however, Trick or Treat isn't always held on that holiday.  It's almost as if the two are not related any longer.

This year Halloween is on Sunday, but my local town held Trick or Treat on Thursday - 4 days before the  holiday. I am not completely sure why they moved it, but I have an educated guess: Friday night is High School football, Saturday night is College Football, and Sunday is the NFL, and living near Pittsburgh, the home of the Steelers, football is not just a fun activity it is THE activity of the season.  

A had a few people tell me that they noticed quite a few less kids doing Trick or Treat this year, and I at first wondered if it had anything to do with the separation of the Trick or Treat and Halloween... I mean, if Trick or Treat isn't held on the actual holiday how do people know when they can in fact do Trick or Treat.  I only found out when Trick or Treat was being held around my home because a friend asked me if I wanted to join them in giving out candy.

The low turn out could also be because of the economy, and people are thinking that there will not be a lot of houses giving out candy, so they decided to stay at home. However, I don't really think that is a good reason, because if the bad economy was the reason, people would be more likely to be out looking for free candy.

I was discussing this perception about fewer costumed, candy rustlers this year over previous years, and an astute observation was made.  When we (myself and the astute observer) were kids candy was a rare treat.  It was something we did not get very often.  We could not wait till Halloween, because outside of Easter baskets, and a little candy in the Christmas stocking, it was the ONE time we could get candy without a big fight/argument with our parents, and the amount of candy had more to do with our ability to go to as many of the right houses as possible, rather than how much money we or our family had.  Before we started our trick or treat adventure we plot out our path, so that we would visit more of the houses that gave out large, and unique stuff, and avoid those that gave out lame "non-candy" or "non-fun" stuff. Today kids get candy seemingly all of the time, so the treat, is no longer a treat, instead it is just another day of candy. 

Also when I was younger the fun of trick or treating used to be (especially as I got a older) about stashing a roll of toilet paper or a few eggs in the bag for those places that didn't have any treats to give.  Today most pre-teens, and teenagers think trick or treating is lame, and don't even bother.

I say bring back the tricks, and the treats, and put them where they belong... on Halloween.  Sure you might get an egg or toilet paper thrown at your house, because you are busy watching the game... but for those out doing the trick or treating, it will bring back the real fun of the night!