As the end of October approaches, supermarkets pile up candies, and people begin planning elaborate parties and decorations. While Halloween is undoubtedly a huge event — let’s be honest — it’s one of the most overrated holidays of the year.
This isn’t to say Halloween doesn’t have its fun moments. As kids, many of us loved dressing up as our favorite characters, collecting a handful of candy and hearing spooky stories. However, what was once a thrilling holiday now feels like an overhyped event.
The pressure to have the perfect Halloween costume is intense for many people, especially parents. Social media has only amplified this, making people feel obligated to create the most original, Instagram-worthy outfit.
Instead of being fun, costume planning becomes stressful and expensive. Gone are the days when you could throw together a DIY costume from things around the house. Now, you have seemingly failed Halloween without spending serious cash or hours of effort on a one-time elaborate look. For those who don’t feel creative or have no time, Halloween can feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.
Of course, one of the central elements of Halloween is candy. As kids, the promise of endless sweets was enough to make Oct. 31 one of the most anticipated nights of the year. But as adults, the desire for candy starts to wear off — especially when we realize how much we already spoil ourselves with sweets throughout the year.
Additionally, parents worry many candies will be laced. Tales of food poisoning and laced candy travel through each home after the night is over. It’s no wonder many parents and adults alike dread excessive candy consumption. Is a holiday built around the distribution of sugar really worth all the risks?
Another part of the Halloween craze is the pressure to decorate your home. What was once limited to a carved pumpkin on the porch has escalated into full-blown haunted house displays with expensive lights and fog machines. Some people spend hundreds, even thousands, transforming their homes into haunted houses.
It is not that Halloween is without its charm. For many, it is a beloved tradition that brings back fond memories. When considering the stress, expense and overdoing, however, it is clear the holiday is somewhat overrated. Maybe it’s time to jump back to reality and praise the better holiday with calming carols and cold, snowy weather: Christmas.
