As the years have gone by, it seems as though society’s excitement for Halloween grows more and more. While large groups of people start celebrating in September, there are individuals who buy their decorations and plan their costumes all the way in August. Simply the subtle hint of crisp air and people are dragging their skeletons out of the closet. So, why is it that people prepare so early for a spooktacular time? Well, that’s just it.
People have cultivated and become infatuated with the activities and overall feelings associated with fall, things such as pumpkin carving, hayrides, earth-tones, haunted houses, sweater weather, apple cider and the changing leaves of the season. People associate fall with these ideologies and pastimes; one in which people can spend time with friends and family and schedule a last hurrah before winter leaves the landscape desolate.
Therefore, it makes a lot of sense as to why people are grappling tenaciously at their Halloween traditions far earlier than anyone would have expected. It is the only time of the year to invite oneself to be voluntarily scared, and there is some underlying fun in that, especially in the company of others. More so, much like Thanksgiving, people are always rushing to the next thing. After Thanksgiving people are practically reaching under the table to grab their shopping bags for Black Friday in order to slip into the Christmas spirit. It’s the anticipation of something occurring, the sole reason as to why there exists Freeform, previously ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas.
However, Halloween is still quite dissimilar from this. It isn’t gift or food-driven, although the candy is exciting, it is driven by the experiences. Halloween has a lack of expectations despite all the activities people associate with it. People can do a different activity on Halloween each year, and it is still as wonderful as the last because there is an overall lack of pressure to make it extravagant. Whether it’s spent out on the town in a Wonder Woman costume or snuggled up watching James Wan’s The Conjuring or other horror films, there is the ability to spend time with loved ones, doing activities that make people happy, regardless if it is romanticized by repeated themes throughout the fall season. It’s the one night to be someone other than oneself through costume. It has become about the experiences of following fall fads, of being scared with loved ones, the act of dressing up and having a reason to celebrate that brings immense joy. If this means celebrating Halloween earlier than people currently are, then so be it.