When I would notice the leaves beginning to change, a slight chill in the air, and the return of pumpkins to the porches in my neighborhood I knew one thing was coming: fall. Fall has always been my favorite season, even when I was younger. Like every kid, I would anticipate the most important holiday of the season, Halloween of course. It was the one day where I could get all the free candy I wanted, and dress up as someone new in a costume. One memory that I will never forget was the year I decided to dress up like a zombie, and my brother was a mummy. I remeber being twelve at the time, and my brother was nine. I used an old shirt and pair of pants for my costume, that I ripped holes in and smeared dirt all over for a more zombie-like look. I was stumped for what to use for fake blood, and then my mom suggested what seemed like a good idea, ketchup. My brother's costume was very simple to assemble. My mom wripped many pieces of cloth from old wrags and sheets, and wrapped my brother in them until we could only see his eyes, nose, and mouth. Unfortunately, as the night went on, my brother's costume began to unravel. Being the good parents that they are my mom and dad would take turns to stop before we went to the next house for our candy, and try to rewrap the unraveling cloth. I was not having better luck with my costume, because I reeked like an overripe tomatoe from the ketchup on my costume. Despite these minor annoyances, my brother and I still had a good time, and received a lot of candy. Now, my family and I think that Halloween was hilarious, and we talk about it every year.
By the time I was a junior in high school, I was tired of trick or treating. My friend Victoria felt differently, and after a lot of pleading, I agreed to go trick or treating with her. After I arrived at Vicoria's house on Halloween, we were ready to go. Rebecca, Victoria's neighbor and other friend, went with us. At first, I felt embarrassed because we didn't see anybody our age trick or treating. Vicotria and Rebecca also realized this as well, after I brought up this point to them. Despite this, we decided that we were still going to have a good time. It was a fun night, and we did get a lot of candy. However, a woman that was giving us candy asked us if we were a little old to be trick or treating. I did have a good time, and now Victoria, Rebecca, and I laugh about that night. That night convinced me that even though Victoria was going to beg me the next year to go trick or treating with her, I was going to stay home where I belong, and hand out candy. Maria had the right idea to stay home that night, especially since it was so cold outside. It was extremely funny when Victoria convinced Maria to go with us, even though she did not want to come. Halfway through the neighborhood Maria declared that it was too cold outside, trick or treating was ridiculous, and she was going home. Rebecca, Victoria, and I were a little annoyed with Maria at the time, but now we laugh about her frustrated outburst. It was an off year for candy, and I noticed that even though my friends and I froze our butts off outside trick or treating, we did not have much candy to show for our efforts.
When I was little I only thought about trick or treating, and all the candy I would receive. I did not think about the preparation from my parents that would go into my costumes every year. As I got older, I shared the feelings of frustration with my parents about what costume we should make, or buy. Like every family, we would procrastinate choosing a costume as my brother and I got older, because the task turned into more of an annoyance than a fun activity. My parents and I laugh now, because I began to realize their feelings of frustration as I got older of choosing a costume year after year. Now, my parents do not have to put up with this minor annoyance, because about three years ago my brother and I came up with the perfect solution: buy our costumes in a large size so we could wear them for a long time, and not have to shop for a new one every year. This strategy worked perfectely, and now when my brother and I would go out with our friends, we were able to wear the same costume. I used this strategy for the last two years that I went trick or treating, before I stopped going for good.
Now when I think of Halloween, I think of staying home and handing out candy, and watching scary movies with my family and friends. If I do go out, it will not be trick or treating, but a Halloween party with my friends. Even though I think of Halloween differently now, I still enjoy this holiday every year. I have learned to do different things on this holiday, that are still fun, but do not have to be associated with trick or treating like they were in the past. I enjoy handing out candy, because not only do the kids get something, I get to sneak a few pieces out of the bag while I wait for the next set of trick or treaters, which is always a fun thing to do. Another thing that I have realized about this holiday is that it started to be a lot more enjoyable after I stopped trick or treating. I did not have to be outside in the chilly October evening, going to house after house that would end up handing out halfway-decent candy in the end. I could stay home and be warm, while watching scary movies, and eating the candy that I bought at the store earlier in the evening. It was also nice to not have to try to think of a new costume, which can be a major annoyance on Halloween every year. I have learned that Halloween can still be a fun holiday, even without the trick or treating that I loved as a kid, because I can spend it with my family and friends talking, being warm, and having a good time.
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