All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween, is nearly upon us but no, I will not be partaking this year as it seems that a person can become to old to trick-or-treat.
That’s right, some cities have actually set age limits on going door to door and asking for sweets stating “a driver’s license means you can go get your own candy”.
I am not mad however because I can understand, it’s all for the kids and once you hit a certain age (college) the costumes become a bit less cute and a bit more scandalous.
When googling some of the best costumes that may be found on the streets on Oct. 31, I found that the No. 1 most-searched halloween costume on Google is, I am proud to say because I am a huge fan of the movie, a minion from the movie “Despicable Me,” and no, it’s not just kids choosing these little yellow balls of fun but teens and adults too!
In case you are wondering, No. 2 is a character from “Breaking Bad,” No. 3 is Fox from the music video “What Does the Fox Say” (I had to look this one up because I was unfamiliar and I suggest you all do, too), No. 4 is the ever-so-hilarious characters from Duck Dynasty and finally the fifth most popular costume is Miley Cyrus, but not the the sweet innocent Hannah Montana from the Disney Channel but the one that wears virtually no clothes and sticks her tongue out as often as possible.
And now a few tips on making Halloween the best you can for the young ones:
Spend the extra dollar and purchase quality make-up for yourself or the person you are painting on because you don’t want your kid (or your own face) to have that same look weeks later.
Keep in mind how much walking they’ll be doing for their age. You don’t want to have to carry your little ghoul home.
Remind the kids to say thank you, even if they get crappy candy, toothbrushes or the dreaded apple.
If the lights are out at a house the owners are most likely hiding in the back and have no candy to give because they have not looked at a calendar for a month,
Definitely partner up when walking the streets late at night. This was made clear to me when my fellow co-worker Dorothy and I went for a walk about a week ago and came upon a house with a little boy staring right at us from his upstairs window.
Was he real or not was the question in our minds as we stared right back at him, and once he moved, we felt we should hurry past the house on our way.
Even the little things can be disturbing and a little alarming.
Now for advice to homeowners or treat givers:
Don’t terrorize the kids! It’s all about fun and not making them wet their pants.
My worst Halloween memory is going up to a house that was decorated nicely, ringing the doorbell excellently, receiving the appropriate amount of candy and then turning around and seeing all the decorations and scarecrows coming to life (there were real people under that hay and overalls and pumpkin heads!).
I’m going to guess I had a nightmare or two that night.
While apples and healthy snacks are usually discouraged by the kiddos, alternative treats can include pencils, erasers or stickers with a Halloween theme. These are cool enough to show off at school the next day.
And for all of us alike, Halloween candy is magically calorie and fat free on Oct. 31 so feel free to use the “one-for-you, one-for-me” rule with every visitor you have.
