By: Sarah Adams
Updated: Oct. 18, 2023
Originally Published: Oct. 25, 2021
As Halloween approaches, teens often receive a negative reputation — towering figures in costumes that barely conceal their faces, hands outstretched for candy. Yet, it’s easy to forget that they were once little kids, too.
I can vividly recall every Halloween costume my son has donned over the years. He started out as a playful dinosaur, then transformed into a superhero, followed by a pirate, and later donned a wizard’s robe. He’s even tried his hand at being a vampire and a ghostly apparition — I dressed as his creepy sidekick to match.
Last Halloween was a milestone for us: my son ventured out to trick-or-treat with his friends, leaving us behind for the very first time. Gone are the days of me standing at the curb, flashlight in hand, watching him ring doorbells and return with a stash of sweets. Now, it’s just my partner and me waiting for the little ones at our door.
The younger kids have Halloween all figured out — their charm is almost overwhelming. They rule the night, or at least as much of it as their tiny legs can handle. When my son was younger, we aimed to visit one more house than we did the previous year. We eventually made it beyond three blocks, but there was always that one house — the spooky one with fake gravestones and jump scares that genuinely frightened children. Knowing the family there made me the designated candy collector; they rewarded those brave enough with king-sized bars.
Last year, even without us, my son found himself unable to conquer the daunting driveway and creepy décor.
Despite his growth, he’s still a kid at heart. You wouldn’t guess that if you saw his 6-foot-tall, angst-ridden 15-year-old self hidden beneath a mask that barely fits.
With him off collecting candy, we took on the role of candy distributors. The younger crowd was cute, sure, but it was the teens that truly surprised me. I had low expectations, yet they flocked to our doorstep with pillowcases in hand. One standout was a boy dressed as a classic character; he earned my admiration and a generous handful of treats for his creativity.
I can’t recall a single teen who merely wore a mask and extended their hand, but they all received candy anyway — there are far worse activities for teens than trick-or-treating.
While the little ones fumble up the steps, holding tightly to their parents’ hands and being prompted to say “thank you,” the older kids race down the street, leaping over bushes, crowding into doorways like little strategists planning their candy collection routes. They’re calculating the effort-to-candy ratio meticulously.
Teens are often the final visitors on Halloween night, ensuring the holiday we cherish lingers a bit longer before the porch lights flicker out and the pumpkins dim. After they leave, my partner and I exchange glances, muttering, “That went fast.”
Too fast.
And just as we settle in for the evening, the first Christmas commercial interrupts. I distinctly remember this happening last year. Seriously, Glade PlugIns, can’t we have a moment?
This means that teens on Halloween are your last bit of normalcy before life’s chaos resumes. As long as they keep showing up for candy, keep dishing it out.
Once the candy is gone, and you’re left handing out granola bars in embarrassment, it’s time to shift into holiday mode. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and shopping lists are on the horizon, leading to a flurry of worries about family gatherings and current events.
Honestly, the stakes seem high this year — almost dystopian — so cherish every teen that knocks on your door, even if you’ve grumbled about their lack of enthusiasm or their choice to bypass the little superheroes in search of the ultimate candy haul.
And if that’s not enough to make you appreciate every teen who comes by, just remember — they once were little, too.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the often-overlooked nostalgia for Halloween as kids grow up. It highlights the experience of parents as they watch their children transition from adorable little trick-or-treaters to independent teens. Acknowledging that teens, despite their size and attitude, were once small and innocent, the author invites readers to appreciate every knock at the door, especially as the holiday season looms.