Halloween is right around the corner and students are looking forward to the spooky holiday. On Oct. 31, the streets will crowd with children dressed up as creatures and beloved characters. Many students at Schreiber have their own plans on how to celebrate Halloween.
“My plans for Halloween are to help my mom and dad set up the decorations and then go out with friends. I will probably be going around where I live and Davis Street where the orthodontist’s house is. He gives out the best treats,” said freshman Emily Mark.
Trick or treating isn’t the only option for Halloween celebrations. Many people stay home and spend time with friends and family, or hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.
“My parents probably won’t let me go trick or treating, so instead I’m going to binge-watch some classic horror and thriller movies. I heard that Scream and Friday the 13th are supposed to be good. I’ve also been meaning to watch The Ring, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Final Destination,” said freshman Ziyu Wang.
Other activities to do on Halloween include pumpkin carving, braving a haunted house, handing out candy, visiting a corn maze, and more. The thrill of being in a haunted house or finding a way to navigate out of a huge maze can make Halloween much more thrilling.
Although the holiday and its traditional activities have changed over time, its earliest records date back 2,000 years ago to the age of the Celts who lived in Ireland, Northern France, and the United Kingdom. During that period, it was known as Samhain and they believed it was when the dead were allowed to visit the world of the living.
When the Romans conquered the Celtics, they combined their festivals with Samhain. This day came to be known as All-Hallows. The day before it was traditionally known as Samhain, but soon, many more began to call it All-Hallow’s Eve, which eventually became Halloween.
Another crucial part of Halloween is costumes. Originally, the costumes were much more frightful and grave because they served the purpose of warding off evil spirits. However, as the holiday spread into the United States, it quickly evolved into more pop culture-inspired costumes rather than ghouls and goblins.
“My costume is going to be a cosplay of my favorite band. It has a bunny hat, jeans, some key chains on the jeans and a shirt. I’m personally really excited for this costume because I am making it from scratch and it means a lot to me,” said Mark.
In addition to creative costumes, children, teenagers, and adults must stay safe. When choosing a costume to wear to school, it should be practical and safe. Students who have physical education on the day of Halloween should note that the costume shouldn’t restrict movement. Moreover, walking from class to class in large costumes or long skirts can easily become a hazard to people in the hallways.
Even outside of school, safety precautions should be taken with costumes and trick or treating, especially after dark. It is very important to keep a lookout for others during the night, as well as double-check the received candy to make sure nothing bad was put into it.
“My advice for staying safe would be to look out for cars and make sure to stay with your friends because, especially along Davis Road, it’s crowded and easy to get separated,” said freshman Isabel Dong.
Educating yourself on Halloween safety can help minimize the number of accidents on Halloween night. When it’s dark and lots of children are out alone, there are many opportunities for trouble.
“If there are no lights on in the house, I would skip it. Don’t take any opened candy, bring a flashlight, be aware of your surroundings, check for cars, and use common sense. Another good tip is to not trespass on private property,” said freshman Ava Puton.
On top of that, wearing a lightly colored costume or attaching some reflective tape helps passing drivers see trick-or-treaters crossing the road, preventing any accidents. Paying attention to the roads by keeping devices away while crossing is also very important. As for candy, always check to make sure it’s completely wrapped before eating it, and always check the ingredients for those with dietary restrictions like certain allergies or those who keep kosher or halal.
Halloween is a great holiday when children, teens, and adults are able to dress up and get creative with costumes. Although trick or treating for candy is a classic Halloween experience, it is not worth it unless you know how to stay safe. Halloween can also be enjoyed by staying in and playing games or watching movies.