Here at Midwestern State University, we are gearing up not only for our Centennial Homecoming Celebration, but also for Halloween. From going costume shopping to shopping for candy for the Homecoming Trunk and Treat, the MSU community seems to be very excited for Halloween. Therefore, in celebration of the spooky season, Spooktober or whatever you call the month of October, I am going to tell you all the reasons why Halloween is the best holiday humans have ever invented. 

Adapted from the Celtic festival of Samhain, Halloween is a holiday that started as a celebration of the dead as the eve of All Hallows’ Day (now known as All Saints/Souls Day) but quickly turned into a night of scares, frights and candy. Previously known as All Hallows’ Eve or Hallowe’en, it was first celebrated by ancient British, Irish and Scottish folks as the beginning of the Celtic year but also was the eve of the celebration of the dead. As time passed, however, the holiday began to modernize. Although Halloween is a more modern holiday than the Celtic festival, a majority of different modern-day Halloween traditions draw their roots from the Celtic festival.

Similar to Thanksgiving, Halloween is a holiday that has an array of fun activities for all age groups and can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of gender, sex, race, sexual orientation, economic and social status, political affiliation, religion or disability. Contrary to popular belief, Halloween isn’t just a western hemisphere holiday. It is celebrated in over 15 countries worldwide with examples like Austria, Japan, South Korea and others.

As stated above, Halloween is a night for all age groups, each participating in a variety of different fun packed activities. For kids, Halloween is a night of trick-or-treating, trunk-o-treating and running around in their costumes. For teenagers and young adults, Halloween is a night of horror movie marathons, Halloween parties and costume parties. For adults, Halloween is a night of handing out candy, scaring little kids and rewatching old horror flicks. Other general Halloween traditions include costume shopping, zombie walks, haunted house, Six Flags Fright Fest, haunted mazes, pumpkin carving, visiting a pumpkin patch, Halloween baking, telling scary stories and more.

Halloween is my favorite holiday because of all the amazing memories I have associated with the holiday. Although it isn’t an American holiday like Thanksgiving, it is one of the most American things to participate in. I hope y’all have an amazing Halloween and Happy Spooky Season.