Children look forward to the few nights a year when they can dress up in costumes, eat their endless candy supply and stay up past midnight in hopes of catching a glimpse of Santa. The excitement and pleasure that come with these holiday traditions make childhood feel magical. But as we grow older, society often suggests that celebrating these festive activities are “only meant for kids.” Suddenly, dressing up, watching holiday movies and decorating cookies are seen as silly or immature. However, no one is too old to enjoy the happiness and spirit that come with the holidays, particularly Halloween.
Halloween is a celebration that originated more than 2,000 years ago to mark the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. People all over the world celebrate it now as a time to dress up, get scared and eat candy. Halloween gives many kids an excuse to be who they want and live in an imaginary world. They eat endless amounts of candy and have the best night of their lives. Why can’t teenagers have this same sense of enjoyment?
Kendall Romoff (‘26) explains that she “still dresses up for Halloween. It’s very fun and is still something I look forward to.” Halloween isn’t just a time for little kids to run around gathering candy, but for teenagers to dress up and have fun with their friends. Halloween is a holiday that all age groups can enjoy and look forward to with the right, spontaneous mindset.
Just like Halloween, Kwanzaa, Christmas and Hanukkah are celebrated around the country. The festivities that come with these holidays bring joy not only to the children that are waiting eagerly to open their gifts but also to the adults and elders who get to spend this time building memories with their loved ones.
Ben Snyder (‘28) advises those who feel they have “outgrown” celebrating Hanukkah that “it’s important for adults to keep celebrating Hanukkah the way they did over time so traditions are passed on within families” as maintaining holiday traditions is a key aspect of bringing families together.
Holiday celebrations are meant to bring people together, no matter their age. Decorating a Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, baking cookies, or singing holiday songs are all ways of expressing happiness and togetherness; these memories never lose meaning as people grow older. Participating in festivities like these keeps the holiday spirit alive, whether you are a four year old or a 40 year old.
