As October comes to an end, pumpkins line porches, candy is stripped from aisles, and worst of all, Amazon packages won’t come until after the big day. Neighborhoods across Naperville prepare for one of the most anticipated nights of the year, Halloween. Despite the tradition of celebrating Halloween staying the same, it can take different forms throughout the ages, making it individual for each and every person.
Halloween not only fills kids with excitement but with candy, too. Bundled up in the brisk Naperville night, they race from house to house yelling “trick or treat” at every door. Kids spend months deciding if they want to be Spider-Man, a princess, or any other fantastical creation. On this night, they can be whoever they want to be—all powered by sugar and imagination. Slone Fischer, an 11-year-old student at Saints Peter and Paul, prepared for her costume months in advance using videos on TikTok as inspiration.
“I can’t wait to be Alvin and the Chipmunks with my friends,” Fischer explained with excitement.
Teenagers range from 13-19 years old. In the beginning of those 6 years, many teenagers still trick or treat. Vince Gallelli, a 13-year-old student also at Saints Peter and Paul does not want the tradition of candy to fade.
“I still am going trick or treating, no matter how old I am,” Gallelli stated.
However the older half of teenagers prefer something more lowkey that doesn’t involve begging for candy. With that said, regardless of the activity, Halloween is a big deal to some. Naperville North High School junior Penny Carpenter expressed this sentiment.
“Halloweekend is the best week of the year, you can’t change my mind,” Carpenter said.
For college students, Halloween is a mix of nostalgia and fun. Instead of running door to door in a neighborhood, some colleges participate in Halloween activities through Greek life. University of Kentucky student Hannah Humyak is housed in Alpha Chi Omega. Her sorority does activities from trick or treating with kids in the area, to couple dances in the house—all things that bring a unique type of joy to the community.
“I love the environment during this time, it’s fun for all ages,” Humyak said.
Contrary to what some may think, Halloween doesn’t fade after college; it evolves. Parents often rediscover the fun of Halloween through their children, dressing up in family-themed costumes or hosting parties while their kids are out trick-or-treating. From spooky snacks to coordinated couple costumes, adults find ways to keep the Halloween magic alive.
Older generations often like to look back on this holiday and realize how times have changed, oftentimes for the better, as we know from the infamous horror movies that describe the times of elders as creepy as it gets. 78-year-old Mary Goolsby remembers Halloween being simpler and spookier.
“We all used to share ghost stories while we ate candies,” She explained, “but nothing makes me happier than seeing little kids with the cutest costumes.”
No matter the age, Halloween continues to bring people together through laughter, creativity and a little bit of fright. From kids racing for candy to grandparents reminiscing about Halloween’s past, the holiday proves that costumes may change but the spirit never fades. Whether trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins or handing out candy, Halloween remains a celebration that truly grows with everyone.
