Halloween is here and, as you might expect, I won’t be going to any costume parties – that would feel like an evening of real-life horror for me.
I remember in my younger days, in school and even when I worked in office environments, feeling pressure to join in for the dances and parties. Trick or treating with a couple friends was fine. Group activities, not so enjoyable.
Now that my daughter is grown, she doesn’t want us going out with her roaming the streets in the dark and cold as she goes door to door gathering goodies. So while she is out having fun with her friends, my hubby and I (and our cat) huddle in at home welcoming the spooky visitors that come to our door.
I do enjoy seeing the excited little kids and all the creative costume ideas. One of my favourites that we came up with over the years was “puzzled” – it involved a crazy wig and a shirt with puzzle pieces glued all over it. Too cerebral???
It’s funny, Halloween is the only day of the year that I will always go to the door when the doorbell rings. The door is like the phone for me – I’ll answer if I’m expecting you. Otherwise, nobody’s home!
And since I tend to avoid spending much time in my front yard where there’s an expectation to chit-chat with neighbours and all the dog-walkers passing by, many of the parents who accompany their children to our door will be wondering with curiosity (and perhaps hesitation), “who lives here anyways?”.
In between trick-or-treaters, hubby and I will be reading by the fire. If we really want to indulge, perhaps we’ll chat over a glass of port (and of course chocolate).
Eventually, it will get late enough that it’s only the “big kids” coming to the door. That’s when the jack-o-lanterns come in, lights go off, and I go back to my natural instinct not to answer.
When it’s all said and done, that will be enough “socializing” to last me for the winter. December starts my caving season! Neighbours can watch for me to resurface in the spring (I used to have a neighbour who teased me about it, saying that I was like Wiarton Willie, an albino groundhog that, when finally emerging from his cozy den, predicts how quickly spring will arrive).
No loud parties, bonfires, or communal feasting here. Just my low-key version of an introverted Halloween.
What’s your version?
I love your post. I stopped celebrating Halloween a few years ago. I respect others who do and I’m happy it works for them, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience for me so I decided to listen to my own soul and follow the tune of my own heart. I love your thoughts of honoring yourself and increasing your daily self-awareness.
Marla, I have never been a fan of dressing for Halloween either. Maybe I don’t have an alter-ego. What you see is what you get. I’m just me. I now live in a small community where the houses are very close and I do enjoy it when the streets are full of kids and parents. I tried wearing just a witch hat one year and scared a 2 year old. I tried saying I was a good witch but he kept crying. That was the end of the hat!
Thanks Diane – yes, what you see is what you get – I can relate. You made me laugh with the witch hat story. We heard screams from across the street this year when a human pumpkin, sitting in a chair at their front door as if a stuffed display, moved his hands to give out the candy! We had the sweet pleasure of having a little guy all lit up with excitement from celebrating his first ‘real’ Halloween come to our door – good job we didn’t have anything to scare him off. Brought back fond memories 🙂