It’s 7 p.m. and dark outside. The only light is a soft orange glow coming from the full moon hanging in the dark sky. You spot your target. A cute ranch house with pumpkins lining the walkway. You rap your knuckles on the door. It creaks as it opens. 

“Aren’t you a little old to be trick or treating?” 

It’s a tragic reality. This is the world we live in. 

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love all things pumpkin spice and everything nice – with a spooky side to it. Dressing up and going out to trick or treat was the highlight of my October. Yet, as I got older, I found that my favorite tradition became looked down upon. This is not a unique problem. Teenagers everywhere suffer judgment, refusals for candy and the (not so) whispers of angry parents with little kids on Halloween night. 

The more I contemplated this predicament the more I thought – am I the problem? Personally, I decided I am not. However, I decided to ask Dulaney’s population to gather what they thought about my trick-or-treating dilemma. 

When asked when they stopped trick or treating, most students had varying responses ranging from age eight to they still go (or will still plan to go) trick or treating. The largest spread of these responses (28.5%) falls in the “I still go trick or treating” category. One anonymous student summed it up perfectly. 

“No shame in my game. That’s free candy.” they said. 

I thoroughly agree. There’s no shame in feasting on the sweet remains of some free candy.  

But I wasn’t satisfied, still finding myself in a conundrum. When should one stop trick or treating? Again, mixed responses made up my survey page, with no clear appropriate age to stop. Though, one response stood out to me. 

“A grown 30-year-old person who still trick or treats with little kids would be a bit alarming. But, 60+ years old would be funny. Seeing a bunch of elderly people dressed up is awesome.” they said.

Those are words of wisdom. 

After careful consideration of both my own – obviously biased beliefs – and those of the anonymous voices from Dulaney High School, I have come to the conclusion that Halloween is a holiday meant to be enjoyed by participants of all ages. Though I’d have to agree, anyone older than 30 trick or treating on their own is slightly odd. But who am I to judge? I can assure you I will be receiving my free candy for the next couple of years to come. After all, I am broke and candy is expensive. 

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