Every year, Halloween is on October 31st. Which is why I was so baffled after moving to a neighborhood that had strict trick-or-treating rules. For one, trick-or-treating took place on another day — which often ruined Halloween itself. Secondly, you always had the fear that not every family would get the memo, meaning that you might have to turn down trick-or-treaters if they showed up on the wrong day. It took a standard tradition and made it confusing.
To muddle up things even more, people are now protesting to change the day of Halloween altogether. Reason being, the kids usually aren’t in their best shape the day that follows. Late nights and tons of sugar will do that to a kid.
The motion is being taken so seriously that there’s a petition on Change.org. Parents believe that by moving the day to the last Saturday of the month, trick-or-treating will always fall on a weekend. Then, kids can stay up later and enjoy their haul with no repercussion.
“It’s time for a Safer, Longer, Stress-Free Celebration! Let’s move Halloween to the last Saturday of October!” the petition states. Created by the Halloween & Costume Association, the petition is meant to be seen by Donald Trump.
Now, even though it’s always a bit rattling to have someone completely change a well-known tradition, the petition brings up a few important points and statistics. For one, they mention that trick-or-treating can be more of a family time.
“[It] gives children and parents alike time to enjoy Halloween without rushing, taking time off work to spend the evening with their children, and takes away the stigma of what some people think the holiday is really about and just makes it a really fun day,” Carolyn Boutin wrote. Is there anything better than roaming the streets with your costumed kid?
“I would love for my kids to have more time to show off their costumes and greeting neighbors rather than rushing from house to house to make it home for a reasonable time in anticipation of school the next day,” Kimberly Alvarado added. “Also as a teacher I notice how difficult it is for kids to focus on the day of and the day after Halloween.”
#TheNine
— Marie Davids (@MarieDavids628) July 29, 2019
As a Preschool Teacher...Halloween on Saturday please!!! Weekday Halloween is hard on the tired parents, & the sugared up, tired, cranky kids the next day! It's already hard to teach on Halloween day, then also the day after!
Others believe that it’s not just about school and work. It’s also about safety.
“I cannot think of a safer way for our children to best enjoy this wonderful day!” Javier Carrillo added. “I hope we can make a change in the name of safety.”
There are far better ways than this to make Halloween “safer, longer, and stress-free”, and the best one involves calming the heck down and letting kids have a fun night of fake rebellion.
— what fresh Helen is this (@heleninwords) July 26, 2019
According to the petition, 3,800 Halloween-related injuries happen every year. That could be due to children rushing to hit more neighborhoods or adults who don’t have the time to make sure their kids are easy to see on the street.
There's actually an argument to be made that that moving Halloween to Saturday afternoon would *increase* traffic accidents. Most people drive more carefully in the evening on Halloween because they recognize an increased danger. Changes could yield a false sense of security.
— Nano Horror (@tweetsthecreeps) July 26, 2019
It’d be interesting to compare stats. Since Halloween sometimes naturally falls on a Saturday, the information is likely there.
Safety should always be the most important factor for all decisions. But there’s still something a little sad about moving Halloween.
In NY Trick or Treating is ALWAYS on the 31st no matter what day of the week it is. pic.twitter.com/Rd39C3xaZs
— JJ (@Flint521466) July 26, 2019
For one, having it be on a weekday is part of the adventure. Even discussing the night is fun for kids. Being tired is almost like a rite of passage.
Secondly, it may officially kill the holiday for adults. Yes, it’s far for important for the kids to celebrate. But, Saturday is typically when adults throw Halloween parties or their own Halloween festivities.
Some people might also think that it falls on the parents to make sure their kid doesn’t stay out too late. If they’re unprepared for the next school day, that’s not necessarily Halloween’s fault.
But, on the other hand, it would have been nice to not have that “when is trick-or-treating” anxiety a few years back. You’d assume that my neighborhood wanted to change the date for similar reasons, and not just as some sort of strange power move.
Halloween comes from the Celtic festival of Samhain, which welcomes the harvest, but even that is celebrated between two days, seeping into November. Still, changing a date like that does offend those who observe it.
There are a lot of people out there who are rightfully outraged by the petition. But, there could be worse things than changing the date of Halloween.
Working in the bar scene. I think it’s not a good idea. Some parents spend Halloween with their kids and saturdays at the bar. Sure once every seven years it’s a Saturday. Also, most trick or treating is done before 9pm, which means kids are asleep for school at a reasonable hour
— Jake Drury (@SocksUnterShoes) July 26, 2019
Like, getting pennies in your Halloween bucket. Or toothbrushes.
No matter what happens, one side is going to be disappointed. At the very least, we’ll always have Halloween and trick-or-treating — regardless of what day it falls on.
