I cannot say that Hallowe'en has ever been a favourite celebration of mine. First, I am not one who is really into costumes. Some people are great about taking old clothes in the closet and making something fantastic looking. Oh sure I have been known to dress up when I am in a play. My costume for Ralph, the flamboyant eunuch, in the last murder mystery farce I was in received rave views for my decorative scarf and leopard print sunglasses. But generally I like dressing like I am (a late fiftyish minister with a casual style).
I also have never been a huge one for candy. I have never really liked really sweet things. I had allergies when I was young and for some years I was told it was best not to eat a lot of chocolate. So by the time I was done trick or treating, and after my mom's dilligent screening of my treats, there was not much left in my plastic pumpkin for me to eat.
One thing I liked to do on Hallowe'en though was handing out treats. I liked to look at other's creative costumes. I liked hearing the occasional thank you as I put treats in other's bags.
Living on the side of our building, we don't get many trick or treaters at our place. Last year we had 7 children come, and it left us with too many little bags of chips that we had to eat afterwards. It was kind of disappointing to see so few visitors.
This year though, things have changed. COVID means that it is just not safe to be out trick or treating. Going to several different houses seeing many different people just doesn't seem like a wise idea to me. Also, given my swelled up hip these days, the thought of going downstairs a few extra times just to see kids in costumes doesn't seem very appealing. I also know that this weekend is the hardest weekend of the year for me. On Sunday, like much of North America, we fall back. Sunday evening, it will be getting quite dark at 5pm. Sure getting up with a bit of daylight for a week or two in nice, but by mid November here in Central Alberta, we will be getting up in the dark and the sun will be setting at 430. Sunday time change is a dark day for me no matter if it happens on the 1st or the 7th (are my Saskatchewan "we don't change our time" roots showing?). To have Hallowe'en and time change happen on the same night is double witching hour for me.
So this year, for the first time ever, I am not going to buy any candy for Hallowe'en. It's not safe, I can't do the stairs, I don't need the sweets, it's the time change. Call me Mr. Scrooge, but I just can't see the point of celebrating a holiday I don't really enjoy. Next year, maybe I can enjoy watching others dressing up but this year I will just spend watching Bela Leguosi and Boris Karloff on tv.
