On October 31st and the days leading up to it, one can hear the phrase “trick or treat” being said and see people of all ages running around in crazy costumes. Traditionally, children dress-up in costumes and walk around the neighborhood, ringing doorbells and telling scary stories or jokes in exchange for candy. In college, students do not trick-or-treat, but they still enjoy celebrating the holiday with friends.
A week or two before Halloween, I like to go to a pumpkin patch with friends where we get pumpkins which we then carve at home. If we are feeling lazy, we get one from a grocery store or supermarket. The weekend of Halloween, there are Halloween-themed get-togethers and festivals throughout the community.
Not all of the costumes that people wear are scary or sinister. Students dress up as characters from TV shows or movies, as politicians, mythical creatures and beasts, and anything else they can think of. There are no rules, as long as you are wearing a costume!
My first year at the University of Arkansas as a freshman, my residence hall put up Halloween decorations and held various Halloween-themed events and activities throughout the week for residents. On Hallows Eve (Halloween) my friends and I dressed up in costumes and went to a Halloween party that a friend of ours was hosting. This year I went to a Halloween party that a bar was having. It is always so much fun looking at other peoples’ costumes and seeing what they came up with! Some individuals really get into it and plan their costumes for weeks, while others throw something together the night of, with things they find in their closet. No matter what the age, Halloween is fun for everyone!
-Selina
