Halloween (also known as All Hallows’ Eve) was a time to celebrate the dead who returned to Earth for one night to be with their loved ones. But now Halloween has become a time to dress-up, decorate, scare other people and eat loads of candy. As Halloween is approaching, the usual traditions will begin. Pumpkins are bought and carved. Haunted houses are opened for the season and the decorating process begins. Houses are filled with fake skeletons, plastic spiders on stringy webs, witches standing near cauldrons of candy and the smell of pumpkin spice fills the crisp autumn air. The yards, covered in vividly colored leaves, have scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns strategically placed around every corner waiting to greet or scare trick or treaters. After the houses and yards have been decorated, the Halloween treats are made. Caramel apples are dipped, pumpkin bread is baked and piles upon piles of Halloween candy is purchased.

Once everything is in place, then it is costume brainstorming time. Will you go as a movie star, cartoon character, 1920s gangster, or one of the classics (witch, mummy, etc.)? When the costumes has been made or purchased; then, it is time to get some free candy. After walking around for hours in the chilly weather, it is finally time to go home. When you’ve finally gotten home, and after roasting some marshmallows with friends, you make a retreat indoors away from the cold. This is when the best part of Halloween takes place, the ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween. The popular, must-watch movies of Halloween are Hocus Pocus, Halloween Town I and II, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow. When Halloween is over, the decorations are put away and the candy is all gone; it is time to start planning for next year.