Buzz! Was the quiet sound made when plugging in a string of lights in, and the patterned, colorful LED lights subtly flickering against the wall. But all that stands are the warm, cracking porch lights visited by a few moths, the occasional festive doormat by the door.
All this happens everywhere every year. Homes are slowly losing a festive feeling and becoming a place. Many teens and adults aren’t as excited for holidays anymore. Numerous comments state this on platforms for popular holidays like Halloween and Christmas. Many adults say that it’s a hassle now, trying to continue this magical day for kids, budgeting, spending money, and generally keeping the spirit going.
Even now, there are people in the world who still decorate. “They usually decorate a month or so before the holiday,” said Freshman Parveen Muhlestein. It may take quite a while to get a theme or idea going. Or even to buy decorations. Stores barely put products on shelves at least a month in advance.
Seeing people put their wreaths on their door, their lit Christmas tree shining through the window, smoke pouring out the chimney from the fireplace adorned with stockings. That’s usually what signifies the start of the next few weeks. Most find it enough to fill the inside with a type of theme.
“Last year, we did Vintage Christmas, we strung popcorn and cranberries and put it all over our tree. We did those warm vintage lights (colorful string lights). We just did White Christmas, a couple years back, we put snow on our tree. It melted. But it looked cool for a day. We just do kind of different color themes mostly,” said Freshman Parveen Muhlestein.
People often have different opinions on what Christmas looks like. From themes to string lights. An entire range exists from community to community.
“It’s just a couple of lights, we don’t really see inflatables that often, cause that’s like what the rich people do. My house in particular, we definitely do lights as much as we can, but we keep it on a budget,” said Freshman Olivia Myers, who lives in a neighborhood where their neighbors decorate.
With what Myers said, there are very few people who buy inflatable products and many other things. Probably more now that tariffs have affected many imported items like trees. Reducing the amount imported into the U.S., Inc., having information on why this is.
As for Halloween, the tradition still continues. Costumed kids with bags of candy walking down barely lit streets. An occasional trio of carved, rotting pumpkins with faces or intricate designs. Patio lights turned off with a sign on the door that says “Sorry, No candy” with a frowning doodle.
Oftentimes, trick-or-treaters still have fun with friends and family or at decorated houses. Places that have a walk-in porch with costumed people throughout. Still-standing, daunting figures before moving and notifying kids that they’re not statues. Groups running out with their bags clutched before they start laughing.
Which I think is still nice, having fun on a day where those who want can dress awfully wild. Some people coordinate with their friends and match costumes at school. Later in the day, going out trick-or-treating. It’s rare to see a big group of friends chattering the night away.
There is also barely any teens going out, mostly being invited to parties or staying in.
“More than one quarter of adults (26%) believe that children are never too old for the tradition,” said TODAY. Having percentages of answers to questions about this topic in their article.
People may find it a little deterring whenever they don’t see any teenagers trick-or-treating. Wondering if teens no longer want to go out. But that doubt usually goes away whenever they see a group running from house to house. Although that might just be because of where they live.
“Not a lot, maybe for kids about maybe 10 at most around my neighborhood. And for teens, I usually see none,” said 8th grader Chloe Ting.
Some may be afraid of dressing up silly or scary as they used to. Those costumes become moth food in their closet. Nervous about what their peers would say about them wearing them. This sometimes places Halloween in a different light than it would be if they were trick-or-treating. And those who stay in often don’t have anyone to go with.
Although these results vary depending on where someone lives. Like in an urban or suburban area. Commenters online state that Halloween is still thriving, and they still give out candy to many kids.
Adults, though, make up for this. Almost always dressing up as a revealing version of a known character. Events for adults pop up somewhere in the city. Which isn’t something new, as Halloween has slowly shifted to an adult crowd.
“It’s just a fact of life, and one U.S. business has been more than happy to adapt to,” TheStreet states.
Many smaller holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentines, and St. Patrick’s Day are less celebrated. Having decorations in accordance to the theme at least a week in advance, only to get taken down before it hits midnight.
Holidays for some people may be fun or just a normal day. Which isn’t too out of the ordinary, as the marketing for things may shift from age group to age group. The general audience changes over time. Teens themselves find them “too old” to do anything fun anymore. But there is still places and people that hold holiday spirit. Some people I’ve spoken to have had a general answer of them wishing people celebrated things more.
Which I don’t think is a bad idea, cause I find it fun to go all out on costumes, decorations, or anything in general. Having fun shouldn’t be questioned or titled as “cringe”. And I think that mindset is a reason for holidays not being as celebrated.
