Has the age-old tradition of trick-or-treating been slowly dying? Since quarantine, many trick-or-treaters across the nation have taken less and less interest in trick-or-treating.

 In addition, the essence of Halloween in general seems to have less of a presence in the following years. But why is this? As said before, the quarantine played a massive role in halting Halloween. With a mandatory lockdown, every kid had no other choice but to stay home. But even in the years following the lockdown, the number of trick-or-treaters still has yet to recover. But we have to ask ourselves, do we as adults view Halloween as a tradition due to the nostalgic memories we have as kids? 

When asked about the effect nostalgia plays into our view of Halloween, high school spanish teacher, Erin Robbins, states “Yes, it is a large effect in our childhood and therefore likely has a lot of nostalgia tied to it.”

 Most of the fun of Halloween is delegated to children with most adults either hanging out, going to parties, or watching movies. All of these events are fun, but not directly related and connected to Halloween as Trick or Treating is. Prompted with the question of declining school spirit, high school student, Edward AlBanna ‘26 states, “As we get older, yes, because it becomes “childish” and not thought of as adult enough for kids our age to do.” 

Although trick-or-treating is only for kids, older demographics still find ways to enjoy the Halloween season. Hollis Brookline student Phillip Berke ‘26  stated that there are still Halloween festivities you can go to. 

While the number of trick-or-treaters today is a far cry from what they were years ago, the Halloween spirit is still very much alive. With more and more people getting out to trick or treat each year since the lockdown, slowly but surely, the age-old tradition is slowly making a comeback.