Isabella McNutt ’27 is a government and history double major, and she is a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She loves traveling, reading and music. Email her at immcnutt@wm.edu.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
Halloween was once a vibrant tapestry of spookiness, where the chill in the air carried whispers of ghost stories, and children roamed the streets in homemade costumes, ready to trick or treat. For many of us, those dark autumn nights were imbued with a sense of adventure and an exhilarating tinge of fear. It was a time when we could step outside our everyday selves and become ghosts, witches or superheroes, if only for a night. However, as the years have gone by, this special magic has begun to fade, replaced by a cautious atmosphere that stifles the very essence of what made Halloween so enchanting. In today’s world, the spirit of Halloween has been choked by an overwhelming desire to protect. For little kids, that spooky scary feeling has been destroyed by helicopter moms declaring that door-to-door trick or treat is too dangerous. We have entered into an era that avoids discomfort at all costs, including the invigorating kind of fear that made Halloween so special growing up. It’s hard to feel the goosebumps of a ghost story when you’re wrapped in bubble wrap and caution.
In college, Halloween evolves into a different kind of spectacle, one that leans heavily on social media and curated experiences. College parties have transformed into an endless parade of photo ops featuring sexy costumes and thematic gatherings, where the allure of the night often overshadows its original spookiness. While it’s undeniably fun to dress up and celebrate, the opportunity to embrace a genuine thrill has diminished. The nights that should evoke eerie tales and heart-pounding scares have been reduced to casual make-out sessions with someone in a Spiderman costume.
What happened to the ghost stories that send shivers down our spines? What about the joy of feeling just a little scared? The allure of Halloween lies not just in costumes and candy, but in the celebration of fear itself — a fear that can be exhilarating and liberating. It’s about exploring the darker corners of our imaginations and facing the unknown, even if just for one night a year. The best memories are often found on the edge of fear, where laughter meets a thrill, and where the darkness is not something to be feared, but to be embraced.
Realistically, we will all still go out in provocative costumes, party and maybe even make out with someone in an unoriginal costume. But even just little moments of that spooky, scary childhood experience can bring back some of that magic. This year, I went to the Blair Scare haunted house in James Blair Hall. I spent maybe 20 minutes walking around the haunted house with my friends, laughing, jumping and getting candy, and it was definitely one of the highlights of my Halloween. I got to be scared, excited and laugh endlessly like I did when that childhood Halloween magic was still there.
So, as we move forward, let’s find a way to revive the enchanting spookiness of Halloween. Let’s embrace the shadows, share ghost stories around flickering candlelight and experience the excitement of a doorbell ringing after a spooky knock. Let’s create spaces where costumes can be silly, scary and everything in between — where the night is a canvas for imagination, and where fear becomes a friend rather than an enemy. In reclaiming Halloween, we reclaim a piece of our childhood magic — even if it’s just for 20 minutes. So, next year, let’s embrace the thrill, share a few ghost stories and remind ourselves that a little fear can go a long way in bringing joy and wonder back into our lives.