The best day to have a sweet tooth

Joy Fan CONTRIBUTOR

Photo: DON’S PHOTOS

Ah, Halloween. All Hallows’ Eve. “Free candy day,” if you’re still young and cute. The only day in which your little siblings can be useful. The only time in which you hope the person at the door thinks you’re younger than you really are. The greatest thing about Halloween is that you get every excuse to do previously unacceptable things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about illegal things. I’m talking about those things that your mom would sigh and shake her head at, or people assume fully grown adults would not have a desire to do anymore.

Eating candy. But not just eating candy. I’m talking about eating so much candy that you will question why you even like sugar and if you can afford to get the 203,948 new cavities filled (and with your dental plan, you can; not sponsored!). Halloween is the time to eat so much candy that you have to search, “How much candy can I eat before I get diabetes?” on Google. Just in case. Sure, you can buy your own candy at any time, and sure, you can eat it too, but it tastes so much better when it’s free and only costs your blood, sweat, and tears, and only takes three hours to obtain.

The history. This one is a double-edged sword, because I don’t like being told the history of Halloween. But sometimes getting to start with, “Did you know…,” and following up with some cool obscure fact about Halloween you read somewhere on Wikipedia that one time in the fifth grade, is fun. This is also the only time when my memory serves me well and properly as it should. (Did you know that Halloween begins the observance of Allhallowtide?)

The scary movies. Just kidding. I actually hate this one, but I tolerate horror movies a bit more on Halloween because at least the mood is set, right? But if you drag me to watch a scary movie on a regular Tuesday, then I will definitely cry. If I watch a horror movie during Halloween, I’ll still cry, but a little less so.

The costumes. The reason this one is great is because Halloween always tests the limits of my creativity and laziness. I love seeing other people’s elaborate costumes that they made, or something fun they bought, or those hilarious blow-up dinosaur costumes someone always has. But for myself? I’m that clever, snarky (aka lazy) person who we all secretly hate a little, who has dressed up as “indifference” for the third year in a row. If I’m wearing a gray shirt and jeans? Mark Zuckerberg. If I have eyeliner on me? Draw on some whiskers and I’m an earless cat. Looking the same as I always do? I’m an undercover cop! Halloween is a place of limitless (or should I say BOUNDLESS) opportunities, whether you dress up properly or not, and I’m all for equal opportunity.

Did I mention the candy? It’s great getting candy for free, but it’s even greater being able to stock up on your candy for the year after. Kick off November with another dose of too much sugar and a little bit of self-loathing afterward! You can leave those New Year’s resolutions for January.

Overall, I love Halloween. It’s a day where you can be anything you want to be, and you get free candy for doing it.