OCT 31, 2024 | FEATURES | By Megan Neton
The best time of year has arrived. The air is crisp, the leaves are falling and each step taken is accompanied by a nice crunch. Most importantly, the ubiquitous pumpkin spice lattes are being sold at every coffee shop you stroll by. With the changing seasons, comes the spooky holiday, Halloween, and with Halloween comes nostalgia, costumes and plenty of candy.
When we were younger, it was a competition to have the best costume at school. As an overly competitive child, I always tried to win. As I look back on a few of my own costumes: a cow, Hermione Granger and a pirate, I cannot help but reflect on the changing seasons of both life and the weather. We are no longer knocking on doors and hoping the nicest house on the block has king size candy bars. Instead, we get ready with our friends to have a night to remember, and depending on the amount of alcohol you consume, a night to forget.
While reminiscing on the days of watching “Girl V. Monster” and carving pumpkins with my siblings, I find it both strange and funny to think about how different Halloween feels now. This past Friday, I was walking the halls of Loomis 3rd floor (the best place on earth) when I encountered a Magic Mike. Who knew my first time encountering an exotic dancer would be in my freshman year dorm? Except, this Magic Mike happened to be a freshman girl, headed out for a fun night on the town. Unfortunately, for her, there was absolutely nothing going on.
For the past few weeks, I have had nearly the same conversation everyday. It consists of someone asking, “What are you going to be for Halloween?” I tell them I am going to be Adam Sandler every night of Halloweekend. I feel as though I should admit and tell you that last Halloween I was also Adam Sandler. I usually just forget Halloween is coming up and by the time I want to buy a costume it’s always too late. But I just tell people I’m not into “consumerism,” and Adam Sandler works for me, and it probably will for foreseeable Halloweens. However, I have enjoyed hearing about and will enjoy seeing the creative costumes that fellow Colorado College students will be wearing next weekend.
My roommate and our friend were discussing their joint Halloween costume while I was lounging in my lovely dorm bed (thanks to my mattress topper). They decided on Felix and Oliver from Saltburn, a movie I refused to see after hearing whispers of bath water and graves. They spent all of Saturday running around the Springs trying to find antlers.
Another friend of mine is taking inspiration from Aquamarine, a movie I watched religiously with my sisters from ages five until seven. Unfortunately, Jeff Bezos may put a stop to the unique take on a mermaid costume. Amazon can be unreliable, especially when there are 18 million other U.S. college students ordering costumes for what they secretly hope to be the best and most unique night of their lives.
I encourage everyone with creative taste buds to explore costumes beyond the status quo. While, yes, this may be slightly hypocritical because of my costume choice, I think that the more creative, the better the experience. I ran into someone this weekend and was surprised when she told me she was going to be the Lorax. Not only is her costume unique, but also she will be comfortable and warm. The lows for next weekend are in the 30s. Bring a coat….Or don’t. But in my opinion, no outfit, even the one you picked out in September, is worth risking a mild case of hypothermia.
I hope next weekend is filled with candy, friends, and good times. Make your night out one to remember. A night you will look back on in 20 years when you are chasing your kids around the neighborhood and thinking to yourself, “Those were the good old days.” Oh, and don’t forget to turn on “Halloweentown” at least once to reconnect with your inner child.