Old in age, young in spirit: When to stop trick-or-treating

Every Halloween, the same old, tired debate rises from the dead like an ugly zombie: how old is too old to trick-or treat?

Of course, as you all know by now, I have a lot of opinions. So, I decided to take it upon myself to squash this debate once and for all because obviously my opinion is the right opinion. 

I am sure you are all wondering, what is your opinion? 

Personally, I think people are way too dramatic about this debate. Trust me, I know dramatic. Seriously, if someone puts on a costume, decides to walk around the neighborhood, and nicely says “trick or treat,” who am I to deny them of a solid fun-sized Snickers? In my opinion, high schoolers are 100 percent fair game. Honestly, I think college students should get a pass, life is stressful enough. If a 20-year-old wants to dress up as Shrek and collect free candy for one night, I say let them live. What is the big deal? 

The argument that trick-or-treating is only for little kids has never really clicked for me. Teenagers could be doing a whole lot worse than walking around with their friends dressed as superheroes and movie characters. Every year people complain about "those big kids at the door," but I would much rather hand out candy to teenagers having harmless fun than listen to people act like Halloween has an age limit hidden somewhere in the Constitution.

That said, I do think there is a point where things get questionable. Once you are a grown adult with a full-time job, a car payment and lower-back pain; showing up at a random person's house with a pillowcase for candy starts to feel less festive and more like a strange life choice. At some point, you have to pass the torch to the next generation. 

My completely unofficial rule is this: if you’re in high school, go for it. If you’re in college, you are still safe. But if you are pushing 30-years-old and knocking on doors dressed as Batman while competing with second graders for mini Kit-Kats, that is a bit weird. 

Not criminal, not evil, just…a little odd…and dare I say creepy?

Of course, Halloween is supposed to be fun, and everyone celebrates differently. But let’s be honest: adults can still dress up, go to parties, carve pumpkins, watch horror movies and purchase a bunch of discounted candy on Nov. 1. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday without emptying neighborhoods of their candy supply.

What is the proper age to stop tick-or-treating? In my opinion, somewhere after college. Until then, grab a costume and enjoy the free candy. After that, it might be time to become the person handing it out (no, seriously).