When it comes to holiday-related movies and specials, Halloween falls short. Sure, there's the annual rebroadcast of the classic "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," as well as the handful of teen slasher flicks that are sure to be aired leading up to the big day. But that's about it.
Christmas is the king, when it comes to movies and TV specials, with everything from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "A Christmas Story" to "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Elf" delighting viewers every year.
But perhaps the most classic of all Christmas classics is the oft-remade Dickens tale, "A Christmas Carol."
There is nothing in the world of Halloween entertainment that matches the quintessential richness of "A Christmas Carol," with Ebenezer Scrooge getting visited by Christmas ghosts, and learning the true meaning of the holiday.
But if they ever did try to make a Halloween version of this story -- "A Halloween Carol," if you will -- I think the Scrooge character could be based around me.
You see, I'm not a big fan of Halloween. Halloween is considered by many to be the second most popular holiday of the year; but for me, it's well down the list. I would much rather be shooting off fireworks, eating turkey or hiding eggs than dressing up in costumes. While I see folks all around me getting super excited about the holiday, I find myself thinking, "bah, humbug."
I don't think I've been interested in putting on a costume since I was about 10. I just don't see the fascination in trying to be someone other than myself. You see a lot of local folks at area workplaces, who really get into the costume idea, and I'll admit -- many of the costumes are pretty clever.
But such things are not for me. Running around all day in a costume just seems kind of off-putting and awkward to me. I'd much rather just be me.
I have no religious or spiritual problems with the holiday, mind you. And I have some great childhood memories of dressing up and going trick-or-treating. One year, I was Darth Vader. Another year, I wore a really cool skeleton costume my mom made me. When I think back of the Halloween nights of my youth, I have warm, fuzzy memories of the sight of kids traipsing up and down the streets. Coming home at the end of the night and spreading my candy haul out on the living room floor was always big fun.
And I still like handing out candy to kids. Who can resist the sight of a bright-eyed youngster -- dressed up as a princess, or a ninja, or a Power Ranger, or a witch -- holding out their bag in anticipation of some good candy?
I'll only have one child trick-or-treating this year. 13-year-old Katie gave up the act several years ago. For 10-year-old Drew, I think it's more of the quest for candy than the chance to dress up. But he is fairly excited about the zombie get-up he'll be wearing.
But if for some bizarre reason, we had to get rid of one of traditional holidays, Halloween is one I'd be ready to cut. Do we really need to dress up in costumes and prance around our neighborhoods and workplaces? Do we really need to feed our kids bags of candy in this era of obesity? Do we really need to spend oodles of money on costumes, just so little Johnny or little Cindy can be the cutest cowboy/ninja/ladybug/princess on the block? Do we really need to spend hundreds of dollars decorating our homes with pumpkins, lights and inflatables every October, just to replace them a few weeks later with hundreds of dollars worth of Christmas decorations?
Call me a Halloween Scrooge if you want. It's probably fair. I'm no fun. Maybe it's going to take a visit by the ghosts of Halloweens past, present and future to set me straight.
But as it stands, I'm just not that into Halloween. When it comes to holidays, the year is filled with a whole lot of better celebrations, if you ask me.
About the only holiday worse is Valentine's Day. Don't even get me started on that one.
aweld@blythevillecourier.com