Don't Save The Date

After taking a few years off from the holiday, I've really gotten back into Halloween over the last couple of years. I never used to care about whether or not we put out pumpkins, now I find myself spending the two weeks before Halloween agonizing over what to carve. I give most of the credit for this re-invigoration to the next generation coming along because, let's face it, Halloween is a holiday for kids. They make everything about it more fun. Therefore, everything should be done by adults to make it easier and more enjoyable for kids and their parents. That is why I think is it great that Connecticut State Rep. Tim Larson has introduced a bill to move Halloween to the last Saturday of every October. Finally, a lawmaker who has the best interest of people in mind.

Having Halloween permanently on Saturday makes so much sense. Kids are out of school (but they can still wear their costumes to school on Friday, which I know is a big deal) and most parents don't have to work. This way families can start trick-or-treating when they are ready, not rushing to get everything ready when they get home from school or work and then cutting the fun short because everyone has to get up early in the morning. Also, I think it would be safer because there would be fewer people on the roads during rush hour, which is when most kids are out. And for us slightly bigger kids it helps with the planning of Halloween parties, as they could be on Friday with Saturday and Sunday to recover. Everybody wins.

I'm sure there are those among you out there who want to remind me that Halloween started out as a religious holiday. This is true. Originally you were supposed to dressed up as a saint in honor of All Saints' Day on November 1st. But when was the last time you actually saw any kids dressed up as a saint? I'm sorry to be the one that has to report this, but that ship has sailed. I'm not even saying the holy day changes, just the run-up. You can still celebrate All Saints' Day on November first, but now you do it without a sugar hangover and sticky fingers. Besides, it is not as if I'm advocating moving Christmas. Catholics shouldn't be so tied in to dates anyway. Easter is the most holy day on the calendar and that moves around every year. We don't need to pretend these dates were an edict from God himself.

The problem for people who want to keep Halloween on the date and not the day of the week is that every few years we are reminded of how good it could be. Halloween fell on a Saturday in 2008 and it was awesome. Unfortunately, it isn't going to going to be back on a Saturday until 2014. That is just too long. This year it's on a Monday and it kind of stinks. It's like having a really great meal and then being told you can't make it again for another six years. That is why Halloween should be moved to the last Saturday of October every single year. Frankly, it shouldn't take an Act of Congress to do something that makes this much sense.