Why Halloween Is My Favourite Holiday
For most people, it’s pretty safe to say their favourite holiday is Christmas. Or Thanksgiving, if you’re in the US or Canada. But not me – my favourite holiday has always been Halloween! But why?
Now don’t get me wrong, I
love the smell of fresh pine from a Christmas tree, cosy Christmas movies on a loop throughout December, and The Muppets Christmas Carol soundtrack playing. But Halloween is hands-down my favourite holiday – and that’s largely because of my dad.
Ever since my sister and I were little my parents (and especially my dad) have gone big for Halloween. Whether that’s Halloween decorations covering our house (inside and out), throwing a Halloween parties at home, dressing up for local events, spooky horror Halloween movie nights, or trick-or-treating through the village. We have always celebrated Halloween in style – and those memories have stayed with me.
Another reason Halloween is my favourite season is simply because I love all things spooky. Younger me grew up watching shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Scooby Doo, and The Addams Family — and I even had the chance to meet Wednesday Addams herself, Christina Ricci, at London Film and Comic Con. As I moved into adolescence, my love for all things spooky only grew, with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Practical Magic becoming firm favourites, too. There’s just something about Spooky Season that makes me genuinely happy.
Why Halloween Is My Favourite Holiday
Fun Decorations
We start decorating our home for Halloween at the begining of October every year. Although, I also keep some “year-round spooky décor” at home – little skulls, witchy pieces, and oddities – but October is when the more “Halloween-style” decorations come out, such as cobwebs and pumpkins. Lots of pumpkins.
Spooky Movies
As I mentioned above, spooky films and TV shows were a huge part of my childhood – and honestly, nothing has changed. Horror is my favourite genre, and I’ll happily find an excuse to watch one any time of yearany time of year, but they just hit differently in October.
Magical Season
There’s something about October that just feels magical. The brisk weather, to the changing leaves, crunching underfoot, and the smell of fireplaces drifting through the air. Everything signals that autumn has arrived. Add in the spirit of witches, ghosts, and monsters, and you can feel the magic around you.
Sweets and Trick-Or-Treating
As a kid, nothing beat dressing up and going trick-or-treating – and it wasn’t just about the sweets. It was the excitement, the atmosphere, and spending time with family and friends.
Now, as an adult, I get to be the one giving out the sweets with my dad. Watching children arrive in their amazing costumes is such a joy, and we always have our Halloween playlist on in the background. Sometimes we even throw in a harmless trick or two…!
Fancy Dress
I love fancy dress – I even have my own “fancy dress kit“! So it should come as no surprise that dressing up for Halloween is one of my favourite traditions. Over the years I’ve been everything from a mummy (literally wrapped in bandages as a kid) to Wednesday Addams as an adult.
Even if I’m not going to a party, I still dress up for the trick-or-treaters. Sometimes it’s a full costume; sometimes it’s just vampire fangs and everyday clothes, and that’s still perfect.
Pumpkin Carving
For as long as I can remember, my dad has carved pumpkins with us every year – and his designs are always so creative, from puking pumpkins to devil horned ones.
When pumpkins start appearing in the shops, picking “the perfect one” becomes a yearly ritual. I love seeing everyone’s pumpkins lining the streets once dusk settles in – and pumpkin carving reels on Instagram. I’ve also always wanted to go to a pumpkin patch – one day!
A No Pressure Holiday
One of the best things about Halloween is how low-pressure it is. There’s no big meal to plan, no gifts to buy, and no expectations. You can celebrate as much or as little as you like.
Want to throw a full-blown Halloween party? Go for it. Prefer to stay instay in and watch films with your partner, family, or even on your own? That’s perfect too.
Halloween lets you be you.
Halloween Activities
From haunted houses and fright nightsfright nights to autumn festivals and garden centre displays, there are so many fun ways to celebrate. Even on quieter years, you can create the perfect night at home with baking, crafts, or spooky movie marathons.
Those are all the reasons why Halloween is my favourite holiday! What do you love about Halloween? What’s your favourite holiday of the year?
