Trunk-or-treating is a newer Halloween event concept said to have started in the 1990s, commonly hosted by schools, churches, local businesses and other organizations. Attendees park their cars in a parking lot, and kids walk up to each vehicle to collect candy. This type of event has been heavily criticized, with some saying it is replacing the classic Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating and that it is the result of parents being overly paranoid and anxious.
The rise of trunk-or-treating is not the disaster you think it is. First, it is usually done in addition to, not in place of, trick-or-treating on Halloween night. It is commonly hosted before Halloween as a community event for kids and families to socialize, eat candy and get a little more use out of their costumes for the year. What kid doesn’t want an excuse to wear their costume and eat more candy before Halloween? It’s very similar, if not the same, as your local community center, church, or American Legion hosting a costume party before Halloween. It’s not replacing the fun of trick-or-treating, but rather adding to the Halloween spirit and encouraging community members to come together and socialize, meet other families in the area and for kids to have fun and make new friends.
Another reason that some people might opt for this type of event is if they live in a rural area. In a rural area with little to no next-door neighbors, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to walk the distance it would take to make a night of trick-or-treating, especially in the frequent cold and sometimes below-freezing temperatures that we see in the fall. This is why you commonly see these types of community events hosted on Halloween in rural communities, as trick-or-treating is not feasible in these areas.
The next reason for trunk-or-treating’s takeover is safety. A common reason some would prefer a more controlled event like this is to keep their kids safe. If you live in a car-dependent neighborhood with lots of traffic, trunk-or-treating or other small-scale events can be a great alternative option. A dark Halloween night with significant car traffic and kids out walking all over the place, not looking before crossing the street, is a road to disaster. If you live on a busy street, it’s not the best idea to let your kids run wild. Some may argue that parents should just watch their kids better, which is true to some extent, but if you have multiple kids, it can be difficult to closely monitor all of them while also allowing independence.
Another circumstance in which trunk-or-treating may be a better option is for individuals with disabilities or other limitations that may make traditional trick-or-treating inaccessible to them. Some children or adults may have trouble walking for long distances or periods of time. Some may have sensory issues, causing a need for a sensory-friendly event, which many communities host. This is a good thing, as oftentimes, kids with disabilities or medical needs are left out of the things other kids their age are doing because of a lack of accessibility. These events can help bring communities together and be inclusive of everyone.
While I agree that the traditional Trick-or-Treating tradition on Halloween night will always be superior, there are several reasons why some people might opt for an alternative. If a family prefers something a little different or has certain needs that would make the tradition inaccessible, they have every right to find an alternative option, while still maintaining the Halloween spirit we all know and love.
