There are endless reasons why Halloween is objectively the most iconic holiday to celebrate. 

It’s not just a night—it’s a month-long culture. If you aren’t excited for Halloween two weeks in advance, then you simply aren’t taking advantage of the season. 

The world is different in the weeks leading up to All Hallows Eve. Christmas lights on neighbours’ houses can’t compare to the fake tombstones on every lawn and plastic witches that cackle when you walk by. Pumpkins show up on each doorstep and every single event has to have “spooky” somewhere in its title. 

Hundreds of years ago, our ancestors agreed that in the transition between October and November, the link between our world and the spirit world weakens, allowing the dead to walk the Earth once more. To prevent themselves from being harmed by these spirits, our predecessors disguised themselves as ghosts and skeletons to hide their being human.  

What’s great about living in the 21st century is that costumes come ready-made and the dress-up possibilities are endless. You’ll definitely scare away those demons by dressing up as Jughead from Riverdale demons. Or a block of cheese. Or a sexy nurse. Trust me, the spirits are quaking.

Making your own ridiculous costume is so much fun because you’re spending a week of your adulthood doing socially acceptable arts and crafts. If your Halloween plans include a group costume, you can show everyone the close bond you have with your friends—with the added benefit they can’t abandon you at the club this time. 

Once you’ve hot-glued your butterfly wings onto your shirt from Value Village, you get to see everyone else in their costumes. Substances aren’t necessary—seeing Spider-Man drunkenly argue with Tinker Bell outside of Stages is a trip in itself. It’s also the one time of year you get to dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller and do the Monster Mash in public. 

But partying isn’t all there is to Halloween. 

Personally, the quieter Halloween activities are my favourite way to spend October. Bring on the blankets, spiced hot chocolate, and poorly-scripted Family Channel movies—and make sure you’re with a friend who doesn’t tell everybody that you cried at the end of Casper.

Halloween is a magical time when bad movies become brilliant. If children’s movies aren’t your thing, there’s no end to cheap horror movies. The best ones have actors from the ‘80s you’ve never heard of and blood obviously made of corn syrup. 

There’s always that one friend who wants to watch movies like The Ring that will actually scare them. Now you know which friend to be wary of in the future.

While sitting on the couch to marathon masterpieces such as Twitches Too, bulk candy is a must. Superfoods and clean eating are all the rage now, but you know who breaks their diet on Halloween? Absolutely everyone. (Pro tip: eating 20 mini Coffee Crisps will still feel like less calories than one regular-sized Coffee Crisp.)

Of course, if you’re spending your Halloween in a more residential area, you have the blessing of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. This is the perfect opportunity to watch the world’s cutest fashion show and encourage the next generation of Halloween enthusiasts. 

Reward the more creative children with one extra pack of gummy worms—it teaches them work ethic. The parade of six-year-old witches and Batmans will never stop being charming.

Halloween is the one time of year everyone agrees magic exists. If you’re a Halloween Scrooge, go dig out that one orange sweater you have at the back of your closet and go to a pumpkin patch right now. Everyone on Instagram will love the aesthetic. Or, if you want a more low-key evening, turn on a spooky party playlist as you do the dishes. 

I urge everyone to cherish the spooky season while it’s here. After Halloween comes November, and all you’ll be left with is discount candy and precious memories.