Growing up, we didn’t exactly celebrate Halloween in the traditional sense. My parents were pretty firm in their belief that Halloween was the “devil’s holiday,” so instead of trick-or-treating, we’d head to our church for a fall festival. We still got to dress up, but only as our favorite Bible characters instead of superheroes or ghosts. It was fun in its own way, but let’s just say it didn’t exactly scratch the Halloween itch for a kid.
As I got older, my siblings and I started to rebel a bit. We’d sneak out, ditch the festival, and try to catch some of that Halloween magic we felt we were missing out on. It became a bit of a family joke — how we didn’t really celebrate Halloween as kids but found ways to enjoy it anyway. Times have definitely changed, though, and now I fully embrace the holiday, especially with my own kids.
One of my favorite Halloween traditions is making a big pot of chili, even if it’s still warm outside, which, let’s be honest, is often here in El Paso. There’s just something about a hearty bowl of chili that makes it feel like fall, no matter what the thermometer says. My son, Winn, and my older teens all get into it, and it’s a blast watching them relive the Halloween fun they had when they were younger, this time through Winn’s eyes.
These days, we stick around the house for trick-or-treating, but our neighborhood is a bit older, so we don’t get many kids. That’s why we usually end up heading over to Kern Place, where Halloween is undoubtedly an extravaganza. The decorations are unbelievable, and there are so many people out and about that you sometimes have to wait in line just to get up to someone’s front door. It’s the perfect way to really kick off the fall season.
This year, we’ve got a fun family theme planned — my daughter, Claire, is going to be Willy Wonka, and Winn will be an Oompa Loompa. We all went to see the “Wonka” movie together, and they’ve been obsessed ever since. I can’t wait to see them dressed up, but only as a spectator. I’m not too sure I could pull off the purple suit or neon orange skin …
Aside from Halloween, fall is my favorite time of year for another reason — football season. There’s nothing like the cooler weather and the start of football to really make it feel like fall has arrived. After the long, hot summer, the change in the air is a welcome relief. It’s not exactly sweater weather, but it’s cool enough to make a big difference, and it just seems to make everything feel a little cozier.
Even my mom, who was once against Halloween, has come around. She’s no longer the Halloween Grinch, and I think she secretly enjoys seeing the grandkids all dressed up and excited for unregulated candy consumption.
So, as Halloween approaches, I’m looking forward to all the traditions we’ve built as a family. From the chili to the costumes to trick-or-treating in Kern Place, it’s a time to relax, enjoy the cooler weather, and make some great memories with my kids. Here’s to another fun-filled Halloween in El Paso!