Trick-or-treating is iconic. Children and adults alike have been celebrating it since 1898. It’s a staple of Halloween and, for many, the best part of the holiday. However, since the mid-1990s, a new version of the childhood candy grab has been taking over — trunk-or-treating. Originating in California, this trend raises the question: How do these two Halloween activities compare, and how much of an impact are they having on each other?
Trunk-or-treating is an alternative to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, usually held by churches, schools or cities. Instead of going through an unpredictable neighborhood, the event takes place in a controlled parking lot where people park their cars and hand out candy. The vehicles are often decorated with themes ranging from cute Mickey Mouse scenes to frightful skeleton displays for the season.
Many people choose trunk-or-treat for the peace of mind and safety that a single, well-lit location offers. Traditional trick-or-treating has carried a stigma for years due to horror stories about hazardous items or drugs being placed in candy. “Many people now hate the idea of trunk-or-treating and claim that it ruined Halloween,” says TikTok user Danny Rayes.
It’s been observed that fewer children are out on Halloween night showing off their costumes as they go door to door in their neighborhoods. Many say that’s because parents don’t want their children approaching strangers’ doors. Unfortunately, it may also be because people just don’t trust others as much nowadays.
Although Halloween has fallen in the middle of the week for the past few years, it’s still surprising to see how rare it is to find even a single trick-or-treater out on Halloween night. Even before 2020, people still went out regardless of what day it was. Clearly, there’s been a decline in excitement around the holiday.
Trunk-or-treat also contributes to the oversaturation of Halloween. Many big events that mimic the holiday, complete with candy and decorations, are held days before Oct. 31. Because of that, some parents don’t feel the need to take their kids out again on Halloween night since they’ve already collected candy.
This shift is largely due to the new generation of parents. Many today lean toward helicopter parenting and worry about safety on the streets. With how busy parents are, weekend events feel easier and safer than traditional trick-or-treating. Families are also smaller now compared to the 1980s and ’90s, which changes how the holiday is celebrated.
Still, there’s hope that the tradition could make a comeback. Since this year’s Halloween falls on a Friday, maybe the spark of classic trick-or-treating will return. If not, in any way you celebrate, have a Happy Halloween!
