After 25+ years of living in Utah, I still haven’t gotten used to this state’s obsession with Halloween. Particularly, the fascination with gore and over-the-top spookiness. Sure, I understand why people love it — some of them anyway. But it’s hard to ignore the feeling that for many of us, it’s more about the stress than the fun.

I totally get why kids go nuts for Halloween. It’s their chance to dress up as whoever they want, whether that’s their favorite superhero or some character from a show I can’t pronounce. And, of course, they get to run around the neighborhood collecting ungodly amounts of candy. What’s not to love? The excitement is contagious; their faces light up, and suddenly the sugar rush begins before you’ve even left the house.

Then there are the 20-somethings. Halloween for them is just a golden opportunity to party — and I mean party hard. Costumes? Sure. But let’s be honest, it’s really about an excuse to have a wild night out. Who can argue with that? They’ve got the energy, the friends, and absolutely no interest in adult responsibilities yet, so why not go all out?

Now, the 60+ crowd has a different vibe altogether. For them, Halloween stirs up fond memories from a simpler time. You know, back when costumes were made from whatever you found in the closet, and trick-or-treating was a much more innocent affair. They love seeing their grandkids experience the magic, and I’ll admit, there’s something heartwarming about that connection between generations. But nostalgia can only carry so much weight for the rest of us.

But for those of us who land squarely in the middle — say the 30 to 50 age group — Halloween feels like a marathon, and not the fun kind. It’s more about the relentless pressure. 

First off, there’s the costume situation. I mean, God forbid your child ends up being the only one at school without an elaborate outfit. And if you are one of these martyrs with more than one kid, increase that stress exponentially. 

Then there’s the mandatory parent competition — crafting cards and gifts for classmates and making sure you’ve accounted for every allergy and dietary restriction.

Don’t forget the decorations. The peer pressure to turn your home into a Pinterest-worthy haunted mansion is real. You can’t be the one house on the block that doesn’t have plastic ghosts or at least a few pumpkins on display. And speaking of pumpkins — there’s the pumpkin patch, the corn mazes, the hayrides. I swear, these are supposed to be fun, but they somehow feel like a full-day commitment I never signed up for.

And there’s the haunted house dilemma. If you’ve got young kids, you already know what I’m talking about. Your 7-year-old will beg, scream, and plead to go into a haunted house that’s way too scary for them. You’ll give in because, well, you’re exhausted. But then comes the sleepless nights because they’re having nightmares of zombies and ghouls jumping out at them. It’s a vicious cycle, really.

And let’s not even get started on the candy situation. Whether or not your neighborhood gets a lot of trick-or-treaters, you still feel obligated to buy a ton of candy. It’s like some unspoken rule. What if one stray kid shows up and you’re the house handing out raisins? The horror!

At the end of all this madness, I’ve come to realize that my favorite part of Halloween is the alcohol. It’s truly a lifesaver when all is said and done. So, October, we’ve compiled a guide to help you navigate the chaos. You’ll find the best pumpkin patches and family-friendly activities, along with some stories about local ghost towns and paranormal haunts in Utah. And, when your kids have finally crashed from their sugar high, you can kick back with a cocktail from one of our local distilleries and savor the quiet.

Have a happy, stress-free Halloween!

Feature image created using AI.