Keeping the Halloween Community Spirit Alive

Lentini has seen a fluctuation of trick-or-treaters in the last few years and says it depends on where you live. "My former neighborhood always left me with piles of leftovers, but last year, our new neighborhood practically cleaned us [out]," Lentini said. "We had groups of kids coming and going for about two hours, not nearly as many as there seemed to be in my neighborhood when I was a kid, but still a respectable number."

In smaller towns, the spirit of Halloween is still going strong. Amber Mckay-Glinski , a resident of New Boston, Mich., says while she has noticed fewer households participating in Halloween these days, it is still a huge event in her neighborhood, and there is definitely a community effort to spook it up and entertain the kids.

"In town, the fire station hands out cider, donuts and hot chocolate," Mckay-Glinksi said. "There are many hayrides and party trains that always join in on the fun. Most folks go in large groups with their kids, and in town, it is like a reunion every year. We usually run into many folks from high school."

From the evidence in party stores and costume shops, people still thrive on Halloween and look forward to celebrating the artistry and effort of little trick-or-treaters who knock on their front doors. These festive Halloween enthusiasts encourage kids by decorating their yards, dressing up in costumes and stocking their homes with enough sugar to hyper activate the dead. But what do these neighborly candy-giving patrons have to say about the Halloween spirit coming from the kids?

Cincinnati resident Jason Sparks is not impressed with recent trick-or-treaters that come to his front door.

"Whatever happened to the good costumes?" Sparks said. "Halloween is about witches and warlocks, ghosts and goblins. When did Britney Spears become Halloween? And I'm sorry, but a pillow case, ripped-up jeans, a white t-shirt and some facial makeup do not constitute a Halloween costume. Trick or treating is for kids, not teenagers who just want free candy."

So, the spirit of Halloween goes both ways. It takes a good neighbor to perpetuate the haunt and provide candy, but it also takes genuine trick-or-treaters who actually put forth some solid effort into their costume. Traditionally, that's the deal. The spirit of Halloween is, after all, a mutual effort between neighbors to bond the community through combined generosity and imagination. If it's just the candy you are after, go buy a bag for yourself at the store.