As a twiggy 8-year-old in the midst of Hallows’ Eve, I remember shaking in my cheap little costume before these grandiose haunted mansions adorned with terrifying figures and ghostly lights. To me, the scaredy-cat child I was, the wonder of Halloween was far more than the candy, it was facing my fears, braving through a path of jumpscares and grotesque horrors, to receive a sweet reward. When I look around Munster today, that wonder has vanished. Aside from the six or seven all-out houses I’ve seen, most are either completely barren or playing it safe with their cop-out inflatable pumpkin.

Ever since my family settled down in our current home, we’ve been Halloween fanatics: we set up a makeshift candy chute for the pandemic, hooked up projectors, covered every inch of greenery in cobwebs and nearly attempted to frankenstein together a homebrewed animatronic. Even when I grew out of trick-or-treating and the like, the spirit of Halloween remained in the sheer creativity and togetherness that we poured into each decorative decision.

Each year, my household extended their hands to the neighborhood’s youth; last year, only 9 kids came to our doorstep. Now, my family scoffs whenever I mention decorating the house: “Nobody comes, so it’s a waste of time.” Seeing my parents forfeit the highlight of the season is more than upsetting.

I’ve concluded that the key to Halloween is symbiosis; the amount of enjoyment among adults affects children. So, what’s causing the lack of cooperation? Are neighborhoods simply more hostile? Are families attending trunk-or-treats in church parking lots instead? Do preteens with unrestricted internet access think they’re too cool? Whatever the reason, there’s one thing I can say for certain: in this town, the authentic art of Halloween is dying at an alarming rate.

The first step to reviving Halloween is pulling the dust-covered decorations out of your storage bins and getting to work. Use the materials you have at your disposal with merit and an innovative mindset. Even if your family lacks trick-or-treaters, your participation is forming the holiday memories of Munster’s children; keep it fun for them, and make it fun for yourself by inventing new ways to scare them half to death.