Rediscovering the Magic of Halloween (Without the Pressure)

I want to start by saying that I absolutely love Halloween.
Fall is my favorite time of year, and Halloween is my favorite holiday — well, favorite “holiday you don’t actually get off work.” I love everything about it: the atmosphere, the decorations, the crisp air. I love seeing kids in costumes, walking the streets, the excitement in the air.

And honestly? I’ve always loved Halloween so much that there’s ghost décor in my house year-round — not just in October.

When the Magic Starts to Fade

But hear me when I say this: I don’t love what’s happened to Halloween.

It used to feel so magical and fun, and now… it’s lost a bit of its glimmer.
Part of that is just growing up — I don’t see the world through my childlike eyes anymore, and that’s normal. But more than that, I think we’ve over-commercialized Halloween.

Like we do with every holiday, we’ve turned it into something to buy rather than something to experience. And when we start chasing every new “must-have” item or trend, we end up creating unrealistic expectations — for ourselves, our homes, and our families.

The Cost of Over-Commercialization

There’s always something new to buy — the costumes, the décor, the matching family outfits, even the treat buckets that somehow break every year.

Remember when we used pillowcases for candy?
They were durable, simple, and could handle an impressive amount of sweets. I still do this with my daughter because I’m a pillowcase girl through and through.

Now, it feels like we’re constantly told we need the next best thing — the fancy buckets, the trendy “Boo Baskets” filled with goodies, or elaborate lawn displays. And all of this just adds more to our already full plates.

The Invisible Load of Halloween (Especially for Moms)

Let’s be honest: most of this “Halloween magic” falls on the shoulders of mothers.

We’re the ones planning the day — deciding when to go trick-or-treating, coordinating with friends or grandparents, checking the weather, making sure everyone’s fed before the sugar rush begins.

And it’s a lot.

I remember my daughter’s first few Halloweens feeling stressful. The first one, she was a newborn, so it was easy to let go of expectations. But as she got older, I found myself falling into that pressure again — trying to make everything “perfect.”

Now that she’s three, I’ve been intentionally dialing things back. If she only goes to a few houses, that’s okay. If she doesn’t want to wear her costume, also fine. Halloween is supposed to be fun — for her and for me.

Letting Go of Expectations

So here’s my reminder (for you and for me):
You don’t have to do Halloween a certain way.

You don’t have to keep up with what you see on Instagram or what other parents are doing. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, someone will always have an opinion. People will judge no matter what — that’s just part of life.

So do what feels right for your family.
If you don’t want to buy all the new stuff, don’t.
If you already did, no guilt — just release the pressure to make it “the best Halloween ever.”

Your kids don’t need perfection. They need you — present, relaxed, and willing to have fun alongside them.

What I’m Doing This Year

This Halloween, my daughter will be a princess (because she already has the costume and loves it). If she changes her mind last minute — that’s fine too.

A friend is coming over to help hand out candy while we walk around for a bit. I’ve put up a few decorations, nothing extravagant. And as she grows, I want to create decorations with her — because that feels more meaningful than just buying new ones each year.

Remember What It’s Really About

Halloween is supposed to be fun.
It’s not meant to send you into debt or leave you exhausted trying to meet impossible standards.

Those Instagram-perfect moments? They’re often just ads trying to sell you something. You don’t need to buy it.

So, however you celebrate — big or small — I hope you have a Halloween that feels good for you.

A Gentle Invitation

As you head into the holiday, take a moment to reflect:
What kind of memories do you actually want to create with your family?
What expectations can you let go of this year?