Hi, I’m Alissa and I’ve never been trick or treating. This is how I imagine I will introduce myself to a group of people when I am forced to share some sort of shocking revelation. It’s true, even as a kid I’ve never been trick or treating. I grew up in a very fundamental church that was full of homeschoolers like myself. Part of the secret homeschool oath is that you be as weird as possible and we exceeded expectations. I never really understood was Halloween was until I was a teenager. Super confusing. Why is there so much orange candy? So you mean to tell me that suddenly stranger danger MEANS NOTHING and parents let their kids go up to someone’s house to ask for candy? Okay, sure, uhuh. That definitely doesn’t sound sketch at all?
Top: EXACT / Scarf C/O Social Manor HERE / Shoes: HERE / Jeans: HERE / Bag (Madewell): Similar, Similar
So what did I do instead of Halloween? My church always held a “Fall Harvest” party and we weren’t allowed to dress up. It was put on by the church’s youth group so when I was a child I would get to participate and get prizes and as a teenager I was responsible for my own booth. It wasn’t until like four years after my last “Fall Harvest” party that I realized the really cool kids (i.e. not homeschooled kids, there were like three) that were rebellious would sneak out afterwards and get to legit trick-or-treat without their parents knowing. (COOL! In addition to finding out I wasn’t cool, I was also totally unaware of what was going on.)
Top: EXACT / Scarf C/O Social Manor HERE / Shoes: HERE / Jeans: HERE / Bag (Madewell): Similar, Similar
So here’s the deal: I’ve never dressed up, never knocked on someone’s door and I’ve never been to a Halloween party. Because this is such a quintessential part of an American childhood, I get weird this time of the year. I have nothing to contribute and all of Pinterest is suddenly not relevant to my life. I’ve gotten invited to Halloween parties as an adult but feel ridiculous saying this would be my first party. Plus, what do you do at an adult Halloween party? This year I have one party invite (and supposedly one more coming) but I think I’m going to wimp out. Womp. Womp.
Fast forward to today and I live in a historic area that goes ALLLLLLLL out for Halloween. The first time I saw a house covered in cobwebs and some skeletons I legit thought there was like a mini-cult happening at their house. It wasn’t until my friends (not from my childhood) told me that it’s actually quite common to decorate for Halloween. In fact, much to my shock, people have adults-only costume parties once they get too old to blatantly ask for candy from strangers. To my shock, someone knocked on a door of a house I was in last Halloween and I legit had no idea what the heck I was supposed to do! (I hid inside and pretended to not be home) (Stupid decision because they all knew that trick) Did you know that it is incredibly hard to tell adorable kids in costumes that you don’t have candy? Even for a hardened person like me I felt like the worst human saying I didn’t have anything.
Top: EXACT / Scarf C/O Social Manor HERE / Shoes: HERE / Jeans: HERE / Bag (Madewell): Similar, Similar
Honestly part of me wants dress up in a costume this year because I think the Instagram photos would be lit. (I say that wishing I was kidding but we all know I’m not) So, yep, I’m 25 and I’ve never been trick or treating. Maybe next year I will actually dress up. I feel like because this would be my first time dressing up there is so much pressure to have a “first costume” that knocks it out of the park.
P.S. I need your opinion! Right or wrong? After the age of 12 you should be cut off from asking people for candy. Period. Dunzo. Nope. Nopers. At that point I feel like you should be contributing to society or something and not asking for handouts. You’ve got to learn life is tough at some point. I’m currently rooting for you all to agree with me because I think that I am right. However, whatever your opinion, we can all agree that November 1st Target clearance is LEGIT.
Alysa
Teenagers are still children and I’d so rather they go trick or treating than be at some drinking sex party at 14, y’know? I don’t judge. But they gotta be wearing some kind of costume haha otherwise no candy
Rachelle
I think you should totally dress up and yes the ig photos would be LIT lol. Loving all the Fall hues.
xo
Pinksole
Lauren
I think I stopped trick or treating when I hit high school, so I don’t typically expect to see kids over 14 or 15 trick or treating. But I’m not going to deny them if they get all dressed up! You should definitely get dressed up one year. It’s fun! I used to love going to Halloween parties but now we’re trick or treating with our little one, which might actually be more fun. 🙂
Fizz and Frosting
Tara
I could see you having so much fun dressing up! Pick something fun and go for it! This top is so pretty on you and such a great color!
KatWalkSF
You need to go trick or treating! It is a must!
Please dress up and experience it…at least once!
-Kat
http://www.katwalksf.com/
Nikki
OK I seriously do not even know what to say right now… I LOVE HALLOWEEN (even though I hate scary things)!!! And the fact that you missed out on so many years of Halloween amazingness breaks my heart. We always had the day off the day after Halloween (All Saints Day, big Catholic Holiday … also known as my birthday), so we did Halloween BIG. It isn’t the same anymore. Kids don’t seem to go door to door like we used to. Sad.
So this year you need to watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,” “Hocus Pocus,” all 8 Harry Potters, make several Halloween themed treats, get several pumpkins, decorate and dress up. Even if you stay at home and wear your costume. Oh and eat lots and lots of candy. Maybe borrow a child and take that child trick or treating (I do think perhaps you might be beyond the age of solo trick or treating without weirdness…) When I was little I would go trick or treating, then I would spend hours and hours (sometimes days) organizing and re-organizing my candy in a giant Caboodle. It was awesome. But then I didn’t want to eat the candy because I spend so much time organizing it.
Now, go complete your Halloween to do list!
xoxo
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Taylor - Lights Camera Catwalk
I love this outfit girl! And you are not alone, I kind of hate Halloween!
Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com
Adeline Longer
Oh God, the heels! You look great!
Love,
My sweet paradise blog I Bloglovin’
Emily
I don’t normally comment on the blogs that I read, but I have many thoughts on this.
1. Your outfit this week is awesome – that color looks really good on you!
2. I did not trick-or-treat as a child. Not for churchy reasons, but because we lived in the country and my parents were hella lazy. We got to dress up and we went to a movie every year.
3. You need to dress up, at least once. Don’t go trick-or-treating, but dress up and hand out candy to the little kids. It’s a lot of fun.
4. I do not give candy to kids without costumes. I give non-candy (stickers) to kids with sub-par costumes (usually the middle schoolers who phone it in). Kids with great costumes get extra candy.
5. I think kids in high school should not be trick-or-treating – not because they are “too old”, but for safety reasons. They travel in large groups and usually end up causing a ruckus. I also think that kids that are too young to say “trick-or-treat” should not be going door-to-door. I can’t stand it when parents carry an infant to the door to collect candy. Really? If you want it that bad, buy it yourself – that baby isn’t going to eat it!!
Emily
I had a friend in junior high who had a similar background to yours (except she went to a small Christian school and wasn’t homeschooled). I remember when Halloween came around and I asked her if she wanted to go trick or treating, she told me she didn’t because of her religious beliefs and upbringing. I grew up in a very………..shall we say apathetic? Catholic household. Apathetic is the key word here.
Adult Halloween parties = drinking.
I think it’s ok to continue trick or treating after 12! Maybe it’s time to stop after high school. I know I haven’t since high school, and I haven’t really had a good costume since then either.
Closet Fashionista
Wow! Not sure I’ve ever known an American who’s never been Trick or Treating. But the Fall Harvest party sounds fun (except that you couldn’t dress up.) I’ve never been to a Halloween party as a teenager or adult though so we’re in the same boat there. I have costume ideas that will never be worn but it’s still fun to think of who I’d like to be, haha. (Sailor Jupiter, Megara from Hercules and Willy Wonka are the top 3 right now…haha. But I only have a costume for 1)
I think i was 14 the last time I went ToTing haha…but yea 12 or 13 is a good age to stop. Once you hit your teens
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Lyddiegal
I say you get to trick-or-treat as long as you’ve put legitimate effort into the costume. When you are an adult and going to adult parties and you want to just cop out with a lame pair of cat ears than fine. Anyone knocking on my door expecting candy had better bring their A-Game.
But that is seriously sad that you missed out on costumes and trick-or-treating as a kid! You can still have a lot of fun celebrating Halloween as an adult though, and you should totally dip your toes in the water and go to a party this year!
I never get invited to parties, so I’ll just be home passing out candy this year.
http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/
Beautygirl24
Here’s what “adults” do at parties for Halloween, or at least the ones I’ve been to – they get drunk LOL. And it’s usually pretty weird seeing people getting drunk while wearing some crazy costume. Then when your friends have children, it’s all about the kids. I used to love Halloween but now I’m over it. Just want to stay home and be in my pjs while drinking wine in peace :;)
Laura
Yes, once you hit 12 no more trick or treating. It’s not about the fun of dressing up and going out with your parents anymore, it is only about the candy at that point. I am in love with your top and scarf by the way. Love the monogram!
Jessica
You should try dressing up once. It’s so fun! I don’t really care what age someone is when they trick or treat as long as they wear a costume.
http://tresfly.blogspot.com/
Kathrine Eldridge
This look is so cozy chic! I adore that monogrammed scarf and the leopard pumps add a cool touch. Beautiful look!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Ginnie | Hello Little Home
I didn’t really trick or treat as a kid either since we lived in the country, but we went to a few relatives and there was usually a school or church party or two. However, when my best friend and I got our driver’s licenses, we drove to the nearest big city and trick or treated. It was so fun, but yes, we did get people that told us we were too old. 😉 You should totally dress up and go to those parties … you’ll have an awesome time!
Rach
Girl don’t give yourself the pressure about dressing up. That’s what makes Halloween fun, you can dress up whatever you want and no one will judge! I think it is worth a shot!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Jennifer
Such a cute outfit– you are just adorable! PS: You must experience trick or treating at least once!
xo, Jennifer
http://www.publicistinpearls.com
Marta
I’ve never been trick-or-treating either but not really a big deal to me, I did always dress up for Halloween though and I helped hand out the candy so that was lots of fun. You are looking so cute in these pretty fall colours!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
Stylehue
Love you colorful Fall look 🙂 I did not really do trick or treat either when growing up. It’s not really a big thing in Norway, at least not when I grew up.
I would say if I lived in the stated I would not allow my kids to go trick or treating, at least not without a parent
xo
http://style-hue.com/
Patricia Fuller
I can just picture you in some all out Halloween costume, answering the door and leaning over with a basket full of candy to give the little ones. I think you should do that at least once. Mainly because I want to see the pictures of you in your not so average costume. I mean I know you would go over the top, picking out a totally unknown character and dressing up down to the detail. You will look stunning, because you are going to share the pictures. Another thing, be sure & pick up candy you yourself truly love because there is nothing so depressing as being all adult like & resisting candy all the way up until Halloween and then treating yourself to an all out binge to the leftovers. What, you say? Have I ever done that? No! That’s totally weird that you would ask…..anyway, buy some chocolate and some candy corn and you’ve got it covered . Maybe some sprinkles to throw up in the air when the evening is done because we ALL know whats a party without sprinkles!
Whitney S
I love Halloween. It’s one of my faves (4th of July is my all-time favorite!) I even went trick-or-treating when I was 6 months old. I always loved dressing up, and I still do! I think around the time I was 10 or 11, I stopped trick-or-treating. Now, that I’m an adult, I love it even more and have been more creative with my costumes over the past three years. It’s going to be hard to root this years’s! At adult Halloween parties, you drink and get drunk. My friend has ones and there’s about 30+ people yheee (it’s a huge group). Lots of my friends also have kids, but the party is on the Saturday before Halloween. On Halloween, they take their kids trick-or-treating! I think as an adult, it just gets more fun!
Shauna
I think you should definitely dress up! I know I still do, and I have no shame in that game! On another note – loving that pretty scarf!!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Shannon
Omg I cant believe you have never been trick or treating! Well actually I can because I have a friend that grew up with similar values as your family, but yes I vote next year you need to dress up and make it epic! Its so much fun! Also youre looking amazing as always!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Laura Mitbrodt
What a cute fall look! I love your scarf and shoes
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Maryam
You look so cute! Love your shoes.
xo, Maryam
http://www.glamandposh.com
Floortje
Well you’re not the only one dear! In Holland we don’t do trick or thread, not even a proper Halloween. That’s why I always throw on my own party tho haha Love your outfit btw!
Xx,
|| FLOORTJELOVES ||
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Rosy
I’ve never been trick or treating either, I’ve also never dressed up for halloween, but, I do make a feast and watch scary movies 🙂
Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
Rosy
I’ve never been trick or treating either, I’ve also never dressed up for halloween, but, I do make a feast and watch scary movies 🙂 🙂
Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
Shira
I never got dressed up either or went trick or treating in my life… mainly because I grew up in a religious Jewish home haha! I never felt too left out though because we have a different holiday in march where we dress up. 😉
http://asequinloveaffair.com
Elizabeth Seal
Your blog is so darling and lovely, and your photos so dreamy! I love your outfit 😀 my mum never let me go trick or treating, I think there are only a handful of people in my area that do so but it’s mainly teenagers just having a laugh. It sounds a lot more fun in the US!
P.S Just wondered if you might be interested! I am currently giving away the Too Faced Grande Cafe Gingerbread palette 😀 xx
elizabeth ♡ ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara
Elizabeth Seal
Oops, so sorry if my comment posts twice! Your blog is so darling and lovely, and your photos so dreamy! I love your outfit 😀 my mum never let me go trick or treating, I think there are only a handful of people in my area that do so but it’s mainly teenagers just having a laugh. It sounds a lot more fun in the US!
P.S Just wondered if you might be interested! I am currently giving away the Too Faced Grande Cafe Gingerbread palette 😀 xx
elizabeth ♡ ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara
Samantha
Halloween is fun, but you really aren’t missing out. Cute outfit! Love that plaid scarf!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Karen
If middle and high school kids are dressed up, why not? In fact someone made a good point about this the other day. They are not out partying or getting into trouble, I think it’s some innocent fun, and it should be encouraged.
Sauniya
I grew up in Cameroon (central Africa) and we don’t celebrate Halloween there so I never been trick or treating either. We celebrated All Saints day and that’s all I knew until I moved to the UK to study. I lik ehte dress up part of halloween though, it is fun.
I think trick or treating is a fun thing for the kids, but 12 is a bit old for that activity.
You should totally dress up this year, it’d be fun 🙂
BTW, Lovely pictures. Nice outfit, I really like your shoes. 🙂
xo
Sauniya | Find Your Bliss ♡
Amy
If you lived near me, I would totally tell you to come trick or treat at my house! I say you go to a Halloween party too! Loving these fall colors on you babe.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Beauty
I love your thoughts and Muse on Halloween and just like you, I’m in my late thirties and have never dressed up for Halloween. I was born and raised in West Africa in a Christian home and we never celebrated or wore costumes because it is not a popular holiday in Africa. Also, the irony of it all is that; “it is my birthday on Halloween..”
However, I do a regular birthday celebration with my family and few friends on Halloween but we never dress up in costumes or put up Halloween decor. I do hand out candy to the kids that come to the door though…😃
Thanks for sharing.
Beauty
Lovely outfit you have on here. I like the mix of prints in the scarf and shoes.
Jalisa
You look so beautiful, girlie! I love that scarf, it looks so good paired with those leopard pumps, too! I wasn’t home schooled, but didn’t celebrate Halloween much as a child either because I’m a messianic Jew (basically a Christian Jew) and same as you, we never celebrate the holiday. So, my advice to you would be this, do what you feel deep down to do. Don’t feel pressured or weird that you’ve never celebrated before and do it for that reason, especially if deep down you don’t feel right or don’t want to. Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you’re having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Zelle
It’s been yearssss since I’ve trick-or-treated but we definitely looked forward to it each year! I don’t like scary movies and I don’t like crazy decor so my decorating for Halloween usually includes a few pumpkins and mums haha (aka fall decor!) hope you decide to dress up and be sure to post on Insta if you do!
Zelle
Southern Style
Madison McQuary
Ok, this post was the best Alissa because I can totally relate…kind of…I was homeschooled as well and our church and friend groups did have fall festivals in leu of trick or treating, but we actually did dress up. I have always loved the idea of creating a costume and I oddly miss that part of being younger because now I don’t have fall festivals to go to or parties and thus have no excuse to dress up like Mary Poppins or Dorothy from Wizard of Oz!
-Madison
http://www.minniemuseblog.com
Jessica
Haha…I love your description of Halloween! I LOVED Halloween growing up. My mom always made our costumes so they were really good. I loved Halloween so much that I kept trick-or-treating until I was in High School! hahaha… In my opinion, if you put effort into a costume then you deserve to get some candy! I think you should definitely give a grown up Halloween party a try and dress up! It can actually be really fun! Just make sure you are going to the right kind. Drunk parties are never that interesting but if you can find a low key one where the adults pass out candy to the kids it’s really cool!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
thehautecookie
such a cool scarf- you are so fall chic! xO!
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Kylie Mavrakis
Okay, first- how did I miss your new site design?? I LOVE it. Second- you’re just the cutest. You should definitely dress up and do fun Halloween things! My friends and I are being “party animals” this year. AKA wearing fun party dresses while also wearing ears and animal makeup.
xo Kylie
http://www.dressinsparkles.com
Rachel
You look cute Alissa and my husband didn’t trick or treat growing up either because of his dad being a pastor and because of their homeschooling too. Now my husband LOVES trick or treating. You can totally throw a Halloween themed party without drinking and just focus on games, costume contests, etc (this is what we did before kids) and it was SO MUCH fun! Goodluck! and I hope to hear about your Halloween.
Rachel xo
http://www.garaytreasures.com
Mercy
Love the styling, the scarf and the top blend perfectly.
http://www.busyandfab.com
MVAP Blog
Loved the scarf!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
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Lacey Bean
I think I stopped trick or treating at 12 or 13. And I’m not super taken aback by you never trick or treating – I grew up in an area with a lot of orthodox jews and they don’t celebrate Halloween. We were the only house on the block that decorated and the little kids would be amazed by everything – that part was great.
Ashley
You definitely need to get a costume this year and hit a party to make up for lost time. 🙂
Love the scarf- the monogram is perfect!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Hannah
Now I feel totally ridiculous saying that the last time I went trick or treating was when I was 19 years old. I never missed a year because, hey, free candy!
Unless you’re Heidi Klum aka the Queen of Halloween, I don’t think people would give you much grief for your first costume. Dooo itttt! (I’m trying to sound like one of the rebellious homeschoolers because let’s be real, I was one!)
Hannah | The Outfit Repeater
Mel
I cannot believe that you never got trick or treating, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year especially with all the costumes and candy 🙂
http://www.pennyanddash.com
Jill
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I think you should dress up – I think you would have fun with it!
Love your monogram blanket scarf!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Jenna
Oh my gosh I know the whole “homeschooling oath” too. I have been trick or treating many times, yet loved those festivals at my church, and opted for that most of the years. So awesome that you were homeschooled, I really loved it. SO happy I found your blog, it’s just darling.
xoxo,
Jenna
Naelle
Stunning 🙂
Naelle from paris..!
http://www.once-in-paris.com/en/xo-xo-gossip-girl/
Angel
its ok if you don’t really feel like it 🙂 do what makes you happy and to hell with other people. That being saif, halloween can be fun too!
Sara Strauss
WHAT?!?!?! I’m so sorry that you missed out on how fun Halloween was as a kid! Dressing up, competing for the coolest costume at school, having a mini parade in elementary school, going around your neighborhood with your friends to get candy and then eating it all in one night. It was awesome! You’re never too old to dress up! You should take a kid that you know trick or treating! 🙂
I love your top! The color is gorgeous on you!
~Sara
Viviene Kok
I’ve never been trick or treating too! Halloween isn’t a ‘thing’ here in Malaysia but hey it would be fun to do it one day! Love how you say ‘Orange Candy’ just like me hahaha 🙂 One a side note, your leopard printed shoes are really adoable 🙂
Real Life Nerd
http://www.vivienekok.com
Kelsey&Kenecha
I went trick or treating until I was 14 or 15. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. It was something fun to do.
Jacqueline
Loving your scarf! I hope you dress up for Halloween! It fun to to someone else or something for a night!
xo,
Jacqueline
Stylin In St. Louis
Emily
My parents never took me trick or treating, but I went once with friends and wore an ugly Scream costume someone gave me. Wasn’t a great experience and haven’t dressed up for Halloween since! I wouldn’t mind dressing up again someday but I’m usually too lazy to put an outfit together haha. You look gorgeous in these photos!
xoxo Emily
https://www.ditchtheheels.com
Alissa
Thank you Emily! LOL, that sounds like it would really sour me from wanting to dress up again for Halloween too!
Ashley
I love Halloween and dressing up!! I think my mom has a picture from every Halloween from the time I was born until I went off to college. I dressed up every. single. year. But I totally agree that after 12 kids should be done trick-or-treating! I was! I hung out in a neighborhood last night with friends and we had at least 200 kids come by for candy. And we got rid of over 500 pieces of candy. It was insane. PS I super love your scarf! You look fab girl!
xox,
Ashley
Alissa
OMG! That’s so much dang candy, I would want to eat so much of it myself too.
Hillary
I welcome anyone who wants to ring my bell and wish me a happy Halloween during trick or treating hours. I don’t care about their age or whether they have costumes. Ir’s just nice to have people from the area stop by. I’ll give any of them candy. The costumes are a fun bonus! I encourage you to hand out candy on Halloween. It’s fun to see the neighborhood kids and adults. I rarely see my neighbors otherwise, and last night, I had so much fun just answering the door, wishing people happy Halloween, and giving out candy. I just moved to the neighborhood earlier this year, and it was the first time I met most of them. I really like your blog! Thanks for the post!
Alissa
Awwwww, you would be the best person to get candy from! This made my day!
Sydney
Your monogram scarf is so adorable!!
xo, Syd
anchoredinthesouth.com
head to toe chic
I’m not into halloween, but you should dress up sometime! I think I stopped trick or treating when I was in middle school.
I love your plaid scarf!
xo,
Angela
Annessa
Wow that’s crazy! You definitley need to dress up at least once, it’s so much fun! They don’t really celebrate in Germany so I was kind of sad I missed out this year. I think trick or treating is fine for teanagers – much more innocent than other things they could be doing!
annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
Adi
I can’t believe it!! Why not dress up next year?
And I love the look, especially the scarf!
Adi xx
fancycorrectitude.com
instagram.com/fancycorrectitude
Priya Pappu
I grew up the same way- so I was sure to sneak away to my best friend’s house my freshman year of high school to get the experience!
How fancy are you with your monogrammed scarf? Looking good girl.
Whitney James
Honestly, I can count the number of times I’ve dressed up for Halloween, using like one finger. LOL! You’re not alone.
On the other hand, I LOVE your outfit, especially the shoes and handbag. Very chic and stylish!
~Whitney
http://www.whitneynicjames.com
mansi_colossalcloset
I have no clue about been trick or treating as i was a tomboy during my school and college days. Later got engaged at an early age. I am sure it must be a wonderful stage of life where people are behind you and around you. By the way i Love your shoulder slit top and your smile is cute…:)
http://www.colossalcloset.in/aifw-ss17-grand-finale-ootd-lookbook-zaful/