3 of 21

Write now Article Tools

Over this past week leading up to October 31st, as I systematically inhale a uber-bag containing a Halloween assortment of M&M's, my mind drifted back to the days of my youth and trick-or-treating in the early 1960s.

First off, back in the 1960s I knew for a fact that my parents weren't buying bags the size of parachutes full of candy to pass out to the tricksters. These 'candy dumpsters' were more of a 1980s incarnation. I think the large candy treats began when my generation began sending our own children out into the October 31st night and felt that the whole experience would be better for the kids if the candy was upgraded and geometrically increased in some way. Bigger is not always better.

Remember, back in the 60's, a trick-or-treater's booty was limited to little bags of candy corn, single pieces of gum, an occasional regular-sized candy bar, (rare as a BigFoot interview), and coins. Living in a congested urban area, it was common for us to walk a mile route and be able to ring hundreds of doorbells. Some apartment buildings had nearly 30 units. Not that they all answered the door, mind you. But many did.

We looked at trick-or-treating as a challenge, a who could 'earn' more candy kind of thing. Our parents didn't accompany us even when we were as young as six. And recalling the demographics of my neighborhood, it's hard to believe that more children didn't end up disappearing completely, in an age before Amber Alerts, GPS cellphones and Internet abuser postings. HOW DID WE EVER SURVIVE?

But we did, save for the apple someone gave you, which you threw away in the alley. I say, let my Dad buy his own razorblades. And some people gave coins as treats. One year I finished trick-or-treating and, emptying out my candy bag I found 27 cents. How about that? If only I would have taken that 27 cents and purchased IBM stock, I would have been able to retire by now. Ah, the world trying to teach the young Mark a lesson and him not listening, even back then.

So Wednesday night, as I hit the platter full of Butterfingers and await a treat-or-treater crowd that will vary from 10 children to perhaps 30, my thoughts will be of the old neighborhood and my challenge of Halloween Night, 1963. An empty bag, a plastic mask and a sugar world - ripe for the picking.

Learn more about this author, Mark Tribbia.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Halloween?
We want to hear your view. Write now!