Disclaimer: The opinions in this article reflect the views of the author alone.
When I first heard about trunk-or-treat, I thought it was one of the most ridiculous ideas imaginable. It seemed like the Halloween version of a participation trophy.
What’s the thrill in simply moving from car to car in a parking lot, automatically getting free candy? Back in my day—the mid to late ’90s, so not that long ago!—you had to muster the courage to approach a stranger’s front door, ring the doorbell, say “trick or treat,” and only then would you earn a piece of candy.
For those who may not be familiar with trunk-or-treating, here’s a brief overview. It’s often considered a “safer” alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Generally, a group of parents gathers their vehicles in a parking lot, decorates their trunks in various themes, and hands out candy while children in costumes walk from car to car.
Although trunk-or-treat was first mentioned in 1994, it didn’t really take off until the late 1990s.
Today, we see an increasing number of trunk-or-treat events, especially in the days leading up to Halloween.
I can admit when I’m mistaken, and I was wrong about trunk-or-treat.
There are numerous advantages compared to traditional trick-or-treating, and it’s not just that there are often enough events to gather a decent candy stash before Halloween.
Not everyone has the opportunity to trick-or-treat on a charming, tree-lined street, so trunk-or-treats give kids a chance to enjoy a Halloween tradition in a safe environment.
Additionally, families with young children or those with disabilities aren’t burdened with long walks or navigating inaccessible sidewalks.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, trunk-or-treat events can easily be moved indoors or rescheduled. No harm done! You can’t really do that with traditional trick-or-treating—November just doesn’t have the same Halloween spirit.
