foodperson.com

Who loves Halloween? I do. It’s the rare holiday where the emphasis is on simple pleasures: candy, carving and costumes.

(Yes, I know there are some real ghouls that you have to look out for, but I can pretend it’s not so. )

In anticipation of tonight’s big event—officially declared by the mayor (most years, but I can’t find this year’s declaration, if any) as Halloween Beggars Night—I bought candy and a pumpkin. And, happily, my daughter and nephew got pumpkins and joined me for pumpkin carving.

Aren’t they cute? (The people, I mean.)

Tonight, I’ll put candles in the jack-o-lanterns and stand ready to hand out sweet, individually packaged industrial candy. (Handing out is essential; goblins tend to grab by the handsful.) It will be great. A chill is in the air, the dog will be beside herself with the doorbell ringing, and I’ll be charmed, once again, by the big-eyed little ones and the over-eager medium-sized ones and amused by the too-big ones who hate to give up this rite.

Yes, the candy promises empty calories, promotes tooth decay and generates excess trash—but sometimes it’s worth it. This is one of those times, worth it for seeing the kids’ glee, who’s grown most and which parents got to go out, which stayed home. (The preferred assignment depends on the weather; this year looks to be a draw.)

My light will be on until the candy runs out.