Trick or treat

Halloween is mostly for little kids.

With Halloween merely a day away, many teens remain uncertain about their plans for October's big event.

"It is strange to think that Halloween is here already," says Dylan Stiegemeier, 18, a freshman at North Idaho College.

Teens are scrambling to come up with last-minute plans for a holiday that seems to have been created for the enjoyment of grade- school children. As kids grow up, trick-or-treating loses its appeal, and teenagers must use creativity to have a good time.

Amid all of the costume making and candy shopping, some area teens are apprehensive about Halloween.

"There's nothing for teenagers to do," sighs Esther Kitt, 17, a Gonzaga Prep junior. "I can't even remember what I did last year for Halloween . . . it was just another night of the week."

Most teens can relate to Kitt. No longer children, teenagers sometimes grow out of the holiday they used to cherish. As teens mature, they become preoccupied with acting cool. Knocking on a door with a three-foot Pokeman at your side could potentially ruin your image. Instead of actively participating, teens would rather reminisce on how much fun Halloween used to be -- when they were the coolest Ninja Turtle on the block.

The spookiest aspect of Halloween is that, being hours away, some teens are still unsure about what they're going to do. Luckily, for the undecided, opportunity awaits. Have a positive attitude about the holiday and take advantage of an opportunity to have some fun.

"Halloween is what you make of it," says Brandon Studebaker, 17, a senior at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho.

Even though most teens are too old to go trick-or-treating, they're never too old to have fun. With such an attitude, Studebaker will most likely have an awesome time. Leave home without your coolness on Tuesday, and make your best effort to have an exciting, safe holiday.

With that said, you're pumped up and ready to call all of your friends. But before making any plans, hang up the phone and read on.

I have surveyed local high school students in search of the most entertaining ways a teen can celebrate Halloween. If you are sweating about tomorrow, use the following suggestions as a guide to year 2000 Halloween success! Drum roll, please.

Teenagers will use any excuse to throw a party, and there is not a more convenient time to do so than on a holiday. So start the invitation list and make costumes! Oh, and a tip that applies to almost every teen: Have Mom make the brownies, because you know the baked goods can make or break a party.

"I recommend getting together with your best costumed friends to watch a corny, scary movie," says Chris Schinzel, 17, a Gonzaga Prep senior.

Schinzel was part of a poll taken for Halloween movie suggestions. The top three movies to rent for your party are: "The Exorcist," "Halloween" (duh), and "The Shining." By the way, "Hocus Pocus" came in dead last, if anyone was wondering.

Now that you have Mom baking the treats and the movie reserved, Halloween activities must be addressed. Act like a kid (again) on this one, and be as creative as possible. Pumpkin-carving contests, costume judging, and dancing on a wooden, strobe-lit floor are excellent possibilities. All Halloween plans are last-minute at this point, but try to throw together whatever you can.

Yeah, yeah, you saw this one coming, but the topic must be addressed: Sobriety is essential for the safety of your party.

"You don't need to drink to have a great time," advises Ryan Yoder, 17, a junior at Lakeland High School.

Unless you want your friends to go home dead, for real, keep away from even the most minimal amounts of alcohol (please).

If you have not made plans and do not have the time or resources to throw a cool party, the following suggestions are for you:

Grab your dad's flannel shirt (you certainly would not want to get yours dirty), a pair of baggy jeans, some work boots, and a large brimmed hat. Now, put everything on and make yourself the most convincing scarecrow possible. As the sun goes down and the kids start to arrive, dim the porch lights and plump your body over a chair.

"I call it pumpkin duty," says Amanda House, 17, a Gonzaga Prep senior. "I sit with a hose, waiting for hoodlums to steal pumpkins or bully trick-or-treaters."

You may have more fun giving out candy than you ever had collecting it. Dress up in costume and amuse kids as they come to the door. Assuming the position of candy-giver is like watching a parade. You never know who's coming around the block, but it's always fun to find out.

To keep yourself entertained, comment on the kids' costumes, and demand that they do tricks before giving away a treat. Handing out candy is ideal if you're friendless for the night or you want to stay warm.

Believe it or not, teen-specific events are happening on Halloween. Youth groups are throwing parties, schools are supervising haunted houses, and local organizations are funding charity events. Some teens are lucky enough to already be involved in such events, and I wish I could tell you where to go. For the most part, though, these activities are held privately for a specific group of people. The event organizers have planned the occasions accordingly, and they would be unprepared for a large influx of strangers. In order to become involved in organized activities, contact your (or a friend's) school or church to gain more information.

"It would be nice if the community would have more public events for teens," suggests Sarah Waller, 19, a North Idaho College sophomore.

A Spokane radio station, KZZU, does operate a haunted house near Interstate 90 in Post Falls. And a pumpkin-picking festival is open to the public in preparation for Halloween at Green Bluff. But within Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, the local Halloween events cater to little kids.

Even if you and your friends already have plans, consider the following oxymoron: charitable teenager. For many teens, the idea seems foreign, but consider being a person for others this Halloween.

I take my cousins and little brother trick-or-treating on Halloween. Katherine Howell, 18, a Gonzaga Prep senior, adds that she has no problem getting candy because she is with little kids. If you have a younger sibling, niece, nephew or cousin, ask them what their plans are and see if you can help. Even if you ask the neighbor kid, the Halloween on which you help a child will be more memorable than the Halloweens you spent taking a child's candy.

One final note before you finalize Tuesday's plans: Become a kid again. You can have just as much fun as you ever had in the past. With creativity and an open mind, you can make Halloween fun, says Waller. Even if you have not gained any rousing ideas from this article, please remember that you do not have to be a child to enjoy Halloween.

Copyright 2000 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.