Yellow Baron

Halloween

Halloween is one of western civilization’s most ancient and cherished holidays.  Beginning thousands of years ago as Samhain, a Celtic celebration of the harvest, Halloween evolved over the centuries into the fascinating social phenomenon that now dominates American society and culture. Valentines Day on the other hand remains a cheap, superficial excuse for a holiday that has been transformed into a commercial paradise for corporate America. 

There is no question that Americans care far more about Halloween and its traditions than they do about Valentines Day.  Schoolchildren plan their costumes months in advance and go to great lengths to make sure they have the scariest, most original costume on the block.  Even parents seem to relive their youth, spending hundreds of dollars and hours of effort decorating their houses with skeletons and cobwebs.  Halloween also is indicative of an earlier era for America, an era of community spirit and cooperation.  Along with community July 4^th celebrations, Halloween remains the only holiday in which entire neighborhoods are united in celebration and festivity.  It is truly an amazing sight to see hundreds of young children carrying little pumpkin buckets going door-to-door collecting their candies.  Just imagine how empty your childhood would feel without the fantastic costumes, Halloween day parades, and epic candy trades after a long night trick-or-treating.

Since 1950 Halloween has also become the symbol of UNICEF, an international charity that provides emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in underdeveloped third world nations.  The famous “orange boxes” we all have taken with us on our trick or treating routes have, as of 2006, raised over 118 billion dollars.  High school romance versus massive humanitarian relief doesn’t really strike me as much of a debate, (well then again, neither does Halloween versus Valentines Day).

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Orange Baron

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, the universal day of love and affection. People of all ages look forward to this day- cards, flowers, chocolates- and for the adults, the anticipation of a proposal could be underway. Halloween on the other hand, is a day for the children to dress up, go to the neighborhood, and collect candy and junk food. Valentine’s Day is a universal holiday, whereas Halloween is solely for children and the immature.

Stores nationwide rejoice at the idea of holidays, so they can manufacture more goods for the average consumer to purchase. When you walk into a store on valentine’s day, how many red-and-pink colored, heart-shaped items do you see? Hundreds! The number and variety of items is endless-baking ingredients, kitchen appliances, gifts, jewelry, bags, chocolates-the list goes on. For Halloween, there are a limited amount of stores in a single town that sell Halloween related items. These select few items consist of cheap costumes, yard decorations, or ghoulish makeup to cake on your face. Simply put, Valentines is good for the economy.

Let’s look at the after-effects of both holidays,. Although children will rejoice at the idea of free-for-all candy, by the end of Halloween night, they will be sick to their stomach’s with sugar. On Valentine’s day, the food is usually of good quality-loved ones want to make the occasion very special. And, as for chocolate, the  one or two gourmet chocolate truffles eaten are a well deserved treat.

The simple words, “I love you” can make anyone’s day, and what better day to say them on than Valentine’s Day? It’s better than some gaudily dressed child coming up to your doorstep yelling, “Boo!”