Halloween was once the most exciting event in people’s childhoods. For one night out of the year, parents would let their children dress up as outrageous characters and eat all the candy they wanted, for once not lecturing about the dental effects of Twix bars.

Kids would compare costumes with their friends and run through the neighborhood on an endless sugar-high, reveling in the freedom of being out at night without being called in when it “got too dark.”

Although children inevitably grow into older and (debatably) more mature teenagers, the rebellious, mysterious mood of Halloween remains just as exciting for many of them as when they were younger. But despite these enthusiasts, more and more kids and even parents argue that there comes a time when a child just becomes too old for Halloween. This begs the question, when is an appropriate Halloween cut-off age?

“I think 12 is a good age to stop being so into Halloween,” senior Amanda Moerbe said. “Once you’re a teen, trick-or-treating becomes kind of awkward.”

This view is shared by many high school students: that although Halloween activities were fun, they were childish activities that should at some time be put in the past. Other students who are still excited about Halloween have a hard time finding things to do or people to be with on that night because many of their friends are dismissive of it.

In addition, high school students are faced with a much greater homework load than that of their elementary or middle school days, and since Halloween often falls on a school night, it becomes a nuisance rather than a source of fun.

“It’s hard to make plans because I have schoolwork to get done,” junior Isabella Gandara said. “Halloween isn’t really a priority anymore.”

The people who do still enjoy Halloween, however, are adamant in their opinion that it is a night that matures along with the participant. Some teens decorate their houses elaborately and help their parents hand out candy. Many of them also get creative with costumes and throw parties or watch horror movies with their friends, replacing the trick-or-treating of their younger years.

“It’s even more fun when you’re older because a lot of people have cars and you have more freedom,” junior Lauren Meeker said. “It feels more rebellious, even though a lot of people think it’s just for kids.”

Ultimately, the cut-off depends on how people value the unique atmosphere of Halloween night and how they perceive it: as a childish night full of small children and the “trick or treat” refrain, or as a creative, mysterious night full of different possibilities.

“I don’t think there is a cut-off at all,” senior Alina Jafferbhoy said. “I guess it just depends on how much you like it.”