It’s Time to Move Halloween to the Last Saturday in October

Halloween isn't the NFL. It shouldn't own an entire day. If Thanksgiving (the 1 or 1A of holidays) floats, then so should Halloween. Last time I checked, ghosts float, and they're a big part of the night! It's time to move Halloween to the last Saturday in October. Let's be perfectly clear, Halloween sucks four out of every seven years. We'll exclude the leap year math which may throw off the count a bit.

When Halloween falls between Sunday through Thursday it's brutal for parents. They have to scramble home from work so that you can make sure your kids are dressed warmly enough. Make sure their costumes are on and not ripped, and most importantly be there to walk the neighborhood with your kids. Nobody wants to be the house with the please take one sign on a bowl of candy, because you know some jerk teenage jerk is going to dump it all into their bag. You shouldn't have to jump through hoops for the candy holiday.

Other than the pains parents go through this night, the kids are expected to walk around while getting a pillowcase worth of candy, only to be told, "You can have a couple pieces then it's time for bed. You have school tomorrow." What kind of crap holiday is that for kids?

If we move Halloween to the last Saturday in October, it also makes Halloween a better party night. Halloween parties just don't hit the same on weeknights, or the week before. Imagine if Friday was Halloween Eve and Saturday was Halloween. You could throw a bangin' Halloween party on Friday night. Recover Saturday morning so that you're ready to give out candy and/or take your kids around the neighborhood. Then when they come home they can stay up a bit, and eat their candy knowing they (and you) have off the next day for an awesome football Sunday. I mean come on! It's a no-brainer. Let's get the whole country behind this movement! Make Halloween a better night for kids and parents alike.

Thank you for coming to this TED talk.

Halloween is the time of year when spookiness takes center stage, and creative costumes rule the streets. It’s also the day of the beloved tradition, trick-or-treating. Whether you're a kid dreaming of a candy jackpot or an adult admiring the neighborhood's costume creativity while handing out treats, it's a highlight of the year.

However, you'll always find that one neighbor who likes to shake things up by handing out something other than candy. It's not always a bad thing, though. Some people do it for a good reason, like considering kids with dietary restrictions. But if you're considering going outside the box, you should avoid certain trick-or-treat handouts.

Let's talk about the Halloween horrors, the stuff no one wants in their trick-or-treat bag. First on the list are those infamous toothbrushes or dental floss packs. Halloween is the one night a year when kids can indulge in a sugar frenzy, and suddenly, you're handed a dental hygiene product. It's like being told to eat your veggies at a birthday party. Then there are the homemade treats. While some homemade goodies can be delicious, receiving unlabeled, homemade treats can make even the bravest trick-or-treater think twice; also, most parent's won't feel comfortable with that and may dispose of them. All of your hard work will go to waste! Safety is paramount on Halloween, and unwrapped or unlabeled edibles can raise concerns.

Another item to avoid is pennies. They're not even worth the trip to the store, and they make you question if you've accidentally stumbled into a time machine back to the 1950s. If you’re going to give out money on Halloween, make it worthwhile if you can swing it. While Halloween is all about surprises, pennies are definitely not the kind of surprises anyone hopes for.

Take a look at some of the worst trick-or-treat handouts for Halloween.

Keychains are handy, but they're not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that's sweet, not stuff for keys they don't have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.

We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It's a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It's like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it's not exactly exciting.

Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they're seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they're exciting/cool enough). Unless, you're giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.

Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren't exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They're hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.

Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don't make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don't really make the cut.

Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that's not Halloween.

Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid's stash of treats, you're basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it's safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?

Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That's just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it's not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it's just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child's candy.

Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don't really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you're trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.