Last week I was watching an evening news broadcast on network television. On the program was a story on a growing trend in the United States. That trend, you ask? Halloween.

The program presented statistics and numbers showing that Halloween is the second most costly holiday in the United States, just behind Christmas. It also detailed the rapid growth of haunted houses—with profits across the country nearing one billion dollars per year.

Why has Halloween and its popularity grown? Why are Americans more and more active in celebrating as the years go on?

As a kid, I went from door to door trick-or-treating, hoping to get as many KIT KAT bars as I could. Eventually, neighbors stop giving candy to older kids and you have to hang up the costume for good. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen the other side of Halloween.

Costumes are still involved, and candy comes in liquid form.

I don’t understand the need to continue to dress up. I don’t need a reason, or holiday, to celebrate and have fun with friends. I have more important payments that have my wallet in a bind, so why would I waste money to do something that I out grew 11 years ago?

I can’t dress up as a goblin or ghost. To me that seems more juvenile than going door-to-door asking for candy. Dressing up like something that doesn’t exist, aren’t we a little too old for that?

There is the ‘candy’ factor, but last time I checked, you didn’t need to verify that you were going to drink your ice-cold frosty one while wearing a costume. As it has been since prohibition was lifted in the United States, any attire is suitable drinking attire.

Holidays and celebrations, for me, are meant for family and close friends to get together with those who don’t see them often. I love parties and social gatherings, but Halloween isn’t one of those circumstances. I don’t want to hang out with those who pretend to be other people or things. I couldn’t take myself seriously trying to communicate with someone wearing a wig and an excessive amount of face paint.

Enjoy your Oct. 31, whatever you do. If you’re into Halloween, enjoy it. I’ll be occupying my time with something else. I’ll find time to have an ice-cold frosty one though, not to celebrate Halloween, but to celebrate that I’ve made it another month closer to graduation.

Isn’t that worth celebrating more than anything else at this stage in our life? Maybe that’s the confirmation you need to finally put dressing up for Halloween in the past. I’m saving that money for my new costume, a working adult with a real job.