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61YO Divides Internet After Calling Halloween A ‘Complete Waste Of Time And Money’
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61YO Divides Internet After Calling Halloween A ‘Complete Waste Of Time And Money’

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Most people are gearing up with excitement for the spookiest night of the year—except for one grandmother in Kent, who couldn’t be happier for the haunting celebrations to conclude.

Rae Radford, 61, is a social media influencer who has labeled Halloween a “complete waste of time and money,” and it’s sparked some debate.

Highlights
  • Rae Radford calls Halloween a 'waste of time and money,' sparking debate.
  • She argues Halloween puts unnecessary stress on families financially.
  • Rae equates trick-or-treating to sending mixed messages to children.

According to Rae, all of the holiday’s traditions—such as trick-or-treating, dressing up, and scaring others—can do more harm than good.

A 61-year-old grandmother has labeled herself Halloween’s biggest hater, saying many of its activities are quite harmful

Image credits: Rae Radford Reads

The mother-of-two emphasized her dislike of the chaos before the holiday even began.

She told MailOnline, “It puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on families in these already tough financial times. It’s another stress but for what reason?”

Not only do school trips cost a handful, but Rae feels that some parents compete in a popularity contest during Halloween, at the expense of their own children.

“It becomes a fashion show where kids compete with each other and wonder, ‘Who wore the best shoes?’ which is especially harmful when the cost-of-living crisis is considered.” 

According to Rae, the act of trick-or-treating contradicts all the lessons parents are meant to teach their children

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Image credits: Jill Wellington / Pexels

Trick-or-treating is comparable to begging on the streets, according to the Kent resident.

“You spend most of your year telling your children not to knock on strangers’ doors and not to take sweets from strangers and then, on one day of the year, you go ‘no, that’s fine.’” 

She added, “I hate Halloween. I just think it encourages mixed messages and it’s a waste of money. I can’t stand it and think it’s stupid.” 

Image credits: Yaroslav Shuraev / Pexels

Rae admitted that while she never prohibited her children from the activity, it was also never actively encouraged.

“I have two children, who are grown up now and I have a grandchild,” she said. “When my children were younger, I just told them, ‘It’s cold outside. Do you really want to go?’ and they didn’t. They never went at all.

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“I never made a big thing of it. I didn’t ban it but I didn’t encourage it either, and I didn’t go on about it.” 

Image credits: Yaroslav Shuraev / Pexels

She concluded that if things could go her way, she’d “close the curtains and turn all the lights off to prevent trick-or-treaters,” but that she “[lives] with someone who is really kind so we don’t.”

“My partner loves Halloween — he leaves loads of sweets outside [the] entrance, but it’s an absolute no from me — I’m pulling the blinds down!”

Some comments agreed with Rae, while others weren’t happy with her opinion

Image credits: Freepik

“Wow there’s a lot of miserable so-and-sos on here,” wrote one person, while another agreed, “Oh bore off. The kids love it and [it’s] a bit of fun before the start of a long winter.”

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“It’s just a bit of fun, you old grouch!” a third echoed.

Others wrote that they hated the holiday, as well, saying it “doesn’t belong in this country.” 

“I dislike Halloween too,” a comment read. “I make sure I’m not at home for the trick or treat pests.” 

Statistics show consistently high average spending during Halloween, though this year’s cost is expected to dip from last year

Image credits: Rae Radford Reads

2023’s total Halloween spending reached a record-setting $12.2 billion in the US, according to eMarketer, and this year’s figure is set for $11.6 billion. 

Each consumer will spend an approximate average of $103.63, which is also down from last year’s total of $108.24. The percentage of people celebrating the holiday, however, stays consistent—72% in 2024 versus 73% in 2023.

Rae’s opinion sparked a debate among commenters

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Michelle Tian

Michelle Tian

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast.

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Michelle Tian

Michelle Tian

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast.

Renan Duarte

Renan Duarte

Author, BoredPanda staff

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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Renan Duarte

Renan Duarte

Author, BoredPanda staff

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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varwenea
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she doesn't care for it, just don't participate. No one is forcing her. Dang boomer, just keep scrolling. Meanwhile, I bet she goes all out for Christmas, which is also a fantasy based on a pagan holiday. 😛

P.L. Packer
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP's reasoning is flawed and really lame. Face it, she's lazy and doesn't want to bother with it but feels like she has to make up some politically correct statement about the evils of celebrating Halloween. Just STFU, lady.....turn off your porch light and don't answer the door.

Naomi Williams
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When else can you make someone happy by giving them something that only costs 10-25 cents? Is she consistent with her opinion of Christmas t raditions, which costs way more and causes much more stress?

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varwenea
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she doesn't care for it, just don't participate. No one is forcing her. Dang boomer, just keep scrolling. Meanwhile, I bet she goes all out for Christmas, which is also a fantasy based on a pagan holiday. 😛

P.L. Packer
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP's reasoning is flawed and really lame. Face it, she's lazy and doesn't want to bother with it but feels like she has to make up some politically correct statement about the evils of celebrating Halloween. Just STFU, lady.....turn off your porch light and don't answer the door.

Naomi Williams
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When else can you make someone happy by giving them something that only costs 10-25 cents? Is she consistent with her opinion of Christmas t raditions, which costs way more and causes much more stress?

Load More Comments
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