As October’s chills descend and homes glow with eerie Jack-o’-lanterns, the excitement for Halloween is palpable almost everywhere almost.
In the quiet suburbs of Kent, Rae Radford, a 61-year-old grandmother and social media influencer, is a stark exception.
Radford, known for her candid views online, has stirred a fiery debate by branding Halloween as “a complete waste of time and money.”
Her opinion has sent ripples across social media, drawing both agreement and strong backlash.
Radford, a mother of two and a grandmother, doesn’t mince words when it comes to her dislike for Halloween traditions.
Speaking with MailOnline, she said, “It puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on families in these already tough financial times.
It’s another stress, but for what reason?” For Rae, the pressure extends beyond just costumes and candy.
She points to what she calls a “fashion show” culture, where Halloween has become an expensive popularity contest, leaving parents feeling compelled to spend on elaborate costumes for their children.
“Kids compete with each other and wonder, ‘Who wore the best shoes?’ which is especially harmful when the cost-of-living crisis is considered,” she remarked.
Beyond the financial strain, Radford finds fault with Halloween’s trick-or-treating ritual, which she claims sends conflicting messages to children.
The Kent resident expressed frustration, noting the irony of teaching children not to accept candy from strangers for most of the year, only to turn that lesson on its head come October 31st.
“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 explained.
Radford’s distaste for the holiday’s “scary” elements is not only financial and ethical but also emotional.
“My daughter-in-law remembers watching “Scream” when she was just 8 and couldn’t sleep without a light on for years after,” she shared.
For Rae, the underlying fear factor of Halloween is more harmful than festive, leaving long-lasting impressions on young minds.
“There’s a knock-on effect with these things,” she noted.
As for the quintessential Halloween decoration, the pumpkin, Radford has strong feelings.
While she acknowledges the charm they add, she’s unimpressed by the culinary appeal.
“No one likes pumpkins anyway. What can you make with it? Pumpkin soup is awful,” she quipped.
Interestingly, Rae’s anti-Halloween stance is not shared by everyone in her household.
Her partner, whom she describes as a Halloween enthusiast, takes a more welcoming approach by leaving a stash of sweets outside for trick-or-treaters.
“He leaves loads of sweets outside [the] entrance, but it’s an absolute no from me—I’m pulling the blinds down!” she shared, adding a playful nod to their differing views on the holiday.
The online reaction to Radford’s views has been split.
Many commenters resonate with her, with some echoing her concerns about Halloween’s financial and ethical implications.
Others were less receptive, dismissing her views as overly negative.
One commenter wrote, “It’s just a bit of fun, you old grouch!” while others expressed similar sentiments.
On the other hand, there were users who sided with Radford, stating that Halloween “doesn’t belong in this country” and sharing their own strategies for avoiding trick-or-treaters.
Interestingly, statistics show that Halloween spending remains strong in the United States, though it’s expected to dip slightly this year.
Last year’s spending reached a record-setting $12.2 billion, while this year’s figure is estimated at $11.6 billion.
Despite the anticipated decrease, Halloween continues to be one of the most celebrated holidays, with 72% of people participating this year, only a slight drop from last year’s 73%.
Whether Rae Radford’s Halloween skepticism marks her as a lone critic or a voice of reason amid the excitement, her outspoken stance has clearly struck a nerve.
Bringing new perspectives to a holiday that most consider merely fun and festive, she has sparked a conversation on what Halloween truly means to people, especially during financially trying times.
Featured Image Credit: (www.be nlister.com)
