“Happy sweet sixteen! Happy Halloween!” was what I was greeted with when I walked into my first hour. It’s funny to hear them both being said together, something no one’s ever done before. I guess that it’s accurate though. I was born on Halloween, and it’s been proven to be quite a good day to have a birthday on. I know other people who have much less fortunate holidays to have birthdays on- take Christmas for example. No one wants to get anyone two presents on the same day. I consider myself lucky- when I was younger, I got to celebrate my birthday, and then go out and get free candy from random people, now I get to watch over my little sister as she trick-or-treats, after fussing over her costume. I have actually been asked quite a few recurring questions about what it’s like to have been born on the spooky day, so here are my answers for all of you!

“Did you tell people that it was your birthday when trick-or-treating to get more candy?”

Actually, I didn’t, though I’m sure some would’ve given me extra sweets. I was kind of a shy child, and I also thought that I’d sound demanding and rude if I ever told anyone. So, I just never bothered. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, free candy is still free candy.

“What’s your favorite part about having a Halloween birthday?”

Probably when people find out it’s my birthday and remember it. People who are just acquaintances know my birthday because it’s such an easy date to know. I used to say my birthday was on Halloween, before I knew the actual date (because I was a lazy child and didn’t know 10/31 for a while), and people would understand.

“What’s your least favorite part about having a Halloween birthday?”

This answer is something I know others can relate to. You know when stores start putting Christmas decorations up a week before Halloween? Yeah, that. It’s like, can you please wait until it’s over before changing the black cats into reindeer, and costumes into fake trees? Also, on a lesser note, Halloween parties are great, but it’s really hard to plan any birthday parties around them if you don’t do so early on.

“Are there a lot of people whose birthdays are on Halloween? It seems like it.”

I’ve gotten this a lot, surprisingly. There are lots of Halloween babies I know. I mean, there are only 365 days in a year, it’s bound to happen. Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, was born on the 31st. That was the reason I joined Girl Scouts for that one year in fourth grade.

“Do you have really elaborate costumes?”

Regrettably, the answer is no. I wore the same spider costume until I was about 8, since it had a giant fluffy stomach and cool spider legs. On year I went as the princess from the Never-Ending Story. That got a lot of blank stares. I went as a vampire afterwards, and cut fangs that fit over your teeth out of white straws- now that was a fun costume. I don’t even really know what I’m going as this year. My sister, on the other hand, has an extremely elaborate, homemade owl costume. She has white hair dye and face paint especially for the occasion. I kind of wish I had her enthusiasm about Halloween, actually.

“Do you like horror films because of your birthday?”

NO! Contrary to popular beliefs, I am absolutely terrified of the tiniest things. I used to have nightmares about my brother’s Hot Wheels set. I’d hide behind the couch whenever the barracuda came to eat Coral in Finding Nemo. Just because I was born on Halloween doesn’t mean I like being scared. And I’m not a person who flees with the fight or flight response (I’ve thrown a water bottle at someone’s face- long story), so be warned if you want to try and get me with a jump scare.

And with that, a happy Halloween (or belated Halloween) to you all, and thanks for reading!