Absent the ghoulish and the foolish, Halloween can be a fun holiday for the young.

Whether dressed as Superman, Batman or Popeye the Sailor Man, many of us have warm memories of trick-or-treating on crisp and cold afternoons and evenings. Leading up to it, there were trips to the pumpkin patch, bobbing for apples, carving and lighting up jack-o-lanterns – and of course, the candy.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has a humorous routine about children’s minds being maniacally focused on the pursuit of candy. He says that’s why the mere concept of Halloween to a youngster is borderline fantastical. “Who did you say is giving out candy?” the child asks incredulously. “Everyone we know? Are you kidding? When is this happening? Please take me with you! I need to be a part of this!”

Across the United States, tens of millions of children will partake of the annual tradition this Friday. The weather forecast is looking favorable for a crisp night of trick-or-treating for the children in our area. Coming on the eve of All Saint’s Day and stemming from ancient European traditions known as “Souling” or “Guising,” children would receive a treat in exchange for praying for the repose of the soul of a neighbor’s loved one. Other traditions included performing a “trick” in exchange for the treat.

Trick-or-treating these days is less transactional. All you need to do is dress up and ring a doorbell. Over 600 million pounds of candy will be handed out this season at the cost of approximately $3.5 billion. The top choice will be Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups followed by M&M’s. Candy corn is the least popular of all confections.

Sadly, homemade treats have gone the way of rotary phones and record players. Growing up, our family split the difference. We handed out Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts, putting three or four in one of those vintage white, orange and black waxed paper Halloween treat bags. I liked filling them because you could “test” the product as you worked.

Most of the candy distributed these days is in “Fun Size” bars – a designation that’s a misnomer for any of us who grew up in the days when Halloween candy bars were more than a single bite. There’s not much “fun” about a tiny piece of chocolate. “Junior” or “Fun Size” bars go back to the 1950s when Baby Ruth and Butterfinger started offering smaller versions. Mars (Milky Way, Snickers, Mars, Three Musketeers) followed suit in 1961.

In 1968, Mars changed “Junior” to “Fun Size” – a move copied in the early 1970s by the makers of Baby Ruth and Butterfinger. A lawsuit followed, but courts ruled the term couldn’t be copyrighted. To avoid additional litigation, some companies adopted such terms as “Snack Size” or “Treat Size.”

But “Fun Size” isn’t even what it used to be – and in more ways than one. “Shrinkflation” has reduced the average “Fun Size” candy bar by upwards of 66%. Candy companies (and every other company) think they’re fooling us by charging more and delivering much less. Consumer manufacturers are understandably villainized, but if we’re all not careful, we can often be guilty of the same thing.

Couples married for years may grow so comfortable with one another that they stop dating. The flowers and notes of those early years become a distant memory. They wonder why the romantic flame has grown dim. It’s often because they’re caring or giving less of themselves in thought, word and deed.

As mothers and fathers, are we making the most of the fleeting years with children in the home? Good parents give of themselves. The most effective way to keep kids off screens is to stay off your own screen and take them outside.

At our place of employment, it’s easy to give less and expect more. Productivity can’t always be precisely measured. Attitude and effort can be subjective. Remote work can be efficient, but the slacker may find it easier to slack on their home turf.    

King Solomon counseled that a person who gives freely gains while the person who withholds becomes poor. The Christian faith is paradoxical like that. It’s the antithesis of “shrinkflation.”

Whether come Halloween or every day in between this year and next, the best way to “fun size” your life isn’t to shrink, skirt or shirk opportunities or obligations – but to go all in. Maybe even like those rare and wonderful neighbors who give out the full-size candy bars.

Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura.