In Utah, Halloween is a big deal. We go all out on decorations, pretty much every neighborhood has a variety of parties and even the college students dress up during the day. Whether it’s trick-or-treating, a costume party or a scary movie marathon, there’s an activity out there for everyone and just about every person I know is planning to do at least one of these things.

Ogden has a rich history that lends itself well to ghost stories and the paranormal. Between the ghost tours and the now-illegal tradition of flashing one’s headlights in the Ogden cemetery, we don’t even need to leave town to indulge in some freaky festivities.

Confession time. I don’t really care about Halloween. It’s just not a big deal to me. I know this sets me apart from my peers, most of them love Halloween, but my heart just isn’t in it.

For me, Halloween is a kick-off for November and the “true” holiday season. After Halloween is finally over, the focus shifts to sumptuous Thanksgiving meals and Christmas preparation. I can get behind both of those wholeheartedly.

To me, Halloween is like those chores you had to get through before your mom would let you play outside.

I think my feelings for Halloween stem from the fact that I’m stuck in-between two phases of life. I’m old enough to not want to party, but I don’t have kids. I have no interest in dressing up as a sexy (whatever it may be) and going out for the night, and I similarly don’t have a tiny human running around to coordinate costumes with or create Halloween-themed activities for.

This in-between phase means that my Halloween activities are dependent entirely on my own interest, which usually means there are no Halloween activities. And I’m totally fine with that.

If I had things my way, this Halloween would be spent with Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and a glass of wine. Leaving a big bowl of candy on my doorstep for the countless Elsa’s and Ninja Turtles, I’d wait for the rush to calm down. I’d go to bed early and sleep well knowing that when I woke, the holiday season would truly begin.