CHICAGO — Halloween in the 90s and 00s was an entirely different vibe than it is now. I’m a 90s kids who very much loved being a teen in the 00s. It’s always fun to look back at some of the fond memories from holidays long ago.
Take a look at some of these throwbacks from our childhood Halloweens:
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Classroom Halloween parties
Oreos, cheap pizza, fizzy sugary soda and you can’t forget the Doritos! Who doesn’t remember a Halloween classroom party?
Watching Nickeloden Halloween specials early morning before school
Did anyone else wake up incredibly early before school started on Oct. 31 just to catch all the Halloween cartoon specials? I would have Nickelodeon on as I got ready for school. There were so many good shows to watch.
McDonald’s Boo Buckets
OK, OK. These were technically an 80s kid thing, but they were certainly around in the 90s and 00s. The design was just different. These are making a comeback because so many shops are using them in their designs.
Going to the library and checking out a spooky book
School libraries always rearranged their book selections just before Halloween and brought out all their tucked away spooky reads toward the front of their shelves. My favorites were anything with Clifford or Arthur.
Trick or Treating at the mall
Does anyone else remember this? Back when malls were still THE spot to hang out, they used to let people trick or treat there. I remember going around all the different stores and the employees would hand out candy. And because the malls weren’t outside, all the kids were able to take their jackets off — because everyone knows that Midwestern moms always make you put on a heavy coat over your costume, which totally ruins the look.
These old school decorations that were just everywhere
Being warned about razors (and needles) in the candy
Parents everywhere were convinced that random strangers were hiding razors and needles throughout our batches of candy. So of course after a night of candy hunting, we all had to sit around our dining room table while our parents thoroughly checked every last piece. Only then could we indulge in our delicious treats.
These orange leaf bags
These bags used to be everywhere! They were always so flimsy but when you got it just right, the bags could be filled up with crunchy fall leaves and make for some awesome backyard decor.
Disney Channel Halloween movies
Unicef Boxes (plus this game on Cartoon Network)
Remember those bright orange Unicef boxes? And who remembers this game that went along with it on Cartoon Network? This is a core memory for me.
Watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown“
Now THIS was a classic! The season didn’t fully begin until you watched this bad boy on TV. It was such wholesome Halloween fun. It’s a timeless movie that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Did I miss anything? What are some of your favorite Halloween throwbacks?
Also you guys have heard me say this all the time, but I truly can’t wait to make memories with my son during the Halloween season. As I look back at my childhood memories, I realized the adults in my life went out of their way to make Halloween so amazing. From my parents who always decorated, to my teachers who used money out of their own pockets to buy me and my classmates Halloween pizza, to the neighbors who always bought out the best candy. I was very lucky to have a childhood filled with such sweet, awesome Halloween memories. I can’t wait to do this for my son. Parents have a way of making the holidays just MAGICAL, and that’s my goal.
I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane!
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