Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, carrying decades of traditions and practices for Americans. Even though coronavirus has put a back-order on pretty much everything, this doesn’t mean a red-light has to be placed on spooky season. Halloween must commence.

As the first major festivity of the holiday season, Halloween has the job of setting the mood and spirit of excitement for the rest of the year leading into Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Halloween is the first magnet of the season that brings people together, but for this reason, it seems that the holiday has landed itself in a squabble.

The issue of continuing the holding of events has been a hotbed of controversy over these past several months — and for good reason. As we’ve observed precautions to slow it’s spread slowly take over our lives, it’s pretty safe to say that coronavirus is nothing to scoff over.

But the presence of the pandemic doesn’t mean that the holidays should be canceled. Holidays are a time of coming together and having fun. Halloween isn’t an exception to this.

Some may argue that the celebration of Halloween would be unsafe with so many people in one place and this assertion would be true; however, Halloween doesn’t need to be a party of 50 people to be properly celebrated.

The issue of large gatherings is easily mitigated by simply making the Halloween festivities a little less large and loud this year.

Invite a few friends over (who you know have been safe and healthy) to watch some of the classics like “Halloweentown” or “Hocus Pocus.” You can bake pumpkin pastries or buy the biggest bag of candy that you can find at Costco to share amongst yourselves.

If you and your friends have all tested negative for coronavirus, even a small gathering of people for an outdoor celebration would be reasonable. So long as the state coronavirus guidelines are being followed, Halloween festivities should continue.

The fact of the matter is that Halloween is one of the holidays in which teens and adults can feel like kids again, dressing up and consuming ridiculous amounts of sugar. Given the dull circumstances of the world at the moment, getting into the Halloween spirit is precisely what we need to bring a little more light and color into our lives.

Again, does this mean going out to a party with a random set of 70 people? Absolutely not.

But having a gathering with several of your closest friends, given you abide by state guidelines, to dress up and have some fun? That might be a good vibe all around.

As Halloween quickly approaches, take the holiday spirit in stride. By all means, celebrate — but celebrate responsibly.