Let’s be honest – growing up, Halloween was always less about the actual trick-or-treating and more about the post-collection candy exchange.
After stuffing my pillowcase to the brim with what would become my next cavity, I’d join my siblings and neighbors in what could truthfully be described as insider trading on the Halloween candy black market.
What was once a jovial scene would immediately turn sober, with each trick-or-treater staking out his or her square of living room carpet like dogs marking their territory. We’d instinctively pour out the contents of our pillowcases, eyes darting inconspicuously as we each took a mental inventory of each collector’s stock.
Our friendly banter would turn to a preoccupied silence; this was war. The goal was simple: Curate the best possible candy selection to last you until Christmas.
TWO SMARTIES FOR A KIT KAT!
First came the organization. The slob whose bedroom floor you could never see suddenly became Rain Man. Once everyone’s cards were laid out on the table for all to see, it was if the bell had just rung at the New York Stock Exchange.
“Two Smarties for a Kit Kat! I repeat, TWO SMARTIES FOR A KIT KAT!”
“I’ll take your two Smarties and raise you a pack of Nerds!”
“Deal!”
*Candy flies through the air*
This ritualistic exchange went on for an hour or so, ending only when everyone was content with their new collection or someone got punched over a king-sized Snickers.
Another successful Halloween in the books.
The Econ 101 Class You Didn’t Know You Enrolled In
Aside from the ruthless negotiating and manipulation, my Halloween nights always seemed innocent enough.
But little did I know, I was actually sitting in my first econ 101 class, nurturing my nascent understanding of finance and economics while staring at a batch of Halloween candy.
When mapping my trick-or-treating route, for example, I was performing various trade-offs, or sacrificing one thing to obtain another. I asked myself hard-hitting questions such as, “Do I want chocolate or hard candy?” and “Am I going for quality or quantity?”
In doing so, I was also unknowingly calculating my opportunity cost, or the value of what I did not choose. Was hitting five more houses better than skipping the huge house with good candy all the way at the end of the block? What was I willing to give up? What were my goals?
The class continued long after initial candy collection.
Exhibit A: This classic Halloween candy exchange operates in an organized barter system in which goods (candy) are exchanged for other goods (more candy), as opposed to a market economy, where goods are exchanged for standardized currency. To the untrained eye, however, it just looks like a bunch of kids having conniptions over candy.
Furthermore, the painstaking decision to trade a king-sized Snickers for a regular Reese’s is not made without thoughtful analysis and introspection. Each young collector must perform an extensive cost-benefit analysis, or an on-the-fly assessment of what they’re getting and what they’re giving up, for nearly every trade.
Who knew you could learn so much from collecting candy in your politically incorrect 1990s Halloween costume? Share your Halloween life lessons below or catch up with us on Facebook.
