The holiday may have Celtic origins, but America has definitely made the celebration its own. Americans spend an estimated $6 billion on costumes and candy each year making Halloween the second-most commercial holiday after Christmas. Why do we invest so much time and money into this one day in October? Because it gives us opportunities other holidays simply don’t offer.

1. Copious Amounts of Candy

Sure, Christmas has candy canes and Easter has those delicious chocolate Cadbury Crème Eggs, but Halloween has ALL the candy. Candy just magically appears in aisles at Kroger, Wal-Mart, CVS and many other places.

2. Haunted Houses

What other time of the year is it socially acceptable to spend a Friday night screaming with strangers?

3. Pleasantly Plump Pumpkins

It just wouldn’t be Halloween without carving this bulbous, orange fruit. (Yes, fun fact, a pumpkin is a fruit as a member of the squash family.)

4. Terrifying Tunes

From Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, Halloween’s music is fun, catchy and much less annoying than Christmas carols.

5. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Who else grew up watching Halloweentown movies religiously on Disney Channel in October? “Hocus Pocus”, “Don’t Look Under the Bed”, “Under Wraps”, “Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire”, and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” are just a few of the best movies Disney has made for this time of the year.

6. Devilish Decorations

The creepier and scarier it looks, the better. Throw cobwebs, broomsticks and skulls up until it looks like the set of the “The Addams Family”.

7. Creepy Cocktails

Pick your poison on Pinterest. There’s a multitude of options between the lime green Witch’s Brew and Harry Shotters. Harry Shotters include Auda Tequila, Triwhiskey Cup, Gin Weasley and Expecto Patron. They’re sure to put a spell on you.

8. Crawl-O-Ween

Yes, there is a Halloween-themed bar crawl in Morgantown! It’s Friday, Oct. 21 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. It includes a coozie, t-shirt and drink specials at all eight of the bars on the crawl. Sign up here http://shop.therubberu.com.

9. Paranormal Parties

Okay, the parties may not actually be alien-themed, but it’ll feel like you’re in another world as cops, criminals, superheroes, and whatever else people decide to dress up as hit the house parties.

10. Crazy Costumes

The most important reason Halloween is America’s greatest holiday has been saved for last. One night a year you get to dress up as whatever you want and be someone else. You can be scary, cute, sexy, wild, or whatever your heart desires. Google you favorite costume ideas, plan it all out and make this Halloween the best yet!