Other than Halloween falling second on the list of most commercial holidays, it just so happens to be my favorite. The fall season brings all of my favorite things: sweater weather, autumn colors, movies by the late Wes Craven — it is great. Below, I’ve listed my top six reasons why Halloween is the best holiday in the history of ever.

1. Movies

This holiday season brings some of my favorite movies to the forefront, such as “Halloween,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Shining,” “Hocus Pocus” and “Psycho.”

2. Costumes

Halloween gives all of us the chance to be something we are not, or something we are, like a princess or a witch.

3. Carving Pumpkins

The traditions of pumpkin carving actually did not start with pumpkins at all, rather than vegetables like potatoes, beets and onions. It can already be complicated carving a medium-sized pumpkin, but could you imagine carving an onion or small potato?

4. Pumpkin Everything

Nothing makes me happier than walking into Wal-Mart and seeing an aisle specifically dedicated to pumpkin-flavored baked goods. Heck yeah I want pumpkin coffee, cake, cookies, bread, muffins and pie.

5. Festivities

Festivities are one of the best things this holiday has to offer. Most communities get involved and host events for the season, such as the Fall Fun Fest. I mean, who doesn’t want to go to a haunted house and pay to get scared? Costume parties are also a plus.

6. Candy

What is better than candy? Free candy. Trick-or-treating was once what we lived for. Actually, it was an awkward experience for me because I was shy and wouldn’t speak. So, I would just ring the doorbell and stand outside smiling as they put candy into my bag.