Trick or treat, smell my feet; give me something good to eat! If you don't, I don't care; I'll just take a shot instead!
Not what kids used to chant? Welcome to Halloween in Auburn.
What is traditionally thought of as a children's holiday, filled with trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving, translates into a booze-filled night of hijinks for many college students.
"Halloween is easily my favorite holiday, and I try to do something to celebrate it every year," said Rebecca Freeman, senior in art history. "I think most college students try to put a twist on their childhood traditions to keep Halloween fun, but still go wild and crazy."
It's these "twists" on tradition that keep most college students celebrating this favorite holiday.
One of the main staples of any college Halloween party is a costume, and Auburn students never fail to come up with interesting ideas.
"Two years ago some of my friends dressed up as '80s prom king and queens," said Laura Atkins, senior in human development and family studies. "They wore big prom dresses and sashes that said 'Prom King/Queen' and looked like something out of 'Pretty in Pink.'"
Even some professors get in on the costume fun.
Susana Morris, assistant professor in the English department, said she usually enjoys dressing up.
"Last year, I dressed up as Angela Davis," Morris said. "Even though I won't be dressing up this year, I usually do try to."
Freeman, who plans on being an Athenian goddess, said she always enjoys coming up with a costume idea, but sometimes she thinks students may take it too far.
"Some people take some pretty big liberties when it comes to dressing up," Freeman said. "A lot of times what people wear isn't really identifiable as a costume, and people take the opportunity to go a little crazy for the night."
While dressing up in crazy costumes is fun, it's being seen in these costumes students enjoy.
"My group of friends and I always have a huge costume party where we decorate the house and carve pumpkins before having a complete blow-out," Freeman said. "The day after is never fun, but it's always worth it."
Some students, such as Atkins, try to top the previous year's party through different themes or unusual treats.
She said this year's theme is "trick or drink," which is going door-to-door, and instead of getting candy, people will be handing out shots of different Halloween-flavored liquor.
"Last year, we made Jell-O shots with candy eyeballs in them, which was a huge hit and they were super cute," Atkins said. "I'm not really sure what we are going to do this year, but it's going to be bigger and better."
However, many students still find time to return home and spend the holiday celebrating with their family.
"Every year I go home and carve pumpkins with my niece and nephew," Atkins said. "We have a pumpkin patch in my hometown and we go on a hay ride and pick out the pumpkins before going home to carve them."
Whether boozing it up at a raucous keg party or carving pumpkins with family, Halloween translates from a children's holiday into a night of mischief and mayhem sure to send chills up even the most seasoned college student.
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