Halloween has always fascinated me. Growing up, I knew plenty of families who abstained from the holiday on principle. They did not think it was proper for Christians to participate in a holiday that appeared to celebrate evil.

But in my home, I came to associate the holiday with my mother’s whimsy and creativity. She would keep a large pot of hot cider simmering on the stove all day, while preparing our house for little visitors in costumes. She carefully spread synthetic web on the hedge ...