Halloween: the one holiday that divides families and friends every single year.

I will admit - and proudly - I am a lover of Halloween. I believe it's harmless and I don't think the controversy it receives is justified.

There is no denying it's strange - it's most certainly not a 'normal' festival or celebration. Something that we will all remember from our childhoods are warnings to do with 'stranger dangers' and 'not taking sweets from strangers'. So why, on this one day a year, do we encourage children to do this? It contradicts these principles that we are taught.

As the current 'creepy clown' craze shows, there are also issues involving frightening unsuspecting and perhaps vulnerable people, but as long as people abide by the unwritten rules, such as only trick-or-treating houses with decorations, there should be no reason for problems.

This may not seem important to many but waste is another subject that should be addressed. Carving pumpkins is something a huge number of people look forward to – sometimes it's a great excuse for friends and family to come together. But the UK alone wastes 18,000 tonnes of pumpkin every year. To find out more about food waste, see Tom's article in this edition of Future Voices. As long as you are sensible about your carving, people won't be able to complain.

I don't think for one second this holiday should ever stop being celebrated. I agree that some people need to learn what is acceptable and appropriate whilst being mindful and thinking of others. If everyone learns this, October 31 can be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of whether they celebrate it or not.

Teenagers are often called 'too old' for this holiday; I am 16-years-old and I will most certainly be dressing up on October 31 and celebrating Halloween.

Max Tofts, 16, Wymondham High Academy