If anyone needed proof that life after 40 is about taking up glorious, theatrical space, they only need to take a stroll down Sally Jacks’ street this weekend.
The presenter and influencer has set social media alight after transforming her manicured front lawn into a bone-chillingly accurate replica of Ardross Castle from BBC’s hit juggernaut The Traitors. Complete with heavy velvet swags, an eerie open fire pit, and an enormous round table manned by cloaked skeleton contestants, the real star of the show is Sally herself: unmissable in a glossy fringed wig, fingerless red gloves, and a sweeping black cape, channelling host Claudia Winkleman in all her gothic, camp glory.
Yet beneath the viral theatricality and dry-ice drama lies a distinctly midlife revelation: Halloween has evolved from a sticky childhood afterthought into the ultimate second-act celebration of community, camp, and unapologetic fun.
© Sally JacksFor anyone over forty, the modern spectacle of Halloween feels like a completely different universe from the autumns of our youth.
© Sally Jacks"Anyone my age or older will remember that Halloween really wasn’t a big thing when we were growing up," Sally laughs, adjusting her Winkleman cape. "And if you did dress up, it was usually a plastic mask and a bin bag!"
© Sally JacksBack then, the holiday often carried a sharper, more intimidating edge. "Trick-or-treating wasn’t quite the family-friendly event it is today, either," Sally recalls. "I remember one older lady who wouldn’t give the children sweets, and they really did play a trick on her. I always remember that, and I felt so sorry for her!"
© Sally JacksDecades later, women in their second act are actively rewriting that script. Rather than turning the lights off and pretending nobody is home, they are throwing the doors wide open. "Gary and I absolutely LOVE Halloween," Sally says with infectious delight. "We love opening our doors, treating the children, seeing their amazing costumes and watching their little faces light up. Having our son FJ and his friends involved makes it even more special."
© Sally JacksSally isn't an isolated case. Midlife women everywhere are reclaiming dress-up season from the under-twelves, embracing the joy of being bold, slightly ridiculous, and utterly visible.
Claudia Winkleman herself - now in her fifties - has become a national style icon precisely because she refuses to dress down, leaning into heavy kohl eyeliner, oversized knitwear, and dramatic highland capes.
© BBCAcross the Atlantic, Heidi Klum (at 51) has turned Halloween into an international spectator sport, arriving at parties disguised as everything from a grotesque worm to an anatomically detailed peacock.
© Getty ImagesThere is also a deeper, more soulful undercurrent at play. In a recent episode of the Second Act Unpacked podcast with Jayne Wallace, founder of Selfridges’ famous Psychic Sisters, the conversation turned to why women in their second act frequently find themselves drawn to the "woo-woo" - from crystals and tarot to seasonal rituals.
As Jayne pointed out, midlife is often the very moment women finally trust their gut instinct, shedding decades of people-pleasing to step into their intuitive power. Halloween, rooted in ancient seasonal transitions, offers a playful, creative outlet to honour that wilder, untamed side without asking for permission.
Of course, no midlife gathering is complete without hospitality and purpose. For Sally, the spectacle isn't self-indulgence; it’s a modern village fete with a gothic twist.
"The best bit? We get to raise money for charity at the same time," Sally explains. "This year, we're making things even more exciting because Batch Distillery will be setting up on our driveway, serving hot drinks for the adults while collecting donations for charity. So the children get their sweets, the grown-ups get a lovely hot drink, and we all get to enjoy the Halloween magic while supporting a wonderful cause."
She continued: "Halloween isn't just about the costumes and the decorations for us. It's about bringing people together, making memories, and giving back."
Faithful or Traitor, one thing is certain: second acts have never looked so wickedly good.
