Reflecting on Halloween

[mlsdesigns]

The UK is very different from the US as far as halloween goes. Small children dressing up to go trick or treating, and decorating your house or front garden for the 'holiday' is only starting to catch on. More importantly it still seems to cause an awful lot of contention, (luckily the teenage idiots causing mindless damage seems to be petering off now), religeous types of all denominations objecting to the comercialisation on all levels.

Round where I live though, there seems to be a very nice balance. All the children from the surrounding area make a fantastic effort with their costumes, and come round all together with several mums to keep an eye on them. We always meet some of these children whenever we walk the dog, and they love the puppy, so we make friends. Last year the seven of them ranged in age from 5 to 13, and we were getting ready to go out to a ball so had forgotten to get any treats. We told them we didn't have anything, and they said 'that's ok, we didn't expect anything'! Their mums said they were just dressing up for fun and going home for a party afterwards. Such a nice change, didn't seem comercialised at all! So this year, I determined to get some treats in for them, and they were so excited, it was great!

If Halloween is going to continue in this vein over here I will be very happy, harmless fun that I hope to be able to join in when I have my own children :)

Comments

[myladyswardrobe.livejournal.com]

Must say, I don't like the idea of trick or treat. I think it teaches children that they can get something they want if they threaten others. Not a good lesson to teach!

From what I've heard about the American version from our mutual friends, Hallowe'en seems to be a good opportunity to dressup for anyone, regardless of age. And its "allowed" in most places of work as well which I think is a lot of fun.

I think the UK seem to prefer the idea of going out to an event to be scared - which is how Kentwell's Scaresville event got going. And its very very popular. It gives teenagers and adults an opportunity to have a good time getting scared but the children (some of who do come oddly enough) can still do the "trick or treat" and/or can go to children specific Hallowe'en events.

In the mean time, I hope Kentwell's Scaresville will continue on. Its hard work (16 nights!) but is a lot of fun. And thank goodness for me, the second week tends to fall in half term hols!

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

Scaresville must be so much fun, to be involved in and to visit! Maybe we'll make it one year :)