emelems

Havent seen much in the shops... am hoping that they don't () as the whole thing gets right on my nerves!

Is it big here?

Em x

goldchoccycoin

I have never (in 8 years) seen any evidence that they celebrate it and no 'trick or treat' kids around. Also, the lack of Nov 5th (fireworks night) celebrations means no fireworks to scare the dog!

Hutch

Very, very pale imitation of the yanks 'trick or treat' thing. Couple of kids show up at your door, having (if you're lucky) donned a shit looking Kmart witches hat. They hold out their hand and say 'trick or treat'. You look at them and say 'What the ****? Ermmm, trick because I don't have any lollies'. And they just shrug their shoulders and walk off down the path because they put no effort into preparing any form of trick either. Pretty much exactly how it was round my way in the UK now that I think about it.

Can't say I'm too fussed - it's all a load of commercialised American bollocks.

Red_V_Roger

Last year, we tried to go around the houses near us on the evening of 31/10 to warn people that our container was coming the next day and that they may have trouble getting their cars out. Only one house out of seven answered the door, even though we knew they were in.

Must have been my ugly face thinking it was trick or treat...

But the laugh was on us the next day when they couldn't get their cars out to go to work!

bridie

quite a lot of stuff in some shops, seen some trick or treaters - always seems odd seeing them in daylight though!

margy

Hi,

Although I'm not keen on the "trick or treat" idea, here in the UK where we live the kids, mums and dads make a big thing of it.

There is generally 1 really big visit, they pop a leaflet in your door a few days before saying something along the lines of if you'd like a visit for halloween display this in your window on the night. They all get dressed up the best they can. There mum/dads accompany them around to make sure that they are safe and behave well. They are all very polite and it's fun seeing all your neighbours and their kids enjoying themselves.

I'd get a couple of huge box of chocolates and generally enjoy the visit.

Maybe I'm a softy but being visited by a two year old who has been dressed up as a witch is quite cute.

The more grown up kids/teenagers tend to come around later in the evening, without their parents because "God, I wouldn't be seen dead with my parents!". But even they make an effort and are polite. Never had a trick played on me and quite enjoyed it.

Used to take my daughter around but she thinks she's too old now, I mean 13 is ancient!

I'll miss it this year because on the 24th we fly out to Perth, yay!

Thanks.

M

emelems

oooh! my sentiments exactly!

Have to say that the young kids dressed up ARE sweet.. but I got fed up with the teenagers knocking dressed in their hoodies and a 99p mask from the shop up the road aswell who just assumed that you were going to give them a load of stuff...

Miserable cow I am!

Em x

welshviking

Well we're having a big party, tarting the whole place up and fancy dress.

I always used to have a party in my house as a kid so I find it hard not to celebrate Halloween. It's always been a big deal in Wales, I was surprised to find out how many places in England didn't celebrate...but hey you are a bunch of miserable bastards.

Hutch

Or maybe we're just not as keen to adopt every shite over-commercialised excuse for a celebration that the yanks export. November the 5th was the real deal, never the 31st of October.

mydearboy1

Sorry but i have lived in Wales most of my life and have never seen anything much to do with Halloween! A few whiches hats a couple of bangers thats it...a waste of time.

FluffieFaerie

I love Halloween but am not in favor of Trick or Treating... I think Halloween is the perfect excuse for a good themed party and I can't wait to throw them for my kids and their friends - keeps them off the streets if nothing else. We'll be heading to the Manly Halloween Street Party this year (gets us out of the house - can't answer the door if there's no-one in).

RenShen

I agree. I always have a party tea for my son and his friends (now 9) so this year another mum has offered to do this for me.

We just do hot dogs and burgers, cakes and stuff. The kids are all dressed up and look really funny. Everytime the door bell rings they all scream and run to the door. Most kids that ring are with parents and have gone to a lot of effort. I have a big bowl of sweets in the porch and everyone goes away with something.

After tea I take the kids out just along our street where quite a few people put pumpkins in the window to let us know its ok to call.

Its all over by about 7pm and we stop answering the door after that.

I hope to carry this on in Australia, though perhaps not knocking on peoples doors. Just have a party for the kids and their mates (and parents).

I just think its a bit of fun and there is really no need to go to any great expense. I don't really think its overly influenced by America because I can remember doing the same thing when I was a kid (about 30 years ago). If you don't like it just don't answer the door!

Dorothy

Hate to disagree but it is not "American bollocks", but in fact a European/UK thing.

History

Although modern Halloween is a secular holiday, it evolved from several earlier religious holidays, first Pagan and later Christian.

Its earliest roots are found in the Druid harvest holiday which took place each year on October 31. After the crops were harvested, Druids in Britain would light fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals. As they danced around the fires, the season of the sun passed and the season of darkness would begin. When the morning of November 1 arrived, the Druids would give an ember from their fires to each family who would then take them home to start new cooking fires. These fires were believed to keep the homes warm and free from evil spirits. A 3 day festival called Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") followed.

After the Romans colonialized much of Britain, elements of the Roman festival known as Pomona Day were also introduced. Pomona Day was held on November 1, and is named for Pomona, a Roman Goddess of fruits and gardens.

Need more details about Pomona Day and which elements of it became part of modern Halloween.

When Christianity eventually reached Britain (year?), conversion began among the local people, including Christianization of the old traditions. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Pope Gregory III changed the date to November 1. October 31st became known as All Hallow Even, eventually All Hallow's Eve, Hallowe'en (still used), and then Halloween in the US.

Need more details about the specific practices which were performed.

The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have evolved from the 9th-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes" - square pieces of bread with currants. Beggars would promise to say prayers on behalf of dead relatives helping the soul's passage to heaven.

Irish emigrants from the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-46 brought with them the holiday of Halloween to the United States.
http://nostalgia.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

Hutch

Yes Dororthy, I realise it's a bloody old pagan festival. But the Halloween we're talking about here is the modern 'trick or treat' reinvention by the yanks, not the original 'all hallows eve'.

jdt3000

My sentiments exactly! I don't believe in trick or treating, but it would be cool if people at least did the whole pumpkin carving and fancy dress halloween party thing. Any excuse for a good get together!