Halloween Was A....................

[10ClarionSt]

..........non-event in this country until the advent of tinternet. Sure it was, still is, a big deal in other countries, but I don't remember ever doing anything at all for halloween. However, I do remember that if we didn't go to church the following day on All Saints Day, then the wrath of the Obernunbahnfuhrer, Sister Anthony, would be visited swiftly upon thee! It's all just a big money maker now, isn't it?

[Bobbisox1]

Never had anyone here trick or treating, I’m wondering if it’s because my Winter curtains are blackout ones ( red) and from outside it looks like no one’s home ?

[lankeela]

Considering they say they have no money to feed their kids there were plenty of mums buying up loads of sweets in the supermarket over the past few days, not to mention all the photos of expensive costumes. Total waste of money.

[ZebuSanctuary]

It's a kids thing.

Moreover, child fodder for the retailers.

[theshedman]

Where we live if you do not have a pumpkin outside your house most will not knock to save upsetting many who do not want to get involved in Halloween. May get a couple but not many. First time in over 30 years that we didn't even get 1 this year.

[Old_Geezer]

It's a parents' thing. They can teach their kids that demanding a ransom with menaces is the right thing to do, and their kids get candy they didn't need to buy.

It's been an utter mess ever since folk with no respect for their own country's traditions fell over each over importing US ones. Halloween used to be much more subdued, and eerie. Far less plastic, more natural, and didn't involve ringing other people's doorbells at night and mugging the neighbourhood.

[ichkeria]

We always had fireworks at halloween because N Ireland doesn’t do bonfire night (or at least not on Nov 5 lol).
And nuts and facemasks and witches hats

[ichkeria]

So it was always an event.

[ZebuSanctuary]

// ringing other people's doorbells at night and mugging the neighbourhood.//

My, my. We are community spirited.

What happened. Did a 7 year old kid accidentally knock over one of your milk bottles?

[Barmaid]

I remember it happening when I was a child, but we were never allowed to do it.

We had two little ones, which was pre-arranged with a few houses round here. They were more interested in the "witch's kittens" than the sweets. Now Mr BM and I will have to eat the remainder of the box of Celebrations. Shame.

[royfromaus]

When I was a kid it was called Mischief Night...hedge hopping, banging on doors and running away, letting of fireworks.

It's tame nowadays by comparison.

[Spicerack]

Dunking? for apples was a Halloween thing, wasn't it?

[bednobs]

i am nearly 50 and remember going trick or treating as a youngster

[ZebuSanctuary]

// .hedge hopping, banging on doors and running away, letting of fireworks.//

Hooligan! ;-)

[pastafreak]

It's interesting how many different perceptions there are of what Halloween is now...and was.
None here(upstairs maisonette) and I only saw 1 dad with a tiny tot across the road. Weather was awful anyway.
When I was young in suburban US, we had over 100 some years, no threats or bad behaviour. I wasn't allowed to do it. But there would be a party at school.
I've never heard of any kids misbehaving.
I also didn't see anyone buying loads of sweets beforehand.

[douglas9401]

Dookin for apples and trying to eat treacle covered scones suspended from string as well as reciting a wee poem or telling a duff joke.
That was Halloween.
None of this old plastic tat strewn about the place.

[gness]

I've said before that I love Halloween and was celebrating it long before the internet arrived.
We've had a great weekend in the village. Both adults and children with no great expense and no litter. Pumpkin display and scarecrows will be removed today.

What does surprise me more than the grumpiness is the lack of knowledge about Halloween.
The costumes, ceremonies and carvings didn't begin in America. You need to look a little closer to home if you want to blame someone. :-)

[goodgoalie]

When I was growing up it was called 'guising', and we'd put on fancy dress to go round the local tenement flats performing a poem or party trick for sweets, and then we'd dook for apples.

[pastafreak]

That's been said repeatedly on here gness...but no one listens. Bashing Americans is much more fun ;)
I'd imagine every generation observes traditions in their own way.
It's lovely that everyone takes part in your part of the world.

[andres]

It was all about the Pendle Witches when I was young. A midnight walk up Pendle Hill, a Halloween party and dance in the village schoolroom and a church service the day after.

[maggiebee]

As a youngster in Scotland we went guising. No fancy costumes, just your dad's jacket turned inside out, maybe one of his bunnets on your head and wellies or old boots on your feet. You were expected to sing a song, tell a joke or do a dance before you were given a sweetie or a piece of fruit. No money! Bairns just seem to go begging these days and the costumes must cost a pretty penny.