I need somewhere to go tonight. I must to be able to take my children and we need stay for at least three hours. I am hiding from Halloween. I can’t stand it. And consequently, my children can’t stand me – today anyway.
I don’t know who the Halloween equivalent of Ebeneezer Scrooge is, but call me that. I will do anything to escape it, but I realise I’m but a voice in an increasingly pumpkin-filled wilderness.
Maybe I’m over-reacting. Trick-or-treating in our street is considerate and well organised. One mum takes charge and drops note into each letterbox asking who wants to be involved. Then, from the replies, she compiles a list of homes happy to be visited by groups of little ghouls (each must have an adult with them).
‘How bad can it be?’ My friends ask, ‘Halloween’s here to stay, why not go along with it? Surely that’s easier than trying to stop it?’
People assume I’m railing against the importation of an American tradition, but it’s not that. I love American-ness. I don’t have a problem when chips are called fries and I’d rather visit Washington than Canberra. We took the kids to Disneyland at Halloween two years ago. Mickey was wearing his pumpkin and purple tux and we had a ball – and quite a lot of candy (note casual use of Americanism). I’m all for sharing traditions and customs if we understand their meaning. But to so many Australian kids, Halloween is nothing but a lolly-grab.
Top Comments
l grew up in Canada and Halloween was always sooooo much fun! Heaps better than Christmas... Wrote a blog post about it this year while on exchange in Canada!
http://the-mother-ship.blog...
I think it is fun. I don't mind a lolly fest for one evening. We have a few decorations and it it is fun to get together with a few families from school, share a meal and trick or treat with the kids. Halloween is an ancient Irish tradition - Google/Wikipedia it to see for yourselves. Yes, the American's have really gone to town with it but I am okay with my family enjoying the occasion.