I’m both a fan and not a fan. Generally I prefer to be the person giving out lollies at Halloween, I like meeting/seeing the neighbours and making some fun for kids. On the other hand I find it weird to encourage going around asking for lollies or to be given something in general.
My kiddo is really getting into it for the first time this year so I won’t be spoiling the fun.
What do others do for Halloween?
I thought people only go to decorated houses - probably no need to pretend not to be home. We generally put a small decoration out so kids know they can get something at our house.
Haha i was kidding, but I remember before covid, people would just go around any/all houses. But after covid happened then it became a general rule that you have to show some sign that you are participating
I thought that changed pre covid. I know our house was one of only a few on our street that did it. A lot of Christians don’t participate now days, and then there’s those who think it’s unAustralian. I thought it was opt in for quite a while - but you’re right the opt out was probably always just pretending not to be home.
A lot of Christians don’t participate now days…
Really? Is this a particular 'stream' of Christianity, as a lot of Protestants and Catholics in Ireland/Scotland are right into it
@GG57: Yep. A lot of the churches on the Gold Coast organise Halloween alternative parties and activities (which seem to involve very similar activities, just not the spirits/ghosts/ghouls element). I’m not a Christian but my rudimentary understanding is that some Christians might see it as worshipping a false idol, others my see it as celebrating the occult (witches etc). There are some Christians who see anything supernatural other than god, Jesus and angels as a bit taboo. Interestingly some Christians I’ve spoken to who have had experiences that others might call seeing a spirit/ghost as being visited by an angel.
As I understand it the tradition actually comes from warding of evil spirits, hence the scary pumpkins and lights in the dark to scare them away. I think it’s more the evangelical churches. Definitely popular in Ireland with the Catholics.
A dentist will strongly discourage.
Kiddos aren't into it at all. It's not a thing in our neighbourhood and we only used to get a few small groups visiting (pre-covid) so it will be interesting to see how many show up tomorrow.
im putting a sign on my door tomorrow
"I HAVE COVID"
Careful - that might count as a decoration and opt you in.
We dont trick or treat, too old. But up until this year have decorated (I usually start 1 Oct).
Surprisingly, we had no kids last year. I had the biggest stash sitting idle. 😔
We always buy stuff that we enjoy eating anyway so the excess goes to good use. A shame about last year, it’s nice that you made the effort for your community, that’s why I always try to do something even if it’s small.
Oh shit, that reminds me I gotta do my taxes.
i wrap brussel sprouts in the ferrero rocher wrappers i save during the year, a trick…not a treat lol
You might get a few OzBargainers at your door trying to score free veggies - cost of living and all.
I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I hate having our culture become Americanised. But at the same time I remember as a kid seeing trick or treating on TV and in the movies and being bitterly disappointed that I would never get to do it. So it would be nice to help some kids do it. I will probably participate just for that reason. Even though I generally despise Americanisms
Commercialism, yes, very American. But in general? History SA a few years back dug up a wonderful selection of Halloween photos throughout the years from Adelaide. Obviously mainly Irish, Scots etc. Full on dances with fancy cakes 🎂
I think perhaps the way we do it now is a shadow of its former self.
I’m a fan of the Halloween party too. I’ve been to some great ones hosted by Irish people.
Too much consumerism and cheap landfill masquerading as decorations, it should all be banned regardless of which consumeristic “holiday” it is for.
I hear what your saying. We use the same decorations every year, same with Christmas.
I'm not sure if you have kids but if you did you did might understand it a bit more.
Kids don't stay young forever, before you know it they're teenagers and just want to stay in their room all day.
To give kids some excitement with their neighbours/friends, to see the joy they get from it. Their age of innocence doesn't last long, and I'll take what I can get for as long as I can.
I totally get that and eloquently expressed. Exactly the reason why I ever bothered with Halloween… you look for any activity to have fun and enjoy the love of your kids…there not kids for long.
I have never bothered, but I have been to some Halloween themed parties and events at bars. That's about the extent of it. I did get a trick or treater once, and just said I didn't do Halloween and they moved on. No, my place was not decorated.
Oh that’s interesting - it’s pretty bold (or rude) to knock on an undecorated house in my opinion.
Halloween sign on gate:
Welcome kids. Come in.
My dog loves children.
For the rest of the year it
has to make do with dog food.
kid reads, sign
dog loves kids…
blah blah blah..
lets go..!!!
Personally I think it's an American thing and just see it here in Australia as a commercial shameless grab by retailers. Retailers and TV shows like Sunrise drive it in support of advertising revenue. However some if not all schools (primary school is my experience so far) have also have also embraced it…Art projects, free dress day and Halloween dance etc. So pre covid when kid was 5 or 6 I was forced into decorating, buying costumes, lollies as you do. Someone in the street created a Halloween symbol that was distributed in letter box and if you were participating stuck Halloween symbol on letterbox so kids knew they could trick or treat at that house. System worked really well…too well as it turned out. I really enjoyed meeting people from other end of the street etc. We have 2 houses nearby who go all out and was fun having a look. But as our street was organised and high participation and with the 2 big decorated houses cars started to turn up from everywhere. After a couple of years it was just not our local kids and mum and dad pushing prams (which I really loved handing out treats to little kids) it turned into a smash and grab. Word had gotten out and apparently we were the best Halloween street for miles. So it went from entertaining little folk to random parents zooming up in cars, a hoard of kids jump out raid the houses and jump back in then the cars drive off at break neck speed onto next. We are talking dangerous driving and lots of traffic. Last year was really bad and my kid was already over it so we have totally stopped which is a real shame as I enjoyed the activity with my child. So a nice street event was ruined by rude, selfish lolly grabing grubs. Now I hate it people cruising your street who knows how many have bad intentions…casing out the street or paedophiles. But I refuse to sit in the dark.
Oh what a shame! That is really low or the parents driving their kids around. It really should be a local event only, walking distance from your house (for suburban folk at least).
Unfortunately older kids just see it as a competition how many lollies they can collect and to be fair I totally get that but when adults show no restraint is something else. What always alarmed me was/is when adult dress head to foot in an all covering affronting costume such as bin ladin or grim reaper etc are at your front door or walking up street with no kid. Just be careful and dont let your kids wander far…or alone.
Totally agree it should be the parents telling their kids not to be greedy. And definitely not facilitating it!
I’m definitely just going to a few houses close to us with the little one. Luckily it’s a fairly nice community at the moment, but like you’ve mentioned they can change quickly and unpleasantly.
…an American thing and just see it here in Australia as a commercial shameless grab by retailers…
I agree, that is certainly how it had been adopted here.
What you could do, if your child was interested, is invite their friends (and maybe parents for part of the time) for a more traditional party for a couple of hours. Dress in scary costumes, have a few games or similar, have a scary-themed decorated cake, etc. Encompass a few things from other cultures (e.g. Mexican/South American day of the dead).
Yes that is a good idea and the only way to participate IMHO from what I have learnt. I feel here in Oz it is a sub 10 year old thing…to late now for my child….unless it is an adults only party/BBQ which could be fun.
It's the time to get rid of all the shitty Cherry ripe chocs I be been collecting and felt wasteful throwing in the bin.
Yup. I'd do it with the Moros too, but I'm pretty sure giving Moros to another conscious being violates the Geneva convention.
Turn off the lights and pretend not to be home