*The following is a guest post.
October 31 is two days away now – a date that fills me with dread, consternation and cultural awkwardness. 2012 will be my twelfth Halloween in the USA and the fifth or sixth “celebrated” since having kids. You’d think by now I’d be cool with it but every September, just as soon as the kids go back to school, it’s all about Halloween every which way you turn and I just don’t dig it. Here’s why:
Costume Craziness
Halloween, otherwise known as All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day or Toussaint, has many origins but it’s mostly about getting spooked out by ghosts, ghouls and witches. So I can understand dressing up in white sheets, pointy hats and broomsticks, and skeletons but I do not get costumes that have nothing to do with Halloween. Cowboys, princesses, ninjas, Batman, Darth Vader, Minnie Mouse, Thomas the Tank – none of these are appropriately themed in my book. Any why are we OK with spending $25 or more every year purchasing brand new costumes for each kid from the growing numbers of retailers willing to take our money? Not being crafty myself, making or sewing a costume for my kids is rarely an option. So, the weeks running up to October 31 are usually spent trying to gently persuade my kids to either re-wear the costumes bought last year (which have not been worn since) or convincing them to make their own designs.
And while we are on the topic, I have never and will never understand adults dressing up at Halloween. Especially at the office! I do not want to be in meetings with a French Maid, Spider Man, a fireman, Cinderella Frankenstein or any other caped crusaders. I do not want to sit in a cube across from these characters, bump into them in the corridors, kitchen or bathrooms. I’m all for fun at work but grown-ups in costumes, I just don’t get.
Candy Craziness
I have always been a candy nazi, strictly limiting the volume and kinds of candy my kids consume. In the days prior to Halloween, I totally have to psyche myself into being cool with the fact that they will be consuming huge piles of the nasty sugary stuff. I’m not a total spoil-sport, I let them go to town on Halloween. But it makes my skin crawl and sets off every parenting alert signal. And after the sugar high, the inevitable crash, followed by the awesome moods the following morning. Ugh! What I don’t understand is why does there have to be so much candy? And not just on October 31 but in the days and weeks either side?
Extended Celebrations
Halloween is technically just one evening, so why the parties 7-14 days before? Why decorate houses as soon as October hits? Why is there so much Halloween themed junk on the shelves of stores? Halloween cookies, recipes, crafts? Why are there Halloween Hallmark cards? Who sends these things? Happy Day of the Dead? Gee, thanks for thinking of me. It’s all overkill.
There are many American celebrations and seasons that this Brit wholeheartedly embraces, particularly in the fall when pumpkins are plentiful and the foliage breath-taking. And, of course, I want my kids to experience all that is fun and cultural and seasonal. But, when it comes to Halloween, I admit I am a Grinch. So bah humbug.
And pass the candy!
Samantha is a Brit who came to the US almost 13 years ago with her work, intended to stay a year, went on a blind date …. and is still here! Before moving to the US, she lived in France so technically, she’s not lived in the UK for over 16 years, so please do not ask her for restaurant recommendations in London. You can read more of her observances about the expat life, motherhood and more over at Keeping the Glass Half Full.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hear, hear! Well said. And bah humbug.
I’m not an ex-pat and I wholeheartedly agree with Samantha! Especially about adults dressing up in costume. I guess Halloween is just not my cup o’ tea.
Personally I’m all in favour. Dressing up for adults is also fine – the rather fetching lady with the red hair, above, being a prime example :)
It gives grown women an excuse to dress up like prostitutes. LOl!
Oh dear – bah humbug indeed! I don’t know, I’ve always loved Halloween but that’s because in our neighbourhood everyone gets outside and a good time is had by all.
I have always made my kids’ costumes and will admit sometimes it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I begrudge spending the money on cheap store bought stuff, but I often end up spending twice as much on fabric etc. and of course, far too much time.
The best one for a long time was a few years ago – Recyclobot! We made a robot costume with a silver-painted cardboard, then glues the innards of old computers etc. on the outside. Silver fabric for arms and legs, a bit of gray paint on the face. I tell you it was brilliant.
This year he’s going as a werewolf now that he’s 9 – has to be scary. Am still working on the costume but it basically involves ripped clothes and fake fur!
I can definitely see the cost of making your own exceeding a packaged costume.It is nice when neighborhood really gets into. In my area they favor parties more than trick or treating.
Although not an Ex-Pat- (true blue Anglophile, however) I’ve become a bit of a “Halloween Scrooge”. As an adult I always made it a point not to be home on Halloween night. Would either go see a film, stay at work late, visit a bookstore..
As a child, I trick-or-treated until I was about 8 or 9 years old, and gave it up after that. It felt “immature” to go begging for candy (sweets).
I attended one Halloween party as an adult ( a friend begged me to go) rented a costume, felt foolish.
Fast forward to three years ago. I was house/cat-sitting for friends who were away for a month and it was easier to just stay there. They live in a very posh Chicago suburb. The wife left a large bowl of candy (the really good kind) and asked if I wanted to hand it out, it was great…if not, that was fine too.
It was a Saturday, so I agreed. The hours established by the town for trick-or-treating were 4-8 pm. Initially it was fun. The children were adorable – and being a more upscale area there were some very unique and amazing costumes. Moms and Dads were friendly. But, as it got darker, and the smaller children stopped coming (did have quite a few though) then older kids started coming by.
By 7 pm, it was just high school kids. None in costume, majority were males, and most were wearing “hoodies” pulled down almost covering their faces, they were big kids…tall…looked like they didn’t live in the area, and frankly…it really unnerved me. High schoolers trick-or-treating???
And, they got rather aggressive…pounding on the door…ringing the bell repeatedly. I thought to myself — anyone could easily force their way in. At 7:10 pm, I locked the door, and turned off the lights. They continue to come until 8 pm…and some pounding on the door so hard since I wouldn’t answer, that I almost felt like calling the police.
Never again….
(my apologies for rambling)
While I agrre with you on the over-consumption “spirit” that seems to kick in during late September, may I point out that Hallowwen comes from the British Isles. It started with a Celtic seasonal holiday Scotland, Wales, and Ireland called Samhain, and it marked the new year in the agricultural growing cycle.
True, we Americans tend to commercialize and tart up our holidays, but let me tell yoy that honoring the spirits of ancestors is exactly what a few of us mavericks out there are thinking. For me, it is a way to honor my British & Celtic ancestry: All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day.
You may never enjoy this holiday, but relish the time of the year and the seasonal changes it brings. Teach your children why dressing up as someone else is part of this holiday. Looking into what the holiday means, might help you and your family derive meaning from it.
Peace
Thank you all for the comments! Whichever way you chose to celebrate it – or not – here’s wishing you. Happy Halloween!