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Post by carl1951 on Oct 28, 2007 17:56:02 GMT -5
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Post by inuvik on Oct 30, 2007 14:47:10 GMT -5
These are from a Halloween card I received. My fave is #3.
Dracula's Top 10 Favorite Songs
10. You're So Vein
9. Fangs for the Memories
8. You've Got a Fiend
7. You Don't Bring Me Plasma Anymore
6. Bat's the Way (Uh-huh, Uh-huh) I Like It
5. You Light Up My Crypt
4. Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Casket
3. Don't Go Stakin' My Heart
2. Stranglers in the Night
1. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Donor
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Post by krissie on Oct 30, 2007 16:16:44 GMT -5
Not sure how popular Halloween is for our friends outside the 50 states, but you can still enjoy. I think you'd be surprised just how popular Hallowe'en is around here. I know I was! Back when I was a kid, trick or treating was not a big deal down in ye olde England. I think I only ever once went to a hallowe'en party (dressed as a witch), and our traditions didn't involve going from door to door scrounging sweeties off strangers. Over the last twenty or so years, though, trick or treating appears to have become an increasingly big thing south of the border... and big business. And the English probably blame this change on the influence of American popular culture. Round here? 'Guising' is a big deal. A really big deal. I'm actually quite shocked at how big a deal it is. ('Guising' is basically trick or treating under a different name. In fact, the kids will knock on the door and say: 'Trick or treat!') But, in the office nobody talks about 'trick or treating', only 'guising', and nobody blames the North Americans for any of this. 'Guising' is good and Scottish. So there.  Last year I was inundated with local kiddies... This year, I'm assuming (hoping?) that the numbers will be down because I've moved from a small town into a very small village. Surely the supply of local kids is finite... But... I hope I'm adequately prepared. I've got my pumpkin ready for carving. (Thanks, Carl, for the link, by the way. I may borrow an idea from there.) I've got my bowl of sweeties handy (and, no, I haven't dipped into it... yet!) Oh, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the food in the canteen at work will be Hallowe'en themed tomorrow. It usually is... Krissie |
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Post by hoosier on Oct 31, 2007 17:32:07 GMT -5
Boo! Happy Halloween to one and all. The ghosts, witches, superheros and various and sundry other characters are already out and making their way through town.
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Post by bjobsessed on Oct 31, 2007 20:14:50 GMT -5
How many kids did everyone get? We never get too many because we live on a back street. We usually have around 15-20 if we're lucky. That's ok cause I get to eat all the leftovers--if I beat my dad to it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2007 20:58:03 GMT -5
"Halloween" came from All-Hallow-Even, as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", also which is now known as All Saints' Day.
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Post by hoosier on Nov 1, 2007 17:42:15 GMT -5
How many kids did everyone get? We never get too many because we live on a back street. We usually have around 15-20 if we're lucky. That's ok cause I get to eat all the leftovers--if I beat my dad to it. We had 75-80 and still had some left over! I thought we had had fewer since so many neighbors don't do trick or treats. They decorate with all the stuff but don't do candy for the kids and that really bugs me.  We make little bags to hand out so we have an idea of how many stop by. |
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Post by bjobsessed on Nov 1, 2007 21:08:36 GMT -5
My friend lives in a subdivision and they had about 80 before they ran out of candy. Probably would have had over 100.
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Post by matilda on Nov 3, 2007 18:40:40 GMT -5
It's not all that big here, but the kids watch the US and UK TV shows so they of course try it on.
I was away in Melbourne. Six yr old girl went out with 5 little friends, all dressed up (bless my husband, got it all organised with me away and all), came home with a brown paper bag FULL of lollies, chocolate bars etc.
Poor old 12 yr old boy went out with full posse and came home with NOTHING. When I called up on Friday morning to enquire as to progress big boy v grumpy "it's just cos they're little and they're cute blah blah blah".
Of course the girls had written please give generously etc on their paper bags. They are very cute.
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Post by Kasman on Nov 3, 2007 20:59:55 GMT -5
Frankly, Matilda, I get really cranky when Aussie kids do the Halloween Trick or Treat thing because we just have never done that here. The poor unfortunates who knock on my door get told, "This isn't America, go away." Kaz...who is a total meanie  |
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Post by Dreamfire on Nov 4, 2007 0:20:12 GMT -5
Wow Kaz! Well, Last year Chris and I made a pumpkin and had so much fun doing it. We put it outside the door with a candle in it. Then we got treats ready and it was loads of fun giving it out to the few kids that did show up. This year - gasp! We forgot.  Oops, luckily had some yummies in the pantry that we coud share but I would like to remember next year and I would welcome joining in this bit of theatrics and fun. But each to his own, I'm so into special days I'd even love to adopt thanksgiving! Natascha Frankly, Matilda, I get really cranky when Aussie kids do the Halloween Trick or Treat thing because we just have never done that here. The poor unfortunates who knock on my door get told, "This isn't America, go away." Kaz...who is a total meanie |
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Post by matilda on Nov 4, 2007 1:41:26 GMT -5
Wow Kaz! Well, Last year Chris and I made a pumpkin and had so much fun doing it. We put it outside the door with a candle in it. Then we got treats ready and it was loads of fun giving it out to the few kids that did show up. This year - gasp! We forgot. Oops, luckily had some yummies in the pantry that we coud share but I would like to remember next year and I would welcome joining in this bit of theatrics and fun. But each to his own, I'm so into special days I'd even love to adopt thanksgiving! Natascha Frankly, Matilda, I get really cranky when Aussie kids do the Halloween Trick or Treat thing because we just have never done that here. The poor unfortunates who knock on my door get told, "This isn't America, go away." Kaz...who is a total meanie My take is that we have enough expensive consumerist festivals here as it is without another one so I've always said no - but I was away, wasn't I?  ?? And someone here could twist her father's little finger to do ANYTHING, as I said, he'd organised the costume and everything. Decided with a girlfriend on Fri nite that given all of this, what we will do next year is a party with all lovely customs and fun making them as outlined by Ash, but without the annoying running around the neighbourhood asking for treats with resultant bouncing off walls some hours later and yet another expectation that what we ask for, we get! Girlfriend and I both get into arty stuff so we'll have fun too. Doubtless will be asking for tips on Board. Tilda ps tks U/Carl and Lucy - have some great tips already. |
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Post by Kasman on Nov 4, 2007 5:52:42 GMT -5
With ya Kaz, my take is that we have enough expensive consumerist festivals here as it is without another one so I've always said no - but I was away, wasn't I? ?? And someone here could twist her father's little finger to do ANYTHING, as I said, he'd organised the costume and everything. Decided with a girlfriend on Fri nite that given all of this, what we will do next year is a party with all lovely customs and fun making them as outlined by Ash, but without the annoying running around the neighbourhood asking for treats with resultant bouncing off walls some hours later and yet another expectation that what we ask for, we get! Girlfriend and I both get into arty stuff so we'll have fun too. Doubtless will be asking for tips on Board. Tilda ps tks U/Carl and Lucy - have some great tips already. I have no problem at all with Halloween parties - any excuse for a party will do, thank you. It's the other stuff that makes my blood boil! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2007 7:55:07 GMT -5
Frankly, Matilda, I get really cranky when Aussie kids do the Halloween Trick or Treat thing because we just have never done that here. The poor unfortunates who knock on my door get told, " This isn't America, go away." Kaz...who is a total meanie Well, posts like this one kind of boil my blood over, so I did a little research. Here is a link on the tradition of Trick or Treating you all my find interesting: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treatingHowever, I should point out that: "...The activity is popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and due to increased American cultural influence in recent years, imported through exposure to US television and other media, trick-or-treating has started to occur among children in many parts of Europe, and in the Saudi Aramco camps of Dhahran, Akaria compounds and Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia. The most significant growth — and resistance — is in the United Kingdom, where the police have threatened to prosecute parents who allow their children to carry out the "trick" element. ..."Many cultures and traditions go on right here in the States and I for one welcome them as part of a growth and learning experience. Geez, if I told people "this isn't ......, now go away" I fear I would be living under a rock. |
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Post by Duchess of Lashes on Nov 4, 2007 8:25:26 GMT -5
Frankly, Matilda, I get really cranky when Aussie kids do the Halloween Trick or Treat thing because we just have never done that here. The poor unfortunates who knock on my door get told, "This isn't America, go away." Kaz...who is a total meanie I am a Canadian and trick or treated every Halloween until I grew far too old to do so. As kids, we understood that this was a tradition born to us by our British/Irish/Scottish heritage. In any case, here is a little more history on the origins of a night I know as children we looked forward to every year and as an adult, I still do, just to see what kind of little ghouls and goblins might show up at my door! Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money. The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter. Halloween, one of the world's oldest holidays, is still celebrated today in several countries around the globe.The autumn rite is commemorated in the United Kingdom, although with a surprising and distinctive British twist. In Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, All Souls' Day, the third day of the three-day Hallowmas observance, is the most important part of the celebration for many people. In Ireland and Canada, Halloween, which was once a frightening and superstitious time of year, is celebrated much as it is here in the United States, with trick-or-treating, costume parties, and fun for all ages. And there is much more on this subject here iin case you are interested: www.history.com/minisites/halloween/viewPage?pageId=713 |
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We make little bags to hand out so we have an idea of how many stop by.
Oops, luckily had some yummies in the pantry that we coud share but I would like to remember next year and I would welcome joining in this bit of theatrics and fun. But each to his own, I'm so into special days I'd even love to adopt thanksgiving!
?? 
