Halloween? WTF?

Watson said :

Stevian said :

If any begging vandals come snooping around my door trying to extort confectionary, police will be called.

Wow, do you always call the police when someone asks you for someone?

You sound like a great role model for the neighbourhood kids.

So called “trick or treat” amounts to “cough up or else”. That’s extortion, which is a crime. Since giving them a clip around the ear myself would expose me to the full force of the legal system for assault, how else am I supposed to protect myself from these pint-sized mafioso

Watson said :

Stevian said :

If any begging vandals come snooping around my door trying to extort confectionary, police will be called.

Wow, do you always call the police when someone asks you for someone?

You sound like a great role model for the neighbourhood kids.

Or something even. I’d be a bit concerned if I was asked for “someone” too.

Stevian said :

If any begging vandals come snooping around my door trying to extort confectionary, police will be called.

Wow, do you always call the police when someone asks you for someone?

You sound like a great role model for the neighbourhood kids.

Stevian said :

If any begging vandals come snooping around my door trying to extort confectionary, police will be called.

The fun police, I assume.

Kiron2222 said :

I love the “Halloween is seppo crap”

Trick or Treating first appeared in the British isles in the late 1800s and was first recorded in Australia in the 1920s (Queensland it was common I believe). Trick or Treating did not appear in the US until the 1950s.

So this “seppo” holiday is actually a British/Irish holiday that appeared in Australia before it did in America.

The more you know.

Also as said before, you are being hypocritical, most of the holidays/celebrations you practice have nothing to do with Australia or Australian culture, but you do so anyway. Let the kids have their fun.

If any begging vandals come snooping around my door trying to extort confectionary, police will be called.

Rusalka said :

I’m a fan of Neil Gaiman’s proposal of All Hallow’s Read as an alternative, where you give kids and adults alike a scary book instead http://www.allhallowsread.com/

😀 +1

I love the “Halloween is seppo crap”

Trick or Treating first appeared in the British isles in the late 1800s and was first recorded in Australia in the 1920s (Queensland it was common I believe). Trick or Treating did not appear in the US until the 1950s.

So this “seppo” holiday is actually a British/Irish holiday that appeared in Australia before it did in America.

The more you know.

Also as said before, you are being hypocritical, most of the holidays/celebrations you practice have nothing to do with Australia or Australian culture, but you do so anyway. Let the kids have their fun.

qbngeek said :

Your Kids may not hate you so much if you adopt Winter-een-mas. My family loves it but we are all geeks.

+1

I’m a fan of Neil Gaiman’s proposal of All Hallow’s Read as an alternative, where you give kids and adults alike a scary book instead http://www.allhallowsread.com/

Onceler said :

…I’m gonna go all neo-pagan and instigate my own seasonally specific festivals, even if they’re restricted to just my immediate household…

Happy Festivus!

In you honour I’m going to make a donation to the Human Fund.

Onceler said :

Yep, I agree with you. It’s not just our southern hemisphere location, but the modern lifestyle of the developed world that sucks the soul out of these things. (Don’t get me wrong – modern life is not completely rubbish! For instance, I enjoy electricity, modern plumbing and the medical system, to name just a few.)

I know it’s futile and ridiculous, but I intend to salvage some of the original spirit and meaning out of the ancient festivals. I’m gonna go all neo-pagan and instigate my own seasonally specific festivals, even if they’re restricted to just my immediate household. Don’t worry; I won’t take up wicca or build a model of Stonehenge in my front yard. Christmas in July will do for starters I guess. And ther’ll be Hallowe’en style thingy in, say May or thereabouts. I’ll have to think of a name for it.

My kid(s) will hate me so much.

Your Kids may not hate you so much if you adopt Winter-een-mas. My family loves it but we are all geeks.

Watson said :

Onceler said :

Somebody else might have mentioned this but I’m too lazy to read through all the posts –

Like the other major pagan festivals, Yuletide and Easter, Halloween is a seasonal thing. It doesn’t make much sense when transferred to the southern hemisphere (unless you shift it in the calendar by six months). It’s all about Autumn and the end of the harvest time – the pumpkins have ripened and things in nature are beginning to die away; life is fading – hence the macabre aspect to it.

Everybody knows that Easter is a celebration of the return of life, growth and fertility in the Spring. And Christmas serves to raise our spirits in the bleak midwinter.

I find the fact that we’ve got it all out-of-sync kind of depressing; we’re completely divorced from nature’s cycle.

Not only that, but as a result, the commercial aspects of all three festivals become that much more obvious and tacky.

I wish we had our own native festivals that celebrated the seasons properly. Can’t see it happening though.

That’s a nice thought, but it’s not as if these festivals have any connection to the seasons anymore in the Northern hemisphere. Sure, there is that historic link there, but it doesn’t mean more than being a bit of trivia to bore people with on the day.

The link between Xmas and winter solstice has not been celebrated in the Northen hemisphere since christianity hi-jacked it. That’s a long time ago and most people don’t even know the festival’s origin.

Same with Easter actually. It’s either about some guy being nailed to a cross and then doing a runner when he realised he wasn’t actually dead after all, or it’s about chocolate and the easter bunny. People in the Northern hemisphere couldn’t care less if the festival is in spring or autumn. They’re just glad it’s not in the middle of summer because then all the chocolate would melt.

People haven’t felt like celebrating the changing of the seasons since the majority stopped living off the land and the invention of electricity. It’s a shame, but that’s how it is. You’d have more success throwing a party to celebrate the start of the end of season sales than the position of the sun now.

Most of these festivals are now only for kids really. Except for Xmas maybe, though I hate it and therefor only do the kids’ stuff for that too.

Yep, I agree with you. It’s not just our southern hemisphere location, but the modern lifestyle of the developed world that sucks the soul out of these things. (Don’t get me wrong – modern life is not completely rubbish! For instance, I enjoy electricity, modern plumbing and the medical system, to name just a few.)

I know it’s futile and ridiculous, but I intend to salvage some of the original spirit and meaning out of the ancient festivals. I’m gonna go all neo-pagan and instigate my own seasonally specific festivals, even if they’re restricted to just my immediate household. Don’t worry; I won’t take up wicca or build a model of Stonehenge in my front yard. Christmas in July will do for starters I guess. And ther’ll be Hallowe’en style thingy in, say May or thereabouts. I’ll have to think of a name for it.

My kid(s) will hate me so much.

Onceler said :

Somebody else might have mentioned this but I’m too lazy to read through all the posts –

Like the other major pagan festivals, Yuletide and Easter, Halloween is a seasonal thing. It doesn’t make much sense when transferred to the southern hemisphere (unless you shift it in the calendar by six months). It’s all about Autumn and the end of the harvest time – the pumpkins have ripened and things in nature are beginning to die away; life is fading – hence the macabre aspect to it.

Everybody knows that Easter is a celebration of the return of life, growth and fertility in the Spring. And Christmas serves to raise our spirits in the bleak midwinter.

I find the fact that we’ve got it all out-of-sync kind of depressing; we’re completely divorced from nature’s cycle.

Not only that, but as a result, the commercial aspects of all three festivals become that much more obvious and tacky.

I wish we had our own native festivals that celebrated the seasons properly. Can’t see it happening though.

That’s a nice thought, but it’s not as if these festivals have any connection to the seasons anymore in the Northern hemisphere. Sure, there is that historic link there, but it doesn’t mean more than being a bit of trivia to bore people with on the day.

The link between Xmas and winter solstice has not been celebrated in the Northen hemisphere since christianity hi-jacked it. That’s a long time ago and most people don’t even know the festival’s origin.

Same with Easter actually. It’s either about some guy being nailed to a cross and then doing a runner when he realised he wasn’t actually dead after all, or it’s about chocolate and the easter bunny. People in the Northern hemisphere couldn’t care less if the festival is in spring or autumn. They’re just glad it’s not in the middle of summer because then all the chocolate would melt.

People haven’t felt like celebrating the changing of the seasons since the majority stopped living off the land and the invention of electricity. It’s a shame, but that’s how it is. You’d have more success throwing a party to celebrate the start of the end of season sales than the position of the sun now.

Most of these festivals are now only for kids really. Except for Xmas maybe, though I hate it and therefor only do the kids’ stuff for that too.

Supply Of Lollies To Children And Showing Them Your Decorations, Sounds Very Wong To Me.

ex-vectis said :

I’m not having a whinge, far from it; we left the UK because we couldn’t stand it there any longer. But lets not kid ourselves, we have more in common with the US of A than Grand Britannia…

I think you will find that Australians wish to de-deatch themselves from the Biritish as much as possible…and I guess part of that is our adoption of US television and introduction of the cultural influences that involves as well. I get the feeling that the turnout to view the Queen wasnt nearly as enthusiastic as they would have liked.

And our heritage is similar to the US in that were were both colonies of Britain (though the US was founded by relgious extremists, the pilgrims, where we were basically founded by criminals, and those who were ‘instant criminals’ due to skills requirements in this colony).
The US went to war to free themselves of the British and claim independence…we had a referendum that was worded in such a way there was no way it was going to get through.
So I guess thats where I see the similarities, and reasons why.

Somebody else might have mentioned this but I’m too lazy to read through all the posts –

Like the other major pagan festivals, Yuletide and Easter, Halloween is a seasonal thing. It doesn’t make much sense when transferred to the southern hemisphere (unless you shift it in the calendar by six months). It’s all about Autumn and the end of the harvest time – the pumpkins have ripened and things in nature are beginning to die away; life is fading – hence the macabre aspect to it.

Everybody knows that Easter is a celebration of the return of life, growth and fertility in the Spring. And Christmas serves to raise our spirits in the bleak midwinter.

I find the fact that we’ve got it all out-of-sync kind of depressing; we’re completely divorced from nature’s cycle. Not only that, but as a result, the commercial aspects of all three festivals become that much more obvious and tacky.

I wish we had our own native festivals that celebrated the seasons properly. Can’t see it happening though.

Chuckle, as a ‘newish’ Aussie I’m always suprised that we (if I can say that) constantly deny being Americanised. My father-in-law put it in his usual succinct way – ‘Australia is just another state of America’. I did take umbrage to that remark but, while a bit abrupt, he is right. Australian’s dont realise just how American-like it is here.

IE.
Lack of foot-paths in suburban streets.
A medical system that, while it tries to have a ‘free at point of service’ is certainly not (as we have found with my wife being pregnant) and so complicated to use we often quip ‘hope we dont get sick’.
A fundamental ‘car culture’.
The building architecture.
Street and estate layout.
Commercialisation of old stuff like halloween (and Christmas – cant believe we’ve seen a ‘Santa’ groto already! Its October!!!).
Our currency is dollar & cents.
Police carry guns as normal.
Parliament has a House of Representatives and a Senate.
We have a history of oppressing the native occupants of the Country (albeit that we are trying to make amends now!)
Etc..

I’m not having a whinge, far from it; we left the UK because we couldn’t stand it there any longer. But lets not kid ourselves, we have more in common with the US of A than Grand Britannia…

I didn’t grow up with Halloween (apart from seeing it in American movies, which obviously spoilt it for lots of people) but we celebrated a catholic festival on 6 Jan that included a trick or treat tradition. You had to dress up as the 3 wise men (how boring!) and sing songs, some rather religious, some rather silly and blasphemous.

So when my 6yo now begs me to let her go trick or treating for halloween, I get all sentimental and want her to experience the thrill of knocking on people’s doors in a silly costume and having to perform for total strangers and wondering what treat you will get or if they will be rude and slam the door shut. It’s an awesome way for them to get to know some of the neighbours too and to strengthen that community feel.

I do think it is essential to get the kids to do something for their reward though. No one likes a beggar…

So I will go and talk to some of the neighbours this weekend, get a little group of kids who want to participate hopefully and also find out if they will get a good reception at some houses at least. And I’ll do some reading up on it so I can tell the kids about the history and what the idea is. I love the story about how it was celebrated in Scotland!

ConanOfCooma said :

Halloween “…has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day…”.

It is not an American holiday, I am sick of people perpetuating total crap that “someone” told them.

Considering the Eurpoean ties that we are happy to uphold with “Australian” traditions, I don’t understand why you all can’t be more forgiving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

I think I love you! It’s not American! I personally don’t like it but if the kids are happy and safe, then what the hell. If I don’t want them coming to my house to I just put a sign in the front door saying “No Halloween here”………they get the message.

They’re just little kids, take it easy. politely say no, or put a sign up saying NO LOLLIES. If they’re teenagers, then you can tell them to f*** off.

If the kids are having fun, I’m all for it 🙂

i Agree with all those people who think it isn’t part of australian culture, and is another faad to spoil children. I’ll never be handing out treats to kids i don’t know. I don’t see why adults/homeowners should feel pressured to partisipate just because they are kids. My only image of halloween comes from movies, and most of them from america, so i’m genralising but “trick or treat” from my understanding means give us lollies or else, and for older kids, give us lollies or we will egg your house.

WonderfulWorld said :

PS . got lots of visitors this year to our place when don’t normally get any. Kids found people were more prepared this year as well and they got a ton of things when previously only one – two houses per street would be interested…

That wouldn’t be because it was rammed down our throat by Coles and Woolies this year, would it?

I used to love Halloween when I was a kid in Scotland. Most people had an open house and kids dressed up as ghosts, witches and other scary things and were given apples and nuts as well as home made sweets such as toffees or fudge. You had to sing, dance or recite a poem for these treats, no tricks if treats were not available. Sometimes you had to duck for apples or try and eat scones covered in treacle that were dangled from the ceiling. We made lanterns out of large Swedish turnips as pumpkins were not commonly growth in Scotland (too cold).

It was the supposedly the time of the year that ghosts could rise from their graves and party and if you weren’t dressed as something ghoulish and partying, they would know your were human and would take you back to the grave with them. Scary.

Love Halloween. Been dressing up since I was a kid and now go to parties and don costumes with my kids. To me its what’s in your heart and what you find fun. Yeah we get people that slam doors saying “don’t believe” but that happened 25 years ago in Australia – we get doors slammed for all sorts of things, we respect others wishes, they should respect that we can have fun too.

PS . got lots of visitors this year to our place when don’t normally get any. Kids found people were more prepared this year as well and they got a ton of things when previously only one – two houses per street would be interested…

Mulberry said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Kids dressing up and having a good time.

I can’t see a problem here.

Agreed. All pretty harmless really.

My husband, Brother, Sister-in-law and myself, escorted our children and a few of their friends around a few streets on halloween (aged between 4 – 11 – about 7 of them)

I have never been a “believer in haloween” i guess you could say, but there is no harm

There’s always the risk of harm when you dabble in the occult.

Holden Caulfield said :

Kids dressing up and having a good time.

I can’t see a problem here.

Agreed. All pretty harmless really.

My husband, Brother, Sister-in-law and myself, escorted our children and a few of their friends around a few streets on halloween (aged between 4 – 11 – about 7 of them)

I have never been a “believer in haloween” i guess you could say, but there is no harm… we made sure we had a bag of goodies just in case, and suprisingly the 4 or 5 streets we visitoued seemed to have the same thing.

They enjoyed themselves as we embarrassedly waited on the curb, but there is no harm…

its not going to hurt whether you say “sorry I have nothing” or whether you but $5 worth of treats… but its really nothing to whinge about…

I’m not against Hallowenn because it might be American consumerism gone mad, I just don’t care for it. If kids want to do it, good on them, but don’t knock on my door randomly.
Stick to your friends houses, your relatives house, etc.

Nearly 20 years ago, I had the woman down the street appear with her two kiddies, said no politely and on they went. That’s the same woman who sent my kids home from hers cos they were fighting. Seems right.

Saw a bunch of kids walking down the street the other night – they were having fun – on the way to someones house.

I think most people who do not participate just want to left alone and not have to answer the door 10 times in a night.

I do struggle with sending the appropriate message to kiddies not to accept gifts from strangers but then saying, it’s ok tonight.

I do like the idea of bursting out the front door in a horror mask and bloodied – or –

I might just wear my Borat mankini!

(It’s a night for dressing up, isn’t it?)

All I have to say is that I am currently in Japan where they have also “embraced” Halloween and I saw a Christmas Tree with Jack-o-lanterns on it. Enough said.

I was going to say ‘the kind of moron who, flailing for relevance and credibility, resorts to attacking somebody’s spelling rather than the substance of their claims’.

I’m grabbing a beer and some pop-corn. This could get interesting.

I was going to say ‘the kind of moron who, flailing for relevance and credibility, resorts to attacking somebody’s spelling rather than the substance of their claims’.

The Hoff said :

What kind of moron decides that an american tradition can not be incorporated into Australian society after all we are suppose to be a ‘Multicultural Country’

The same type that can’t spell ‘cannot’ or conjugate a sentence?

What kind of moron decides that an american tradition can not be incorporated into Australian society after all we are suppose to be a ‘Multicultural Country’

sepi said :

Melbourne cup day in the US is pretty dismal too.

🙂

I didn’t know ‘cos I wasn’t home, but apparently we had a visit of 3 little kids with their Dad waiting out on the street. Their costumes were good, but all we had to give them was out-of-date Freddo frogs.

In mid-90s Perth, no-one really did anything for Halloween. To be fair, the area we lived in at the time was known for a serial killer, though he only preyed on Uni students.

I was quite surprised people did the Halloween thing here when I came in 2001.

“You’re going to be a very unhappy little man in years to come, then”

Factually incorrect, I will be an unhappy big man. Its impossible to describe me as ‘little’ unless I’m standing in an NBA offensive line

Melbourne cup day in the US is pretty dismal too.

johnboy said :

well where’s the costumes and beer/lollies for NAIDOC week?

Dammit… +1

kambahkrawler said :

Isn’t it funny how we are so quick to adopt foreign festivals.

It might be coincidence, but I’ve yet to see NAIDOC week or any other celebration of indigenous Australian festivals promoted by Woolies or Hallmark..

Ahh, but that would require woolies or halmark designing and marketing the whole thing. With Halloween, all they have to do is send each store a pallet or two of the same plastic decorations and themed candy that they sell in north America (made in china, so we don’t even have to ship it that far) and put it on the shelves. As the popularity grows, they sell more crap, more people see it, popularity grows, etc I’m not sure you can blame the multinationals for cashing in on demand.

I do think though that this makes Halloween here WORSE than simply being a copy of a foreign commercial holiday. While it may have become a fesival to consumerism in the US in recent years, the same is true for christmas, easter, etc. At least there are still many people enjoying what for them is a great old family tradition.

It Australia, we could have adopted this tradition any time in the last hundred years, but instead we are now, when American TV is telling us what we are missing and woollies are willing to sell us the supplies needed to generate that traditional look. So what we are ending up with is quite a bit worse then a holiday turned commercial, we are getting a holiday which is wholly commercialised from the get go.

I lived in Canada for a couple of Halloweens. They were great. If this develops into a great fun night for families then great. If I had kids and lived in a street with other kids in it I might organise something for those interested myself. But I am cynical about the way many Australian’s view the whole thing.

John Mayer is a well-known dickhead, I wouldn’t be using him to back up your argument. We really should make more of an effort to please visiting celebrities with our national celebrations, though.

mywords said :

I would Like to remind everyone that Halloween is an English tradition and only the north Americans and Canadians have kept it.
Why not have a blast and enjoy it. If you celebrate the dead before the day of the dead then bad spirits won’t arise. Hence Latinos celebrate the day of the dead (it’s their version of Halloween)

Most celebrities who come to Australia say it’s the worst day ever to visit because the spirit isn’t there. John Mayer’s quote “Halloween in Australia is like having everyone’s lanterns turned off” How sad that we as a Country are so festive yet we ignore the fun things for kids.
We need to get our act together and make Halloween festive.

Yes, well we should all take a good hard look at ourselves if John Mayer has something to say about Australia……after all, he certainly knows what he’s talking about, just ask him about blacks and gays.

ahhhhh

A teetotal, childless current affair watcher who gets angry about having to answer the door.

You carry on while I quietly back out of the room…

mywords said :

I would Like to remind everyone that Halloween is an English tradition and only the north Americans and Canadians have kept it.
Why not have a blast and enjoy it. If you celebrate the dead before the day of the dead then bad spirits won’t arise. Hence Latinos celebrate the day of the dead (it’s their version of Halloween)

Most celebrities who come to Australia say it’s the worst day ever to visit because the spirit isn’t there. John Mayer’s quote “Halloween in Australia is like having everyone’s lanterns turned off” How sad that we as a Country are so festive yet we ignore the fun things for kids.
We need to get our act together and make Halloween festive.

*gosh* no one has brought that up in this thread yet.

I would Like to remind everyone that Halloween is an English tradition and only the north Americans and Canadians have kept it.
Why not have a blast and enjoy it. If you celebrate the dead before the day of the dead then bad spirits won’t arise. Hence Latinos celebrate the day of the dead (it’s their version of Halloween)

Most celebrities who come to Australia say it’s the worst day ever to visit because the spirit isn’t there. John Mayer’s quote “Halloween in Australia is like having everyone’s lanterns turned off” How sad that we as a Country are so festive yet we ignore the fun things for kids.
We need to get our act together and make Halloween festive.

Pommy bastard said :

GottaLoveCanberra said :

Holy crap the anti-American naivety of some people in this country is disgusting.
It’s ok if an activity is from somewhere else in the world but oh hold on! if it’s from America it’s gotta be shit!

Some of our colonial cousins have the RIGHT idea about how to deal with “trick or treat”…

http://www.smh.com.au/world/teen-shot-dead-after-halloween-egging-20101102-17b0v.html

Tha dude should be recruited into the AFP; after all he only had to fire off ten shots to sucessfully hit his moving target.

shadow boxer said :

kambahkrawler said :

lobster said :

People celebrate Oktoberfest and we don’t live in Germany.
People celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we don’t live in Ireland
People celebrate Christmas in July and we don’t crucify them either.

People just hate on Halloween because they think it makes them cool.

No, most peoples’ experience of Halloween is the equivalent of someone dressed in Lederhosen and a funny green hat with a feather in it coming to my house and dragging me tp EPIC and forcing me to drink German beer.

No, its the equivalent of someone doing all that and inviting you to EPIC because you might enjoy it, you can just say no thank you if you don’t wish to be part of it

I should have added “when I’m teetotal.” That might make more sense to you seeing as you didn’t get the message first time.

Having no interest in, or family with, kids, what am I supposed to enjoy about having to go to the shops to buy sweets that I never normally buy, not doing anything at home that can’t be interrupted for the whole evening because I might have to answer the door, and then getting flour thrown on my car if I decide not to give sweets to the fat kid that I was told last night on A Current Affair has too much sugar in their diet????????

GottaLoveCanberra said :

Holy crap the anti-American naivety of some people in this country is disgusting.
It’s ok if an activity is from somewhere else in the world but oh hold on! if it’s from America it’s gotta be shit!

Some of our colonial cousins have the RIGHT idea about how to deal with “trick or treat”…

http://www.smh.com.au/world/teen-shot-dead-after-halloween-egging-20101102-17b0v.html

kambahkrawler said :

lobster said :

People celebrate Oktoberfest and we don’t live in Germany.
People celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we don’t live in Ireland
People celebrate Christmas in July and we don’t crucify them either.

People just hate on Halloween because they think it makes them cool.

No, most peoples’ experience of Halloween is the equivalent of someone dressed in Lederhosen and a funny green hat with a feather in it coming to my house and dragging me tp EPIC and forcing me to drink German beer.

No, its the equivalent of someone doing all that and inviting you to EPIC because you might enjoy it, you can just say no thank you if you don’t wish to be part of it

Isn’t it funny how we are so quick to adopt foreign festivals.

It might be coincidence, but I’ve yet to see NAIDOC week or any other celebration of indigenous Australian festivals promoted by Woolies or Hallmark..

Clown Killer said :

In our street, households that were participating put an orange balloon on their letter box – it meant that the kiddies didn’t waste time harassing folk who didn’t give a sh!t.

Would a life size effigy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer at the end of my driveway do the same thing?

lobster said :

People celebrate Oktoberfest and we don’t live in Germany.
People celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we don’t live in Ireland
People celebrate Christmas in July and we don’t crucify them either.

People just hate on Halloween because they think it makes them cool.

No, most peoples’ experience of Halloween is the equivalent of someone dressed in Lederhosen and a funny green hat with a feather in it coming to my house and dragging me tp EPIC and forcing me to drink German beer.

If you realy want to make sure nobody comes back after next Hallowe’en: carob, and a copy of this.

rosebud said :

To all you Ebineezer Scrooges out there (yes, yes, I know it’s not quite right) if give anything less than quality sealed sweets to my trusting, bright eyed and ADORABLE young kids as they skip happily up to your pumpkin festooned front door, I may be forced to name and shame your houses on Riotact – the worst and most contemporary form of tar and feathering there is in the ACT.

Your kids might have trouble getting to my front door, unless they can work out how to get over the razor wire I’ll be erecting in time for next year. 🙂

To all you Ebineezer Scrooges out there (yes, yes, I know it’s not quite right) if give anything less than quality sealed sweets to my trusting, bright eyed and ADORABLE young kids as they skip happily up to your pumpkin festooned front door, I may be forced to name and shame your houses on Riotact – the worst and most contemporary form of tar and feathering there is in the ACT.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Mr Evil said :

Does anyone know if kids like salted licorice?

thank you for the laugh and the idea for next year. Flour my car will you, you little f##kers

Try and find some Finnish “Sisu” Salmiakki – it taste like ammonia. I tried some once and could only chew it for about 5 seconds before having to spit if out!

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Those sneaky f***s with their product placement made me fat!

Do you Really thINK subliminal produCt placements wOrk, or are they just a joKE?

…hmm. Feeling thirsty.

Now that you mention it, I could really go for a Pepsi.

Mr Evil said :

Does anyone know if kids like salted licorice?

thank you for the laugh and the idea for next year. Flour my car will you, you little f##kers

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Those sneaky f***s with their product placement made me fat!

Do you Really thINK subliminal produCt placements wOrk, or are they just a joKE?

…hmm. Feeling thirsty.

I’m not thirsty, but all of a sudden I could really use a caffeine hit, and maybe some sugar.

I don’t actually get right into it, but last year I bought a pumpkin and me and my youngest sat and had fun hollowing out the insides and carving a face in it and placed it out the front with a candles in the middle, it was pretty cool.

This year however I grabbed a couple of pumpkins from Woolworth, couldn’t believe the price of them they were $10 bucks each and what a disappointment to find it was already hollowed out for us, I mean we didn’t have to do anything except pull out a bunch of seeds.

So some kids come to the door and I had a big bowl of lollies and as I was bending down with the bowl to start putting some lollies in these kids bags and this kid just started helping him self to the bowl, so I lifted the bowl so he couldn’t reach it and gave what I thought was a good number of lollies for each child, couldn’t believe it though, just straight in there.

How things change, but we let it change, we sacrifice certain cultures that we have always had in Australia to cater for the cultures that we have let come to this country.

We have made the kids of today have no respect and think they have rights to whatever they want.

Those sneaky f***s with their product placement made me fat!

Do you Really thINK subliminal produCt placements wOrk, or are they just a joKE?

…hmm. Feeling thirsty.

One of my students was telling me that his mates get a lot of money on Halloween since many houses don’t have candy. This may be very good news for Canberra’s teeth and waists.

bd84 said :

Your ability to type is surprising, given that you’re from Cooma.

Actually, I’m from Sydney, but I live in Cooma. Great place, people know how to drive.

GottaLoveCanberra said :

Holy crap the anti-American naivety of some people in this country is disgusting.
It’s ok if an activity is from somewhere else in the world but oh hold on! if it’s from America it’s gotta be shit!

I hear America is a lovely place, it’s just a shame about most of the people that live there.

From my interactions with people from the States, I have deduced that regardless of level of education, they are small minded and ignorant beyond comprehension.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

I don’t want another manufactured ‘holiday’ rammed down my throat

Help! Help! I’m being oppressed by a supermarket!

Those sneaky f***s with their product placement made me fat!

I don’t want another manufactured ‘holiday’ rammed down my throat

Help! Help! I’m being oppressed by a supermarket!

Funny but all these people cracking on about the worth of Halloween were nowhere to be seen until the last 2 or 3 years

We’ve been celebrating Halloween for at least the last ten years. No kids in the Canberra families before that, so no point.

What’s next, a public holiday on the 4th of July

Yes, that’s absolutely what will happen. Also, Oktoberfest will cause us all to buy brown shirts and burn books in Garema Place.

barely adopted by the Australian populace

You’re going to be a very unhappy little man in years to come, then. Will you beat your tiny fists against the window as the armies of trick or treaters walk past and wail ‘But…but I said it was barely adopted! BARELY ADOPTED!’

colourful sydney racing identity said :

I really liked having my windscreen covered in flour because I had the audacity to politely inform unknown children that I would not be giving them lollies.

That is the spirit of the thing. Halloween is only gaining a foothold because of the sugar, and I’d much rather have kids think up a trick to play on me, than give than give them more lollies than they already get.

Arc went pretty hard on it this year too, but at least it was tied into the horror movies, and the best props were ones they made themselves.

Born in the USA and grew up in the UK as well as here. Halloween was very popular – can’t see that ever changing. It’s harmless and something different for all ages.

What’s wrong with it being commercial? What isn’t nowdays? It’s nothing like Christmas, Boxing Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Spring Carnival, Royal “Insert Capital City name” Show. All these advertise months before they happen and cost a fortune (unless you’re a tight arse or can pick a winner)

Had a couple of nearly mid-teen aged kids knock on my door with dodgy eye make-up and pillow cases in hand. A very half-arsed effort on a costume, clearly only in it for the sugar.
They got nothing from me.

I was very disappointed with Halloween this year – not one knock at the door. And to think I’d gone to all the trouble of putting aside a whole packet of lollies that had passed their best-before date six months ago.

Still, there’s always next year; and those lollies aren’t going anywhere between now and 31st October 2011.

Does anyone know if kids like salted licorice?

ConanOfCooma said :

bd84 said :

It is an American tradition that is not celebrated in this country.

You think that pagan Celtics came from America?

Are you American, by any chance? Intelligence level suggests so.

The Americans are the only ones to turn it into a cheap commercial celebration. Your ability to type is surprising, given that you’re from Cooma.

I dont care where the tradition originates from. What’s wrong with 1 day out of 365 being nice and social… it’s a far too common occurrance these days where neighbours are complete strangers.

What’s wrong with having a little fun and getting into the spirit of it. I have my own kids now, but I vividly remember sharing a bounty of lollies with my sister when I was young. Good memories, happy times. Looking at the voting results, I cant believe how many people use the excuse “it’s Amercian, we are Australian” as a way to be sourpuss scrooges. Lighten up folks. A little bit of pocket change and foresight to have some lollies in the house ‘just in case’ is all that’s needed. Reward those kids who have put some real effort into their costumes… but dont encourage the older ones who are obviously taking advantage of a situation.

I was out, so missed it all.

I followed my kids around my local street (at a discreet distance). Only had one idiot who took it upon herself to lecture the kids on how ‘they didn’t believe in it etc. etc.)

It’s all good. Teaches the kids that:
(a) most people are pretty decent
(b) good manners has its rewards
(c) there is such a thing as ‘neighbourhood’

And I suspect that a lot of adults get a little kick out of putting a smile on a kid’s face.

AngryHenry said :

Next year I’m opting for trick.

I’ll burst out the front door wearing a hockey mask and bloody apron with my chainsaw.

That’ll learn them.

Sod that, I’m wiring up my door knocker to the mains…

I’m inclined to believe that those wishing to paint Halloween as an inherently American festival are probably getting too much American TV in their diet, hence the misguided belief that it is predominantly a North American thing.

Given Halloween’s deep roots in British tradition, it’s probably one of the few things from their colonial English past that the Americans have persisted with.

I will, however, add that the only trick or treaters that darkened our door were 2 kids in their early teens wearing shorts and t-shirts on Saturday arvo. Made no effort for anything but expected a handout of something. Why not call it ‘give me free shit Saturday/Sunday’?

Funny but all these people cracking on about the worth of Halloween were nowhere to be seen until the last 2 or 3 years, when their minds were arrested by the commercial push for the festivities here.

What’s next, a public holiday on the 4th of July. Its a commercial American thing, barely adopted by the Australian populace. Just lace up your Air Jordans, zip up the P Diddy trackpants and move on. The rest of us will absorb the cultural cringe

Halloween is great! When else can you go to a nightclub and be surrounded by girls wearing eyecandy playboy bunny, nurse or catwoman outfits???

Geez I’m kind of over the American bashing that goes on. Let the kids have some Halloween fun.

GottaLoveCanberra said :

Holy crap the anti-American naivety of some people in this country is disgusting.
It’s ok if an activity is from somewhere else in the world but oh hold on! if it’s from America it’s gotta be shit!

Again, maybe it’s not anti-Americanism fuelling this, but anti-corporatism… I don’t want another manufactured ‘holiday’ rammed down my throat by supermarket chains looking for an extra dollar between Father’s Day and X’Mas. They are trying to normalise Halloween as a holiday that is celebrated in Australia. Their ultimate aim is to make it become so popular that everyone feels that they ‘must’ participate.

Next thing we will see them advertising Thanksgiving Turkey and associated food products.

I don’t care where it originated it just simply has no meaning for me, it isn’t a tradition I feel comfortable with and it isn’t something I grew up with.
I also don’t want to feel I need to participate because some people encourage their kids to knock on my door and ask for stuff..I dont do St Patricks day or October fest either..I dont mind them though as the people celebrating it don’t knock on my door expecting me to join in.

Holy crap the anti-American naivety of some people in this country is disgusting.
It’s ok if an activity is from somewhere else in the world but oh hold on! if it’s from America it’s gotta be shit!

georgesgenitals said :

shadow boxer said :

I took the kids last night, they had a great time, you haven’t seen pure joy until you’ve seen an 8 year old kid splitting a bucket full of lollies with her sister.

That might have been joyful for you, but pure joy for the child would be having a bucket full of lollies, and eating the lot in front of the sister without sharing.

haha, can’t argue with that

colourful sydney racing identity said :

I really liked having my windscreen covered in flour because I had the audacity to politely inform unknown children that I would not be giving them lollies.

Eggs fly both ways…

shadow boxer said :

I took the kids last night, they had a great time, you haven’t seen pure joy until you’ve seen an 8 year old kid splitting a bucket full of lollies with her sister.

That might have been joyful for you, but pure joy for the child would be having a bucket full of lollies, and eating the lot in front of the sister without sharing.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

I really liked having my windscreen covered in flour because I had the audacity to politely inform unknown children that I would not be giving them lollies.

This. Is. Gold.

I just think it’s a bit hypocritical to spend time telling children “don’t take lollies from strangers!” but then suddenly saying that one day a year, it’s okay

Don’t let your kids sit on Santa’s lap, then? 😉

I agree 100% with everything else. If you don’t want to celebrate Halloween, that’s completely up to you, and people should leave you alone on the night.

bd84 said :

It is an American tradition that is not celebrated in this country.

You think that pagan Celtics came from America?

Are you American, by any chance? Intelligence level suggests so.

I don’t like Halloween. It’s nothing to do with the supposed “American-ness” of the holiday. I just think it’s a bit hypocritical to spend time telling children “don’t take lollies from strangers!” but then suddenly saying that one day a year, it’s okay to not only take lollies from strangers, you can knock on their doors and ask for it.

JessicaNumber said :

Children were at your house in adorable costumes with big smiles and you’re complaining?

What part of cute makes you unhappy?

I don’t find children particularly appealing or cute – I’d prefer to give treats to a strange dog than to a strange child (yes I am fully prepared for my future as the crazy cat/dog lady of the neighbourhood). But I don’t begrudge other people celebrating the holiday – if someone had knocked on my door last night I was just going to inform them I don’t celebrate Halloween and had no treats in the house (which was true – aside from dog treats!).

In my mind, it’s like religion – I’m not religious, but I don’t mind if other people are so long as they don’t try to make me ‘believe’ as well. Likewise, I don’t celebrate Halloween, but I don’t mind if other people do so long as they don’t expect me celebrate it too.

Noone visited me 🙁 .. They would have gotten frozen minimuffins.

If you have a problem with kids getting together and having harmless fun in their community then you are probably a pretty miserable piece of work.

Lighten up and enjoy kids being kids.

And yes, I am aware that statistically children are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone they already know.

The answer, then, is to drop your kids off in a distant part of town where they don’t know (and aren’t related to) anybody. That way, they’ll be completely safe 😉

Children were at your house in adorable costumes with big smiles and you’re complaining?

What part of cute makes you unhappy?

I took the kids last night, they had a great time, you haven’t seen pure joy until you’ve seen an 8 year old kid splitting a bucket full of lollies with her sister.

About half the doors we knocked on gave something, the other half either had nothing on hand or didn’t wish to go along.

No big deal though, we just said thanks and moved on, I’m not sure why anyone would get angry

ConanOfCooma said :

Halloween “…has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day…”.

It is not an American holiday, I am sick of people perpetuating total crap that “someone” told them.

Considering the European ties that we are happy to uphold with “Australian” traditions, I don’t understand why you all can’t be more forgiving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

Too right. Halloween is not an American holiday, saying so just makes you sound like a stupid idiot. It originated in Europe, where most of us have ancestry. Do you hate Christmas and Easter as well? Celebrating Halloween is no different from celebrating those – which were also originally pagan holidays from Europe.

Besides, anyone who has a problem with people dressing up and having a fun time must be pretty sad.

And I bet after you finished your studys you went and turned on the T.V to watch an american show or do you turn that off as well.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YOU ALL….

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

I just don’t think it is a good idea to encourage children to solicit lollies from strangers.

There has never been a single confirmed case of a child being poisoned by candy obtained through trick or treating, unless you count a father who tried to murder his own son. As for pins, needles and razor blades: 80 reported cases in the US since 1959, almost all were hoaxes, with just ten resulting in even minor injury. You’re more likely to kill your kids with supermarket-grade pain killers.

Yes I know. It was more a comment along the lines of ‘hey kid, have some lollies and get in my car’.

And yes, I am aware that statistically children are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone they already know.

For the younger kids, it’s an excuse to dress up.
For the ‘older kids”… say late teens onwards, Halloween is just another excuse to get on the piss. There has been two weeks worth of Halloween parties at ANU so far, though curiously none on Halloween itself.

It’s stupid yank trash dressed up as an excuse for getting on the piss.

The balloon is a great idea!

It is an American tradition that is not celebrated in this country

There’s no point in letting reality get in the way of a good bit of yank-bashing is there?

In our street, households that were participating put an orange balloon on their letter box – it meant that the kiddies didn’t waste time harassing folk who didn’t give a sh!t. We had around a dozen groups of kids call – the really young ones with their mums or dads and the older ones by themselves. I was quite impressed with some of the costumes the kids had prepared.

As an aside, I was at a barbecue on Saturday night and there were a couple of families there that had just come to Australia from Scotland – they were really surprised how low-key the whole Halloween thing was here in Australia. Apparently back in (rural) Scotland it was quite an event.

I just don’t think it is a good idea to encourage children to solicit lollies from strangers.

There has never been a single confirmed case of a child being poisoned by candy obtained through trick or treating, unless you count a father who tried to murder his own son. As for pins, needles and razor blades: 80 reported cases in the US since 1959, almost all were hoaxes, with just ten resulting in even minor injury. You’re more likely to kill your kids with supermarket-grade pain killers.

Parents letting or taking their kids trick or treating in this country should be shot. It is an American tradition that is not celebrated in this country.

We had some kiddies with parents try it for the first time a few years ago, open the door and look at them, say wtf, go way then ignored the other couple. That learned them pretty quickly, nobody has come knocking the past 2 years.

I had the same experience. Had nothing last year and trick or treaters came to the door. This year I was prepared and not a single person.

I hope that people do adopt the tradition, as some people have said, it’s fun for kids and a chance for people to get to know their neighbours maybe. If you are one of those ones that hate it, maybe you need to ask yourself why, and if it is just because it’s perceived as an American tradition, yeah, get over it.

Back to what the OP said, were these creepy kids in costume or kids in creepy costumes? How did you know they were creepy if they were wearing costumes?

Our neighbours got done, but we seem to have been immune. Yet another benefit of buying a battleaxe, I suppose. (yes, you may interpret that comment either way)

But I like the signifier idea too; I can’t be bothered, but that’s no reason why I should begrudge anyone else participating.

lobster said :

People celebrate Oktoberfest and we don’t live in Germany.
People celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we don’t live in Ireland
People celebrate Christmas in July and we don’t crucify them either.

People just hate on Halloween because they think it makes them cool.

I just don’t think it is a good idea to encourage children to solicit lollies from strangers.

lobster said :

People celebrate Oktoberfest and we don’t live in Germany.
People celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we don’t live in Ireland
People celebrate Christmas in July and we don’t crucify them either.

People just hate on Halloween because they think it makes them cool.

Those are just big drinking holidays – hence their popularity! I don’t really do either of them because I can’t bear big crowds drinking green beer etc. And Christmas in July is celebrated by those who do it mainly so we can have a big rich feast at a seasonally appropriate time of year. I’d love it if we all celebrated the various feast days at the seasonally appropriate time of year. they’d just make so much more sense. I don’t want to celebrate pumpkins and the turning of the world into darkness in OCTOBER when it’s all sunshine and spring days!

Kids dressing up and having a good time.

I can’t see a problem here.

I think the problem comes from the fact that over the past few years this ‘holiday’ has been more and more pushed by the major supermarket chains. This year every supermarket seemed to have a Halloween section, and it does seem that they are trying to manufacture this into another ‘must-do’ holiday event where everyone feels obliged to participate.

For those concerned about the threat of US cultural takeover, you may be pleased to know that Krispy Kreme (Australia) has gone into voluntary liquidation.

I think the ‘sign’ idea of a pumpkin, poster or no light thing is a good idea. I felt really bad saying to trick or treaters, ‘sorry, I don’t have anything to give out’ as I’d totally forgotten. They could have had a few grapes pr a vegimite sandwich each mebbe, but I was honestly out of anything sweet in the house.

People celebrate Oktoberfest and we don’t live in Germany.
People celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we don’t live in Ireland
People celebrate Christmas in July and we don’t crucify them either.

People just hate on Halloween because they think it makes them cool.

Captain RAAF said :

Next year I’m going hardcore!

Gay Pr0n?

For the most part it’s harmless. You get to meet some neighbours and the kids get a kick out of it. Can’t anyone come up with another excuse to hate halloween besides (wrongly) saying it’s American?

This year, I was ready!

I recently purchased a costume for my work end of year function, a ghoul mask and black robe. I decided that if any of the local brats were going to knock on my door and force me to get up out of my comfy recliner the little buggers were going to earn their lollies, so……

I opened and secured the screen door early in the evening so that when I opened the front door they would clearly see me.

So, settling down to watch a DVD, I waited and at about 6pm some small figures arrived at my door and rang the bell. A quick peek out the window and there were about 4 kids there, all dressed up. I donned my mask and opened the door slowly, I poked my terrible visage around the corner and their smiles turned to frowns, I then tossed lollies at them while growling and they laughed and made off. I noticed they had a parent with them and he went from casually observing the kids during the whole trick or treat to ‘hang on, who’s this freak with my kids!’ mode in about 1.437 seconds. It was funny.

Next lot of kids were the neighbours, I opened the door and growled at them, they all collectively shit themselves and the little 5 year old girl started crying, I tossed lollies at them and they quickly scooped them up and made off at a run.

I laughed, lots!

Next year I’m going hardcore!

We had 3 knocks at the door. The first at around 6.30 (when still light) were 6 kids all dressed up. We gave them chocies and they moved on with a smile. The next were our next door neighbours kids all dressed up. Again, all good. Later at around 8.30, when dark, there was a third knock at the door. A 15/16 year old boy by himself with dark sunnies on and not dressed up at all, muttered ‘trick or treat’. We were a bit surprised by his appearance. Making conversation seemed to be no use. He seemed to have a big bag of goodies, but certainly not your traditional ‘trick or treater’. Maybe he had the druggie munchies and needed some chocolate? The first 2 knocks on our door were welcome and a pleasure, the third was somewhat “different”. Anyone else have such visitors?

First post.

Our family has just returned from almost 2 years in Canada, where the Halloween tradition is as strong as it is in the USA. We experienced 2 halloweens while we were there and until I experienced it, I realised that we miss the point of Halloween. For the kids, its about dressing up and collecting candy. But its much more than that – its bigger than Christmas. Where Christmas is more a quiet family affair, Halloween is a giant public street party. The rule for kids is that they only eat the candy that is wrapped, for safety, and shops sell bulk packets of wrapped candy.

Where we lived (Vancouver) almost every house takes part. Those houses that want to take part dress their houses up a week or two before Halloween, the decorations varying from fairly basic to full-on. Lights, costumes, statues, cobwebs, graveyards, animated zombies etc. Houses not decorated or lit-up are respected and not visited, so the “trick” part is never acted on. Its all good natured.

Halloween night is early winter in the northern hemisphere, so it gets dark early, but not too cold. That night, the streets are full of people – kids going door-to-door, parents accompanying them, meeting their neighbours, the houses if full glow of gaudy, creepy lighting. There are parties in parks, and bonfires on the beach. Cars are almost absent from the streets, so its safe to walk on the roads. Its tacky, but its fun, and its a great community get-together.

Not saying that it necessarily needs to be a part of Australian culture, but there is more to it than just costumes and candy.

Snarky said :

Where we lived in the UK, whether or not you were willing to play along with trick or treating on Halloween was communicated by the presence or absence of a carved pumpkin, scary poster or similar near the front door on the night. Pumpkin showing = sweeties, no pumpkin = save your breath and move on. Worked pretty well.

It was a similar story when I was living in Virginia, porch light on meant come on up, no porch light meant do not disturb. The neighbourhood association also set restrictions on the age of children participating and the time of night at which door knocking would stop.

Next year I’m opting for trick.

I’ll burst out the front door wearing a hockey mask and bloody apron with my chainsaw.

That’ll learn them.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

I really liked having my windscreen covered in flour because I had the audacity to politely inform unknown children that I would not be giving them lollies.

The best is when they egg the windscreen after flour bombing it. Creates a lovely windscreen batter.

Kids dressing up and having a good time.

I can’t see a problem here.

Agreed. All pretty harmless really.

Halloween “…has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day…”.

It is not an American holiday, I am sick of people perpetuating total crap that “someone” told them.

Considering the Eurpoean ties that we are happy to uphold with “Australian” traditions, I don’t understand why you all can’t be more forgiving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

I really liked having my windscreen covered in flour because I had the audacity to politely inform unknown children that I would not be giving them lollies.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Australian culture

Is that where you selectively copy everything good to ever come out of the US, the UK or New Zealand and claim it’s yours?

Don’t forget Beer And Meat On A Stick Day.

How terrible.. kids having a good time dressing up!

I hope you told them off so you could get back to surfing the net! (another horrible cultural adoption from the US!).

Alternatively, you could just buy the $5.00 worth of lollies to hand out and cheer up.

Last week we opened the letter box to find a flier from one of the neighbours inviting us to a trick or treat walk around the block, They asked for us to meet at local park at 5pm all kids must have parent with them and if we didn’t have kids but want to hand out some lollies etc to put a balloon or something on the letter box to let the kiddies know who’s door to knock on. We thought it was a great idea to give notice and have the chance to join in, unfortunately we didn’t do it as it was raining and we headed off to our halloween party.

Australian culture

Is that where you selectively copy everything good to ever come out of the US, the UK or New Zealand and claim it’s yours?

Where we lived in the UK, whether or not you were willing to play along with trick or treating on Halloween was communicated by the presence or absence of a carved pumpkin, scary poster or similar near the front door on the night. Pumpkin showing = sweeties, no pumpkin = save your breath and move on. Worked pretty well.

We saw several lots of kids dressed up in the neighbourhood last night, but the only group that actually knocked on our door were three very scantily clad teenage girls, apparent dressed as ‘nerds’. The missus gave them each a fun sized chocolate bar, which I thought was funny, since teenage girls don’t eat anything anyway.

I think it’s fine if a few groups of little kids dressed up wander around while it’s still daylight. It’s not something I think we should adopt on a larger scale, though.

My son with help of his big sister and later with his mate’s big sisters bagged loads of goodies.

My kids have always wanted to do it, my eldest daughter was a huge fan and always did it with other kids from the street and the others sometimes followed suit. They get cash ($5-$10) everytime too. My eldest reaching a new stage in her life didn’t dress up or ask for any treats herself this year. Just made sure to take her little bro out.

So I’m glad the generous folks around these parts helped in making some kids very happy. Perhaps if it offends you could put a sign up in similiar fashion to a no junk mail, except saying – No Trick or Treater’s. If my kids still knocked, you could knock ’em on the head 😉

I thought it was a nice way for us to get to know our neighbours as we have newly moved – send the kids out asking for lollies. Heck they love dressing up and we’re very excited about it – yes you can be all curmugeonly and claims its all americanisation or you could recognise it as a community activity which kids enjoy.

After a great many years of muttering about seppo traditions entrenching themselves in Australian culture and telling creepy kiddies to bugger off on holloween, I decided this year to be prepared and purchased a stock of sweeties. This year, however, not one knock on the door. Looks like I’ll have to eat the freddo frogs and redskins myself.

They’re allowed to ask, you’re allowed to say no.