If you have a child aged between 5-10, I know what you’re doing this weekend.
You’re either fighting through an unwashed horde at the $2 Shop trying to find the last green fright wig in a size Extra Small, or you’re on the couch in front of Nashville sewing spider legs onto a black skivvy.
Because it’s Halloween. And if you have children, there is no escaping it.
Some people are not happy about that. People who think that it’s a ridiculous American custom. People who think it’s dangerous to encourage kids to knock on doors and ask for lollies. People who think that ghosts and ghouls and witches are not appropriate dress-ups for the under 15s.
To all of those people, I say Boooooooooooooo.
And so does Andrew Daddo.
When I was a child (cue violins), Trick-or-treating was a far edgier affair than the parentally-controlled, pre-arranged door-knocks that I’ll be taking my kids on this year. We used to dress up to look as terrifying as possible and roam the streets in packs, playing actual tricks on anyone who wouldn’t answer the door, or wouldn’t give us any chocolate. Nice, right?
Well, actually, it really was. Aren’t we always bemoaning the lack of community in our modern lives? Aren’t we always saying we wish we were better neighbours, that kids could play in the street and that we knew the people who lived around us? Festivals like Halloween give us that chance. With dress-ups and sugar thrown in.
What’s not to like?
Also, as one of our helpful Facebook followers points out, if you don’t want to give kids sweets and processed food for their treats, you can always hand-out little toys, stickers or badges. You know, the same kind of tat you put in a party bag. It’s not about what you get, after all, it’s all about the shakedown to get it.
You can listen to the whole episode in itunes, or, here:
And if you’re looking for some Halloween-spo, take a look at these cuties:
Top Comments
There's something wrong with telling children its ok to go to a strangers door and ask for lollies.
"We used to dress up to look as terrifying as possible and roam the streets in packs, playing actual tricks on anyone who wouldn’t answer the door, or wouldn’t give us any chocolate. Nice, right?"
Call me a Halloween grinch but this is part of what I hate about Halloween in Australia. American kids have grown up with it, they understand the etiquette and codes such a porch light off means that house is not participating. Many Australia kids seem to think it is a free for all to demand treats from people whether they are on board with the holiday or not.
My children are slowly being sucked in by the growing store displays and want to take part this year. I told them we would consider celebrating when they can tell me the history and meaning behind Halloween. They couldn't.