Halloween

[nothing2lose]

Halloween has its roots in ancient paganism and Christianity, sure. But the modern day lolly grab/schlock horror fest has
become far removed from its origins.

We didn't celebrate it here 20-30 years ago. It's genesis here is both retail-driven and a result of the all pervasiveness of American culture in Australian society.

I wouldn't let my kid go up to a stranger in a park and ask for a treat. Why would I let them go to a stranger's house and ask for one?

[Rouge]

We have designated houses And for me its more about the parties. The kids go to at least one every year.

But then I do have a love of the spooky

[LimeSlice]

I don't do the huge Trick or Treat thing, but I do celebrate Halloween - just actually ON Halloween.

I am not a fan of the whole door knocking for lollies, so wouldn't do it, or let my kids do it at strangers houses, but everything else I think is pretty cool - would just be way cooler if we actually celebrated it here when we are supposed to. I honestly think (aside from being more appropriate for what it is) that is would be so much more fun! When the things are in season as they should be, when it is actually colder and you can really feel and get a sense of the 'spooky'.

It is however, Beltane today, so Blessed Beltane everyone

[Cass72]

Where we were living last year the door knocking was organised by the community and the houses were clearly marked with a "please knock here" sign and well supervised by adults. The children came in groups - with the littlies first - and it was fun for everyone.

Halloween has its roots in ancient paganism and Christianity, sure. But the modern day lolly grab/schlock horror fest has
become far removed from its origins.

We didn't celebrate it here 20-30 years ago. It's genesis here is both retail-driven and a result of the all pervasiveness of American culture in Australian society.

I agree with you N2L - it is way too commercial and nothing like the festival originally was. But then again so are a lot of our other "holidays". I don't like that I can buy hot cross buns in the supermarket in January or, that Christmas seems to be a competition over who got the most expensive gift.

[LimeSlice]

It isn't just pagans, to be specific.
There are Day of the Dead traditions in most societies in the world, and most have developed independently of each other over centuries.

The Japanese Bon Festival is Buddhist in origin, Slavic traditions of visiting with the dead in Spring were adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church and now celebrated as part of Easter, the Mexican Day of the Dead traditions are rooted in Aztec festivals...

So whilst there are many aspects of the commerical 'American' celebration which are not very traditional, and lose sight of the real point of the day, it doesn't mean there aren't those of us that don't use those aspects in our personal culture, I imagine my feeling about what and how many people do to and for Halloween is similar to many Christians who despise the commericalisation of Christmas. Doesn't mean we don't celebrate Christmas, just means we take what we want from it and leave the rest.

In real time, modern North America was actually one of the LAST places to adopt Halloween.