… or to be more precise, I hate trick and treating. This is a financially commercial import from the USA where it is a lovely and understood tradition. It’s great in the States! Here it is not a tradition, and nor is it lovely. Yes, we always had the idea of Halloween, and we would have Halloween parties and dress up, but the shops full of cheap and rubbishy gewgaws and knick-knacks, grotesque outfits even for little children, nasty lurid cakes and sweets… repulsive and revolting and rampant exploitation!
I’m sure lots of older people don’t understand trick or treat… and it can be intimidating too; when I taught there were quite a few kids who would go round their neighbourhoods armed with eggs, flour, fireworks etc ready to throw at any one. who didn’t give them something… and they usually expected money!
Commercial enterprises want to fill the gap between Easter and Christmas and have promoted Halloween for greed; we used to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night on November 5th with parties and fireworks and special food, that is our autumn festivity, not parents forced to buy expensive costumes, gimcrack rubbish and disgusting sweets for their children.
There… that’s my Ebenezer Scrooge moment over and done with!
Lois Elsden 
I’m a Halloween Scrooge too – abhor the commercial bandwagon!
LikeLike
Yes, all these commercial bandwagons have spoiled what should be fun and a time to forget the heaviness of reality. I feel the same has happened with Christmas also, I can’t watch television for cringing when the constant adverts are pushing kids toys down our throats at only £100.
LikeLike
You’re right… spoiled it!
LikeLike
I know that’s why I always tried to keep Christmas magical for Will when he was younger by doing simple things like going out to cut the holly to decorate up and dressing the tree together with Christmas music on in the background. It obviously worked as he still likes his Christmas’s like that.
LikeLike
We used to go out and collect dry grass for the reindeer! And we always leave something for Santa… a mince pie and a glass of something to warm him against the chill! Rory and Mads are 20 and 18 but we still do it!
LikeLike
I think that’s wonderful, Lois. Your children obviously loved it too. I was thinking about you whilst on my walk – I thought about your lovely food posts and then giggled to myself, I am an absolute foodie, it’s such a good job we’re virtual friends instead of in reality, I think we would be doing too much foodie stuff. Ha Ha.
LikeLike
Surely there can’t be too much foodie stuff?… But, yes… although it’s not easy eating virtual food, though it’s better for the waistline!
LikeLike
No, there can never be too much foodie stuff – except when my trousers are too tight – it’s a pain.
LikeLike
It’s terrible the way trousers keep shrinking, there ought to be legislation about it, an EEC directive or some such – they have them about everything else!!
LikeLike
Ha Ha! Great one! Yes, I agree – I’m sure that they think we’re stupid the way they sneakily cut back on material.
LikeLike
You should blog on this – I think we need to share it with the nation – and the world!
LikeLike
I think you’re right, although once I got started, I think I’d need gagging to shut me up. Wow – we could start a new conspiracy theory.
LikeLike
But that’s what it is – a conspiracy theory! Wow! I always dreamed of finding one! You must expose this scandal to the innocent world!
LikeLike
Do you think I should go undercover?
LikeLike
A decidedly good idea… what will your cover story be? Have you read John le Carré at all… maybe you should go deep cover!
LikeLike
I haven’t read John Le Carre – I will have to, I think. I’m thinking of disguising myself as Boris Johnson – that will fox the lot of them.
LikeLike
That’s it! Being Boris you can get away with anything, do anything, be anything!
LikeLike
I’m looking for a mop head on amazon as we speak.
LikeLike
… and an ill-fitting suit, Oxfam should do!
LikeLike
I am going in undercover – I’ve got a tick list – mop, ill fitting suit and crash helmet.
LikeLike
Bicycle clips, don’t forget the bicycle clips!
LikeLike
Nearly did – thank goodness I’m not in it on my own.
LikeLike
You probably need sandwiches wrapped in grease proof paper and secured with an elastic band… oh and don’t forget the leaky thermos
LikeLike
Problem is – what to put on the sandwiches?
LikeLike
Think Boris… it will either be along the lines of cheese and piccalilli (I’ve got piccalilli on my brain!) or Marmite… or maybe something off the wall like sardine and marmalade.
You can’t go wrong if you think Boris
LikeLike
Well, according to Will, it would be marmalade, like Paddington Bear (I’m back to Boris being like a bear again) which I agree with but I have a sneaky feeling that he would have sardines or pilchards with them. I’m virtually ready to go – the only problem is I can’t get my trousers fastened, they are too tight – does this mean that I am going to fall at the first pole due to a conspiracy I am about to uncover?
LikeLike
Quick! Your cover is blown! Ditch Boris, go for someone less flamboyant – possibly Scots so no need for trousers!Maybe MacBoris? A sporran would be useful and a skean dhu for protection!
LikeLike
Thanks for letting me know, I’m under the table as we speak – I’ll have to purchase a kilt of ebay. I’ll stay undercover until it arrives. Over and Out.
LikeLike
Look for a John le Carré book too – my all time favourite is “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy…” vastly superior to the rubbishy film they made.
LikeLike
I don’t like anything about it, never have.
LikeLike
Bring back cob coaling!
LikeLike
Definitely! But do you know, I always thought it was cobby calling…. oh dear, us adopted Northerners! I’ve still lived longer in the north than the south, but another couple of years and I’ll be back to being an effete southerner!
LikeLike
I’m with you, Lois! Even though I grew up in Canada, my parents thought the same thing, and we didn’t take part. Now it’s in Australia too, and it annoys me that people get on the bandwagon when there is no tradition of it here. And yes, it has become a money making exercise, but i won’t be promoting it in my gallery! =D
LikeLike
Great! When I see the little kids, like my neighbours children, all dressed up and excited I feel so mean… but it’s just cynical exploitation, and no-one really knows what to do!
LikeLike
Bah! Humbug! Yes, Guy Fawkes Night is so much better, and you get to burn the person of your choice in effigy.
LikeLike
So many to choose!
LikeLike
Agree completely. Love 5 November – mt parkin is maturing!
LikeLike
I’m going to be making some tomorrow!
LikeLike
I think the same as you Lois, the bin is now behind my gate to stop anyone coming to our door!!
LikeLike
It’s pouring with rain, so I hope it will keep them away! I also have Bari in attack mode!
LikeLike
No H here. 55+ community. When I was a kid I preferred a few coins tossed into my bag rather than candy but too few people understood that.
LikeLike
Better for your teeth!
LikeLike