One of my first chores after the school run today was to go and purchase a trick or treat bag and a pack of sweets. The bag is for M. She’s going on her first trick or treating expedtion this evening and obviously needs something to carry the haul home in. The pack of sweets is for any little visitors who might come to our door (although I think we may miss the bulk of them). Anyway, I nipped to the local supermarket and successfully stocked up. Glad I went early though as the Hallowe’en shelves were looking pretty depleted which started me thinking about just how popular and indeed, commercialised, the whole thing is these days.
I was chatting to my Canadian friend over the weekend. Being north American, she grew up with the Hallowe’en hoopla and told me all about how they would get pillowcases full of ‘candy’ and occasionally be given an apple and a toothbrush by some killjoys. She asked about how we celebrated Hallowe’en here as children and I laughingly told her that there were no pumpkins, just turnips which were a nightmare to hollow out and smelt revolting. I added that we didn’t really have costumes either, just a plastic mask and a black bin liner and we didn’t get sweets, but maybe ten pence instead. Oooh, I almost feel nostalgic. Almost.
Anyway, so things have moved on and, like it or not, Hallowe’en is big business now. I have to say that I don’t have any strong feelings either way, but I can see that, for a six year old, it’s a LOT of fun and for that reason I’m happy to accompany her and her little friends as they go and knock on a few doors (we’ve cannily selected a couple of local streets which are reputed to be very generous).
Happy Hallowe’en!
