Monday, October 29, 2012

Happy Halloween



Since tomorrow is Devil’s Night, and the day after that is Halloween, I thought it would be fun to talk about those topics today. I’ll leave All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day for someone else ;)



Is Devil’s Night celebrated where you live? Devil’s night here, in Southern Ontario, is pretty much an excuse for teenagers to get away with pranks, like smashing pumpkins, throwing eggs at houses, or covering someone’s tree with toilet paper. It’s definitely a night to stay in, and bring your pumpkins in. J



Now onto, Halloween! Is Halloween celebrated where you live? Do you like Halloween? I can always remember celebrating Halloween, from the costumes I wore when I was little, to the class parties, all the way up to today, where I am enjoying it anew with our daughter. And I will admit, I like it!



Although, lately I’ve been hearing that at some schools, in my area, the teachers want to have an orange and black day, to replace any mention or activities related to Halloween, because they argue that Halloween has roots in Paganism. Hence, the children would only be allowed to wear orange and black, there would be no costumes, or other traditional Halloween activities. 


Do you agree with changing the holiday to orange and black day? If you do, then we will have to agree to disagree, because I see Halloween as a fun holiday. A time to dress up, play games, make Halloween decorations, visit a pumpkin patch, carve pumpkins, eat roasted pumpkin seeds, go trick-or-treating, and devour tons of chocolate and candy! J 

You probably noticed that I left out watching horror movies. And that’s because I don’t watch them. I really do like a Happy Halloween, and not a scary one! Do you like horror movies? I really can’t watch them, because my writer’s brain is too imaginative to let me sleep after, and I do like my sleep! J



So please, share your thoughts, your memories, or what plans you have for Halloween this year, I’d love to hear from you!


13 comments:

  1. Hi Eva Maria,
    In Australia we do celebrate Halloween now but it's only really taken on within the last decade. When I was little, it was regarded as similar to Independence Day, that is, an American holiday and not applicable to us. Now our shops are full of Halloween food, pumpkins for carving, spider webs and gimmicks. The streets do have trick-or-treaters so we always buy some sweets for them. I've never heard of Devil's Night though. Sounds like a good time to stay home.
    Blessings,
    Paula

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  2. I gre up in Ontario and never heard of Devil's night, although I have heard that Hallowe'en has become the biggest, worldwide event in the calendar, and dear to a marketer's heart. Maybe the devil's night is an excuse to turn Hallowe'en into a two day event. I've also heard there is a backlash against Hallowe'en especially by fundamentalist Christians. Perhaps that's why your teachers are looking at black and orange, to replace any religious connotations. Just like Christmas has been changed to Holiday Season. (ugh). Anyway, I had lots of fun dressing up as red riding hood, a nurse or a princess when I was little. My Mom had a navy blue cape, lined with red satin -- it was the perfect starting point for any number of costumes. :-)
    Happy Hallowe'en, everyone.

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  3. Hi Paula! Thanks for sharing what's been going on in Australia! By American, do you mean the US or North American?

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  4. Hi Alice! I can't believe that Halloween has overtaken Christmas, Easter, or New Year's Eve as the biggest event! Your costumes sound like they were cute! And I too love those pieces that can work in many ways! Happy Halloween to you, too!

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  5. Hi, I meant the US. Not the whole of North America including Canada. I think that's the general view Aussies would have had of Halloween in the last few decades :)

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  6. Thanks for clearing that up for me, Paula! So interesting! Happy Halloween!

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  7. Hi Eva, all our shops market it, but it's more up to individuals here to get into it. Not too many bother in the area where we live,
    (Sydney.)Some kids turn up occasionally and we give them lollies and Christian tracts for children. I must admit I'm not too keen on celebrating anything to do with spooks, devils or witches etc. But I wouldn't want to spoil anyone's fun if that's what they wanted to do.

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  8. In the US Halloween has grown to number two behind Christmas as a consumer holiday. So much so that Halloween and Christmas stuff are on sale simultaneously. Our American Thanksgiving which is the end of November is barely noticed.
    As a believer and one whose husband was involved in the occult before his conversion we do not celebrate Halloween. He told me the most powerful spells can be cast on midnight on Halloween. That said I need not say more. When our children were growing up our church had a harvest party with a bonfire, hayride and lots of food, and fun at a farmer's home. It was such a great memory for our kids.

    Zombies and creepy stuff seem to be the order of the day here more than positive characters. Even small children want to dress as creepy things.
    Some churches have theme parties where everyone comes as a Biblical character.
    Others have trunk or treat. Members encouraged the children at their church and in the surrounding neighborhood to visit their parking lot and go car to car to get treats. They also provide crafts and positive activities. The goal is to spark an interest in their church.

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  9. While we try not to 'celebrate' hallowe'en, because we feel it isn't God-affirming, we cannot deny that our neighbours' need to know about God. So we do hand out treats, we do have carved pumpkins that say, 'Jesus loves you' on them and our son chooses his costume appropriately. We use that opportunity to get to know our neighbours better. To be the shining light that God wants us to be.

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  10. Rita, I'm not into the scary stuff either! :) And that's sweet of you to give out candy :)

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  11. JubileeWriter, some people do come up with great ideas to do on Halloween! Glad you have wonderful memories with your children at your church!

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  12. Eva, interesting post! Halloween was last night and I don't encourage my kids to participate. I've always perceived Halloween to be a North American tradition and, if we're going to pick up an American tradition, I'd rather celebrate Thanksgiving which has a positive message. It was interesting reading my FB feed last night. People were not happy to see kids wearing school uniforms who had not bothered to dress up turning up on their doorstep to trick-or-treat. We were out for dinner and missed any trick-or-treaters.

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