My earliest memories of Halloween were in suburban to rural Minnesota in the early 1960's. At least for the "big kids," I recall the "trick" in "trick-or-treat" being more than an idle warning. Soaping of windows and toilet-papering of trees were not uncommon. Most importantly for me, I remember being set loose with my older sisters when I was perhaps 6 years old. Sometimes we wandered the neighborhood in the dark by ourselves on foot; on others, an adult parent or older sibling served as a taxi cab driver. Even in this second case, we were largely in control of our path. The experience of being outside in the chill night, wandering down unfamiliar sidewalks, and knocking on the doors of strangers was exhilarating. I'm guessing that such freedom is rare, today. Certainly we did not grant it to our own young children. And the candy was good, too.
Wow! Halloween was indeed a big part of your life!
It was nothing here in Australia, meant nothing and we didn't acknowledge it in any way. As I and then my kids grew up, we never felt we were missing a thing. But then our retailers took the idea from the US, harangued children mercilessly with marketing, and the rest is history.
My own little 6 year old said yesterday he doesn't like Halloween. 'It's scary. I don't like the costumes. Can we go mountain biking instead, Nanny?'
'Of course you can, darling, and I'll ride with you!'
Now, your hometown probably has the scariest decorations in the county at the end of Lagunitas Road. One homeowner is responsible and he puts up larger than life size moving figures complete with lit eyes and talking sounds. It goes for about a block and ends at the entrance to Phoenix Lake. I will try to get pictures for you. Shady Lane is quiet these days. Guess the new people haven't continued the tradition of years past.
My earliest memories of Halloween were in suburban to rural Minnesota in the early 1960's. At least for the "big kids," I recall the "trick" in "trick-or-treat" being more than an idle warning. Soaping of windows and toilet-papering of trees were not uncommon. Most importantly for me, I remember being set loose with my older sisters when I was perhaps 6 years old. Sometimes we wandered the neighborhood in the dark by ourselves on foot; on others, an adult parent or older sibling served as a taxi cab driver. Even in this second case, we were largely in control of our path. The experience of being outside in the chill night, wandering down unfamiliar sidewalks, and knocking on the doors of strangers was exhilarating. I'm guessing that such freedom is rare, today. Certainly we did not grant it to our own young children. And the candy was good, too.
Wow! Halloween was indeed a big part of your life!
It was nothing here in Australia, meant nothing and we didn't acknowledge it in any way. As I and then my kids grew up, we never felt we were missing a thing. But then our retailers took the idea from the US, harangued children mercilessly with marketing, and the rest is history.
My own little 6 year old said yesterday he doesn't like Halloween. 'It's scary. I don't like the costumes. Can we go mountain biking instead, Nanny?'
'Of course you can, darling, and I'll ride with you!'
This post really brightened my day! Hmm, or should I say it FRIGHTENED my day...! Love the photos too, as always ❤️🎃💀
Now, your hometown probably has the scariest decorations in the county at the end of Lagunitas Road. One homeowner is responsible and he puts up larger than life size moving figures complete with lit eyes and talking sounds. It goes for about a block and ends at the entrance to Phoenix Lake. I will try to get pictures for you. Shady Lane is quiet these days. Guess the new people haven't continued the tradition of years past.