I remember being in NYC one October when I was a child and being absolutely overcome by the big deal that Halloween was - huuuuuuuge decorations and lights outside every dwelling, costumes and pumpkins and face paint and spookiness everywhere you looked. I was absolutely TERRIFIED - I'd never seen or heard of anything like it over here in UK at the time, nor for many years after that. In the 40+ years since, though, trick-or-treating and decorating have become a much bigger deal.
I think it is a bit overwhelming. I could only ever take it in small doses as a child. I can't IMAGINE being in NYC for Halloween coming from your small village. You were very brave!
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! What a fun memory! And you are right about that part of being set out on our own in the dark in what seemed like a wild and reckless place WAS exhilarating! When I changed schools for middle school, that was the first time I encountered the kids who focused on tricks as much as treats. It was the first time I saw kids throw eggs, and TP a tree. It was very exciting! I remember the egg-throwing incident ended up being whispered about at school and eventually the culprits needed to repaint the victim's front door. In a small town, we all learned about it quickly!
I was picky about the candy, but still loved the windfall as a stopgap until Thanksgiving. Thanks as always for sharing your memories!
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!'
Thanks for letting me know how it works down under. It sounds like you approach it exactly the the right way for you and your family. I never liked the scary part either!
Thankfully the commercial focus started later on and by the time my kids were on the scene, we were in the place I described in the essay. It was always very community- and fun-focused which I loved.
Last night we were inundated with kids and their parents from our neighbourhood which was so much fun. There were some really creative costumes that the kids had worked on or made themselves (we asked!), and all the kids were encouraged to say thank you. Overall, I was happy to see such positive spirit still coming through. As a newish holiday here in the UK, it may have sprung from commercialism, but I try to focus on the creativity and the community spirit angle as much as I can.
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.
Interesting! I didn't go trick or treating there until I was in middle school, as I went to my friends' houses in other towns. Glad to hear there is something going on for the kids to enjoy. I'd love to see photos if you find them! Thanks for letting me know!
When my son was five, he said to me, "Mommy, Halloween just isn't your day." Very perceptive boy he was. I never enjoyed Halloween much after grammar school. In my work life, I never wore a costume more than black tights with pumpkins and a necklace from Oaxaca with clay skulls. A real fuddy-duddy.
I did, however, have a great time celebrating with my son in our apartment building in Manhattan. Kids and parents gathered in the lobby while the kids bobbed for apples and played pin the tail on the donkey. They'd parade around the block in costumes and rush back to our building to take the elevator to the tenth floor, trick or treat there, and then tear down to the ninth to get candy. On down they'd go on one side of the building and then the other. Afterwards an adult would open their home for a party (usually me). Parents would eat and drink, and like your kids, children gathered on the floor to survey and swap.
Those years of Halloween bring wonderful memories.
Here in Madrid, I've seen so many ghosts, goblins, princesses, monsters, and pirates on the street with parents lagging behind. Halloween here, like in the UK, is catching on quickly. Today, November 1, is a holiday, All Saints Day, which makes a lot more sense to me.
Loved these Halloween insights, Sabrina!
I remember being in NYC one October when I was a child and being absolutely overcome by the big deal that Halloween was - huuuuuuuge decorations and lights outside every dwelling, costumes and pumpkins and face paint and spookiness everywhere you looked. I was absolutely TERRIFIED - I'd never seen or heard of anything like it over here in UK at the time, nor for many years after that. In the 40+ years since, though, trick-or-treating and decorating have become a much bigger deal.
I think it is a bit overwhelming. I could only ever take it in small doses as a child. I can't IMAGINE being in NYC for Halloween coming from your small village. You were very brave!
It was extraordinary! I was only seven or eight, and had never seen anything like it! 👻
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! What a fun memory! And you are right about that part of being set out on our own in the dark in what seemed like a wild and reckless place WAS exhilarating! When I changed schools for middle school, that was the first time I encountered the kids who focused on tricks as much as treats. It was the first time I saw kids throw eggs, and TP a tree. It was very exciting! I remember the egg-throwing incident ended up being whispered about at school and eventually the culprits needed to repaint the victim's front door. In a small town, we all learned about it quickly!
I was picky about the candy, but still loved the windfall as a stopgap until Thanksgiving. Thanks as always for sharing your memories!
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!'
Thanks for letting me know how it works down under. It sounds like you approach it exactly the the right way for you and your family. I never liked the scary part either!
Thankfully the commercial focus started later on and by the time my kids were on the scene, we were in the place I described in the essay. It was always very community- and fun-focused which I loved.
Last night we were inundated with kids and their parents from our neighbourhood which was so much fun. There were some really creative costumes that the kids had worked on or made themselves (we asked!), and all the kids were encouraged to say thank you. Overall, I was happy to see such positive spirit still coming through. As a newish holiday here in the UK, it may have sprung from commercialism, but I try to focus on the creativity and the community spirit angle as much as I can.
Oh, and of course we ran out of candy again!
This post really brightened my day! Hmm, or should I say it FRIGHTENED my day...! Love the photos too, as always ❤️🎃💀
Ha! Good one. :) Thanks Jayne.
Hope you aren't getting too inundated with rain in your part of the country. And that the in-person writers hour went well! xx
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.
Interesting! I didn't go trick or treating there until I was in middle school, as I went to my friends' houses in other towns. Glad to hear there is something going on for the kids to enjoy. I'd love to see photos if you find them! Thanks for letting me know!
When my son was five, he said to me, "Mommy, Halloween just isn't your day." Very perceptive boy he was. I never enjoyed Halloween much after grammar school. In my work life, I never wore a costume more than black tights with pumpkins and a necklace from Oaxaca with clay skulls. A real fuddy-duddy.
I did, however, have a great time celebrating with my son in our apartment building in Manhattan. Kids and parents gathered in the lobby while the kids bobbed for apples and played pin the tail on the donkey. They'd parade around the block in costumes and rush back to our building to take the elevator to the tenth floor, trick or treat there, and then tear down to the ninth to get candy. On down they'd go on one side of the building and then the other. Afterwards an adult would open their home for a party (usually me). Parents would eat and drink, and like your kids, children gathered on the floor to survey and swap.
Those years of Halloween bring wonderful memories.
Here in Madrid, I've seen so many ghosts, goblins, princesses, monsters, and pirates on the street with parents lagging behind. Halloween here, like in the UK, is catching on quickly. Today, November 1, is a holiday, All Saints Day, which makes a lot more sense to me.