Halloween!! :D

So I'm a Halloween nut.  And by nut I mean I had 6 boxes of Halloween decorations (had to get rid of most because of moving) and start planning a costume in August!

My hubby says Halloween isn't as big of a day as in the US.  And I know I'm still going to force my friends to buy costumes and come to my Halloween party, but I wanted to know what everyone else has experienced?

Boo!

My experience?
Only twice in 20+ years have I ever had trick-or-treaters.
And, like... I'm happy with that! 

We've gotten a couple of trick or treaters the last 2 years (we didn't actually have candy last year, which made me feel terrible!)  We've been invited to a friend's big Halloween party for this year which we may or may not go to (I've never been big on Halloween even in the States- it's just not a holiday I like very much.)

Forget trick or treaters. So far and few between. Probably had a few dozen in all the 30+ years (and that is setting out pumpkins etc) and most of those were friends of my kids with a parent in tow). But best get a bag of sweets, just in case. I do every year. But then I get to eat those sweeties.

But when we were younger (oh so long ago), all of our friends would get into fancy dress and meet up in a pub and then onto the party. I made sure we didn't get to the pub first. Just a good excuse to let your hair and have a piss up.

But for kids, just not a big deal which is a pity because I loved halloween as kid in the states (suppose it's a bit different these days there). My boy is more interested in the bonfire and fireworks.

But for kids, just not a big deal which is a pity because I loved halloween as kid in the states (suppose it's a bit different these days there). My boy is more interested in the bonfire and fireworks.

That's sad it's not as a big deal for kids.  We don't have any yet, but Halloween has always been one of the favorite days since I was young. 

I am looking forward to my first Bonfire Night though.

That's sad it's not as a big deal for kids.  We don't have any yet, but Halloween has always been one of the favorite days since I was young. 

I am looking forward to my first Bonfire Night though.

It is because we always take the boy out (and we used to take the other two) and it is so disappointing but that's just the way it is. Think there'd be more interest with all us heathens up here LOL.

Bonfire can be good. Our local council & the local Round Table has, for the past 3 years, put on a really fantastic fireworks display and massive bonfire.

My husband has said that the town puts on a pretty good fireworks show too.

Is there anyone that decorates their homes for Halloween?  Carved pumpkins? Spider webs? Anything?....

My husband has said that the town puts on a pretty good fireworks show too.

Is there anyone that decorates their homes for Halloween?  Carved pumpkins? Spider webs? Anything?....

nope, and no one else in my neighbourhood does either.
On the actual night, some people will put out a carved pumpkin, but that's about it.

I was just talking about this in my office and the ladies here say that it is only just now becoming a celebrated holiday, so it is nothing like in the US.  I have seen few racks of costumes and some crap decorations for sale, but have yet to see a decorated house.  My husband claims no one decorates or carves pumpkis and very few kids go trick-or-treating.  Sorry to let you down, you will most likely be the only house on your street with decorations if you go for it.  

I do hope you get to celebrate Halloween in some way, JessicaKate, if that's what makes you happy.   

But in the last 20+ years, I have seen Britain getting more and more Americanised (changing in other ways too; and not for the better)... to the extent that it's barely anything like what it was when I arrived and fell in love with the place.
I really don't want to see Halloween becoming popular here like it is in the US... can't we just leave some things as they are?     :\\\'(

(probably not a popular opinion, but... it's mine.)

Well, I'll put some stuff out this year and see if anyone else on my street does next year...Maybe I'll have to stick a couple of bags of the fake spiderwebs in my 2 boxes I'm bringing on the plane...

I do hope you get to celebrate Halloween in some way, JessicaKate, if that's what makes you happy.   

But in the last 20+ years, I have seen Britain getting more and more Americanised (changing in other ways too; and not for the better)... to the extent that it's barely anything like what it was when I arrived and fell in love with the place.
I really don't want to see Halloween becoming popular here like it is in the US... can't we just leave some things as they are?     :\\\'(

(probably not a popular opinion, but... it's mine.)

You're always entitled to your own opinion.

I just happen to be a huge Halloween fan, and even though I'm moving to a new country that may not have the exact same culture, I don't want to give up the things I love.   Still going to watch American football, have turkey on Thanksgiving, and celebrate Halloween.  Because those are some of the things that make me, me.  I want to enjoy my new country and new culture, while still keeping some of my own.

30-odd years ago Halloween was practically unheard of -- in Leeds at least. Too close to Guy Fawkes which was a much bigger deal.  People would sometimes carve Swedes (rutabagas) instead of pumpkins and don't ask me why they didn't slice all their fingers off because those things are HARD!  Over the years there has been a little more interest in Halloween but nowhere near as in US.  I used to organize Halloween parties for the kids and their friends.  They loved dressing up and all the goodies. Played apple bobbing and apples on strings, etc.  One girl (now in her 30's) recently told me how much she enjoyed those parties.

It's definitely becoming more popular, but I have had the same experiences as others.  No trick or treaters.  I live on a main road in London, so that is probably why, my inlaws live in a cul-de-sac and they get a handful of neighbourhood kids each year.

I definitely think it's worth getting your friends excited for it and dressing up.  I suggested having a halloween party to my girlfriends in my baby group and everyone was totally up for it.  I think it helps that we have babies whom we can channel our energy into.  I love babies in costumes!  

One big thing I have noticed is that Halloween costumes tend to be traditional - witches, spiders, ghosts, devils.  Scary things only.  You may get a few princess costumes for little girls, but that's about it.  Oh and pumpkins.

I do hope you get to celebrate Halloween in some way, JessicaKate, if that's what makes you happy.   

But in the last 20+ years, I have seen Britain getting more and more Americanised (changing in other ways too; and not for the better)... to the extent that it's barely anything like what it was when I arrived and fell in love with the place.
I really don't want to see Halloween becoming popular here like it is in the US... can't we just leave some things as they are?     :\\\'(

(probably not a popular opinion, but... it's mine.)

I agree Q-G...I was very happy to get away from Halloween when we moved over here.  
JessicaKate it is becoming a big deal in our village, complete with decorations and trick or treating.  Our preschool also holds an annual Halloween disco which is well attended.  Like Karin said, the costumes tend to be witches, vampires, etc. 
 Luckily we live on the outskirts of the village and all of the Mums know that we don't celebrate it so we get left alone.