Halloween as a cultural event

We've had one set of trick-or-treaters. I pray no more show up, so I can eat the rest of the candy.

We had lots of trick-or-treaters! I was so excited! Still have a bit of candy left, but I think hubby can take care of that!

We had no one. 2 full bags of mini twix are sitting on the counter now! I never buy candy to have in the house. Now it's just sitting there... taunting me!

Halloween used to be one of my favourite holidays. I have really fond memories of it as a child.  We'd go out at eight and return a little after elven, that is we did return home a few times, but only to empty out our pillow sacks full of candy and head back out again.  I thought it was quite awesome that millions of grown ups would humour kids by leaving their lights on and handing out candy! The last, oh ten Halloweens I had in the US were abysmal.  Every year I'd buy candy, leave on the porch light and no one would show up. One year I took to the streets with my candy bowl and toys (I worked for a company that gave us tons of superhero toys that I really had no use for) and found kids to give candy and toys to!

This is my first Halloween in the UK. I share the same sadness as above posters - it will never be the same here.  I didn't see any trick or treaters at all on the roads. I'm really surprised to hear that people in the thread actually had some.  Maybe its more popular in some towns over others? I think next year, when I *hopefully* move out of my inlaws and into DH's and I's own place we'll have a Halloween party or something. Something... anything... 

I heard Guy Fawkes night mentioned, what does one do during it besides watch fireworks? I'd ask DH, but he strangely doesn't know what most people do during holidays etc. 

I'd ask DH, but he strangely doesn't know what most people do during holidays etc. 

HAHAHAH, my boyfriend is the exact same way! He usually shrugs. 

Bonfire Night is awesome!  I think once you've experienced it, you will be pleased.   

That depends on where you are.  Some places are more awesome than others. 

I never understood the obsession with the scary element in the UK.

I grew up in 3 states and all of them had age-appropriate things (i.e. not scary for the little ones, scarier for the older kids and teens, and adult parties).

I also felt/feel that Hallowe'en was/is mixed in with the whole celebrating autumn/harvest idea that carries through to Thanksgiving. Bobbing for apples, carving pumpkins, etc. And now that I have my own kids, the farm visits with hay rides, mazes, pumpkin picking, etc. are part of the run-up to Hallowe'en.

I always get annoyed by the whole Hallowe'en is a crappy American holiday when it's roots are clearly from the UK. I think it's just sour grapes that we went and made it better.

I heard Guy Fawkes night mentioned, what does one do during it besides watch fireworks? I'd ask DH, but he strangely doesn't know what most people do during holidays etc. 

Depends on where you are.  I've been to ones local to me in coventry where they had a huge bonfire, fireworks set to music, and a funfair.  Some places burn effigies of Guy Fawkes or others on their bonfires.

Here's the link to some of our local ones to give you an idea:
http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/426/health_and_safety-fireworks_advice/1141/firework_displays/2

Afraid I came back and visited the site too late to make use of the link, but thank you DH and I ended up driving to a high point up in the country which we were able to watch fireworks decently from the surrounding towns.  I'd love to go to a bonfire next year though

This morning we had to throw our jack o' lanterns away  We had them lit every night in our bedroom window and really enjoyed the smiley happy pumpkin faces that they cast on the ceiling each night.  I'm actually really upset about having to throw them away.  I could probably squirt a tear or two   Now I wish I had some sort of ceramic J'lantern to put in the window and plug in   *Sniffle*

I'm a bit late to this conversation, but I have a theory as to why 'costumes at Halloween should be scary' seems to be the rule in the UK. 

In the US we don't have a culture of fancy dress parties (I never was invited to a costume party of any sort (other than on Halloween) in the 40 years I lived in the US. So the one time of the year when you can dress up means anything goes!  I was never anything scary for Halloween, ever.  The fact that it has to be scary would have really cramped my style!  This is not to deny that there is a real scary element to Halloween in the US--of course there is!  I won't go into the whole Samhain thing, most people know and can look it up on Wikipedia if they don't, but that is the origin of Halloween.  But scary does not mean evil, but won't argue that point here.

Anyway, growing up in the 70s and 80s in Philadelphia meant bags and bags of candy, most to all of the neighbors getting in on the action with great decorations and loads of kids trick-or-treating, dressed as whatever their hearts desired.

It's really cool that the Brits like and use some of the very American celebrations/traditions we enjoy in the States. Usually the Americans are the one's copying the traditions from other countries, and that is because we here in America are a population of immigrants.Many of us have heritages that are from various regions on the globe and those cultures were brought here by our great grandparents. Maybe the Uk is becoming somewhat Americanized?

It's really cool that the Brits like and use some of the very American celebrations/traditions we enjoy in the States.

You might find that quite a lot of people here don't think it's 'cool'. 

Maybe the Uk is becoming somewhat Americanized?

I hope not!!! 

I hope not!!! 

Ditto!