My Life on a Plate

Okay, So I'm a Killjoy

Being asked how we celebrate Halloween in England gives me a subject for a short entry today other than the details of my routine life of late.

You may not like what I say, but in the words of my literary partner 'Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.' Events differ from country to country and this is just my opinion on something I've come to despise here.

My sister remembers the Halloween celebrations in America from her childhood. She tells me children were escorted by adults to the homes of friends, dressed in mostly home-made costumes carrying their pumpkin lanterns. At the homes they visited, they then had to perform a song or a dance before being rewarded with a cookie or brownie. Now that sounds like innocent fun and quite a charming event for children to enjoy. I don't know if she has all her facts right or if Halloween is still celebrated that way over the pond, but if it is, then that's fair enough. My sister's memories are from over fifty years ago though, so I guess things may have changed somewhat.

When I was a child no one had even heard of Halloween and it was certainly not a date on the calendar to remember. I've read a bit about the origins of All Hallow's Eve but am not interested enough to study all the details. When it first hit this country I'm not sure, but it wasn't that long ago and in my mind has been introduced for one reason only - PROFIT. From September onwards our shops are full of pumpkins (no one eats them here I'm sure) expensive costumes, halloween edibles and gross accessories. Children can be heard begging their parents for these items and squealing if refused.

So, around the end of October (no 'one night only' here either) every evening is interrupted by unsupervised children, some as young as four, banging on the door demanding 'Trick or Treat.' The costumes are grotesque and enough to give an elderly person living alone a heart attack. What the children are actually asking for is money and those who do not oblige may find eggs splattered over their windows, their garden damaged or even their car turned upside down.

Now call me old-fashioned, but parents who allow their kids out alone in the dark begging and behaving in this manner are in my mind, totally irresponsible. Apart from which, to encourage children to approach total strangers and enter the homes of people they don't know is downright dangerous.

Not to mention that all this happens during England's horrific 'Firework Season,' when horrendous fireworks are freely available.

What do I do for Halloween? I make a ruddy great notice to stick on my door which reads politely, 'Sorry, NO trick or treat.' Sorry if you think I'm a killjoy, a boring old fart or a grumpy old woman. Maybe I am, but I don't believe in encouraging children to annoy others, put themselves in potentially dangerous situations or beg for money.

Enjoy your Halloween if you celebrate it, but please respect other people and their views. Tune in later this week for the even bigger rant about 'Bonfire Night.'