No, I'm glad you did. I had no idea that it wasn't still celebrated there. Here, as with most holidays, it's all about the commercial aspect. Which I guess explains why it has survived here. Oh, and the chocolate...
No, I'm glad you did. I had no idea that it wasn't still celebrated there. Here, as with most holidays, it's all about the commercial aspect. Which I guess explains why it has survived here. Oh, and the chocolate...
VK
You can't change the world but you can change yourself.
love it Soda!...was teaching more fun in costume?
Love it Soda!!
He sings it high, he plays it low
Great picture! Glad you posted it!
~ Cathy ~
And I dream I'm on vacation 'Cause I like the way that sounds,
It's a perfect occupation for me.
We didn't get any callers either. Probably because we don't have any children (living at home). When our two were young (and Halloween just beginning to 'emerge' in general, in England at least) the kids usually only knocked on the doors of friends' houses, or at least the doors in the street where they (the knockers) lived. I can't speak for other countries but many parents in the UK are very safety conscious about the kids and won't usually let them stray far on dark evenings.
I didn't know about the Celtic connection.
Wikipedia agrees that it probably went to America with Irish and Scottish emigrants.
I would have said that Halloween wasn't 'celebrated' (I use the term very loosely!) in England until about the last twenty years - and that's only come in through the commercial aspect of it. There are many English people who disagree with the whole 'witches/spooky' aspect of Halloween. (There is a mainly-hidden religious side.) And if you asked most English people I'm sure that they would say Halloween is American in origin.
The majority of the first settlers in Australia were English (as opposed to British which includes the Scots, Irish and Welsh) which is probably why Halloween wasn't celebrated there until fairly recently either.
English people attach far more importance to Bonfire Night on 5th November, when they commemorate the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot
You should have said it FP. Its discussions and debates like this that make the Border interesting!
I guess there IS a historical basis for Hallowe'en which appears to have originated in Ancient Rome - Possible associated with Christianity? And it then spread across the world.
When I was a kid we used dress up alright but costumes tended to be homemade, though we bought (horrible plastic) masks. Homes did NOT put up decorations but there was always a Halloween supper. Firewoeks became common with bonfires in the mid 80s where I loved.
It was also more common for kids 'trick or treating' to say 'Help the Hallowe'en Party'. And it was more common to get nuts and apples whereas now it all sweets!
'I must be leaving soon... its your world now'
Glenn Frey 1948-2016 RIP
Thanks for sharing your pic, Soda! Very cute!
I had two trick or treaters, family I had told to come by if they could! We live in the country and our kids are grown with no kids yet, so we don't ever have many. I enjoy them and do some decorating anyway, for me, I guess! Our little town nearby was full of kids going door to door. We had good weather for it too.
I enjoyed reading the history and discussion from you all as well! Thanks!
"They will never forget you 'till somebody new comes along"
1948-2016 Gone but not forgotten
"I didn't know about the Celtic connection.
Wikipedia agrees that it probably went to America with Irish and Scottish emigrants."
"The majority of the first settlers in Australia were English (as opposed to British which includes the Scots, Irish and Welsh) which is probably why Halloween wasn't celebrated there until fairly recently either."
This is an interesting explanation. Don't know what I thought but never realized the term British also included Scots, Irish, and Welsh. Also makes sense that the Scottish customs would emerge here, especially in the mountain regions where they mostly settled.
So if you see me walking all alone, don't look back. I'm just on my way back home.