Trish Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 No halloween here, I'm a christian and I personally don't celebrate it, what everyone else does is their personal choice and I don't judge them for it. I don't like the way "trick or treat" is done round here, maybe you don't all have this problem, but it Leeds they really mean it! It's extortion with menace, give us sweets or we'll egg your car/house, put nails into your tyres, rub paint onto the door handle or write on your varnished wooden door in wax crayon (this last one was by a darling 8 year old with his parents watching, took years to get it out of the wood grain) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 No halloween here, I'm a christian and I personally don't celebrate it, what everyone else does is their personal choice and I don't judge them for it. I don't like the way "trick or treat" is done round here, maybe you don't all have this problem, but it Leeds they really mean it! It's extortion with menace, give us sweets or we'll egg your car/house, put nails into your tyres, rub paint onto the door handle or write on your varnished wooden door in wax crayon (this last one was by a darling 8 year old with his parents watching, took years to get it out of the wood grain) She's right, you know. I'm not saying it's the same all over Britain, but that's certainly what it's like where I live. We don't seem to get into the spirit of it the way the Americans do; it's like we've missed the point. Surely it's about fun, not making people's lives a misery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgirl73 Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Thankfully I have never had that problem wherever I have lived in the UK (and I've lived in a few places ) It does seem to be a problem for a few folks though and I can understand why you wouldn't want to take part if that is the attitude around you. it's a pity though, as i think it is such a fun night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Cn't believe I missed this topic. We love Halloween. We don't go trick or treating and we don't encourage it either but we do have a massive party every year. I decorate the conservatory with fake spiders webs and pumpkins, etc. We have fancy dress and smoke machines. Can't wait for this year's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 No halloween here, I'm a christian and I personally don't celebrate it, what everyone else does is their personal choice and I don't judge them for it. I don't like the way "trick or treat" is done round here, maybe you don't all have this problem, but it Leeds they really mean it! It's extortion with menace, give us sweets or we'll egg your car/house, put nails into your tyres, rub paint onto the door handle or write on your varnished wooden door in wax crayon (this last one was by a darling 8 year old with his parents watching, took years to get it out of the wood grain) I live just a few miles away from Trish, but Halloween is usually very restrained compared to what Trish describes. I go round with my two sproglets, we only knock on doors of those we already know and who we know are 'playing'. Often we meet up with the lads' friends and their parents on the way, so there may be about six children together. A little later they enjoy opening the door to the older kids and teenagers, they're all polite and say thank you. One year we ran out of treats and apologised to the five teenagers who knocked towards the end of the evening - they were very polite and didn't cause any trouble. Neighbours who aren't joining in leave front lights off and curtains shut, anyone displaying a lantern is fair game. Most give out sweeties but we have one lovely neighbour who bakes Halloween cookies every year. We would never dream of behaving in the way Trish has been treated and luckily it has never happened to us. What a shame that some people can't behave nicely and have to spoil it! Mind you, in Yorkshire that time of year is even busier than elsewhere as we have not only Halloween and Guy Fawke's Night to contend with, but also Mischief Night (November 4th). Kids are supposed to be able to play pranks and practical jokes with impunity and many of them do; it's another time when they need to know the difference between jokes and harrassment! Every year we have long discussions with the kids in my behaviour lessons about 'Miggy' night, hoping to clarify the difference.... and if they are going to be 'egging' anything, I insist that they use free-range eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Halloween isn't a big deal where I live. "Ooops, word censored!"ody really comes knocking. In Sefton Park (about half an hour drive from me) there is a Lantern Parade. http://www.liverpoollanterncompany.co.uk/halloween07.htm I've been to it a few times, I like Halloween and Bonfire Night. As a child Halloween meant hollowing out a turnip and cutting a face in it for a candle to glow through. (we didn't have pumpkins back then). We'd play bob apple and we'd turn all the lights off and scare each other. All very harmless. I don't like the idea of random people knocking on my door for sweets. Like others have mentioned, the children I know are taken round by parents for pre arranged visits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 I'm trying this year to grow some pumpkins, just so we can hollow them out and use for lanterns. I'm not holding my breath for them to grow as never done it before, so the shop bought ones could well be on standby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Share Posted August 31, 2008 Message for Angels4... Did you know that Sturbridge, Massachussets, is twinned with, and named after Stourbridge, where I live? Sorry, I'm always tickled pink when I see New England place names such as Worcester and Gloucester. Would love to visit that part of the US more than anything, it looks like there's more history there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Steph101 and any fellow Omleteers We have Plymouth (where the rock is) too. There are so many small towns and villages here in "New England" that have names which one would find in the UK. If you are EVER planning a trip here let me know and I would be happy to be a tour guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Hi Angels4/Mark we are hoping to do New England very soon, maybe Fall next year. We will have to meet up perhaps you can fix my rogue grey hairs that keep springing up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Sounds like a plan Ms Marple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Share Posted August 31, 2008 Steph101 and any fellow OmleteersWe have Plymouth (where the rock is) too. There are so many small towns and villages here in "New England" that have names which one would find in the UK. If you are EVER planning a trip here let me know and I would be happy to be a tour guide. We might hold you to that. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 It would be my pleasure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
