Prue DeAraugoIs The Trick (Or Treat) On Us?
October 27th 2009 10:51
Let’s face it, Halloween wouldn’t be the first thing Australian’s have borrowed from American culture but don’t you think it would be nice if we set the boundaries. You see, there are some who will naively embrace this seemingly happy (and giving) holiday, ah yes that would be the children. Then there’s the parent’s who, by and large, were not so lucky as to experience the phenomena of dressing up in scary costumes and forcing their neighbours, albeit perfect strangers, to hand over yummy, sugary snacks under the duress of being ‘tricked’. Then of course there are the true winners in all of this…the retailers. So good for them right? They’re businesses and their business is selling. Why not adopt a cash cow like Halloween and reap the rewards.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not one to wantonly spoil a good time. I do actually love the idea behind Halloween but for me its go hard or go home. If we are officially adopting this tradition, then let’s learn what it’s all about. Most people probably don’t even know that Halloween didn’t originate in America (though it is their second most popular holiday after Christmas). There are links to show that Halloween originated with the Irish Celts, Scots and Anglo-Saxons in Britain long before the Christian era. The name “Halloween” is a shorter form for the Gaelic name All-hallow-evening and it was their belief that all manner of folk, alive or dead, have access to the world on this particular night. Pretty dark stuff, I can see why they wanted to pump up the whole lolly giving angle!
Interestingly in my search for information on this topic, I came across a website called www.halloween-australia.com. This site acknowledges the staggering growth of Halloween in Australia and is basically a bit of a ‘how to' on all things All Hallows, letting viewers list events and even Halloween friendly suburbs and streets where trick or treaters are welcome. And what do you know...my suburb is on the list!
Oh well…when in Rome…
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Comment by Anonymous
Do we want to encourage our kids to take 'candy' on the 31st of October from strangers that other days of the years we ask them to be careful off, perhaps this could create a long forgotten concept of community and neighbourhood pride.
Like the author states 'When in Rome"
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
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