Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve (ancient name) is still alive and kicking. Sorry, too many B-movies with zombies come to mind! Does anybody still celebrate this pseudo-holiday that derives from the old Celtic festival with pagan rituals? Halloween has its roots in the yearly seasonal changes, (celebration of life and death) and in remembering those who have passed away by comparing their deaths to the dark and cold winter months. Getting snow today as I write this! For young kids, teenagers and young adults at heart it is a chance to dress up in a cute or scary costume and stock up on your fill of sweets at the door. Feed our sugar addiction and fill the dentists’ coffer (cavities to fill) to pay for his new Mercedes AMG CLA45. For adults, it is a trip down memory lane to go to costume parties to get drunk and win prizes. Old habits and traditions die hard. (Sorry bad pun!)
Origin of Halloween
The origin of Halloween seems to derive from the ancient Celtic festival of the dead, Samhain (pronounced SOW-in). I had to look it up since the meaning has lost an appeal in modern times. With the later spread of Christianity, the Church attempted to tone it down with the celebration of martyrs and saints held on November 1st, All Saints Day. The Christian festival was called All-Hallows, while the evening before was called All-Hallows-Eve, and later Halloween. In other cultures like Mexico, the Days of the Dead Festival takes place…the celebration of the dead. Many people worried that on the evening ghosts of the departed would wander the fields and roads near their homes and be accosted on their way to and from the celebrations. Hence, they began to wear masks and other ghostly attire to fool the spirits so they would be safe from being molested. Japan has a similar celebration (Obon) but with lanterns.
Trick or treat
I don’t see many ghosts and goblins of Halloween haunting the streets and doorsteps of your neighbourhood anymore. Whatever happened to use bed sheets and handmade costumes, not something dreamed up by Disney or found at Value Village? Commercialism at its worst. Seriously, dressing up as a Frozen princess or a hobo is not going to ward off evil spirits! All about the consumption of sweets with trick-or-treating. Give me candy or I will be playing pranks like egging your house or toilet papering your house! You don’t want to rile up the older kids in the neighbourhood, right?
Fun for the kids
For young kids and toddlers, I get the appeal: make some homemade crafts and decor, play dress-up and get sweets. What gets better than that? I have a young toddler and downplay all the dark, unpleasant things associated with this pseudo-festival and holiday. However, I did have fun carving out a pumpkin with a stencil to make a Jack-o’-lantern. You know having family fun. Okay, having a child scooping out gooey pumpkin guts and seeds is pretty messy! One of the customs and traditions on Halloween along with dressing up and going trick-or-treating. Better yet, if your child(s) goes to daycare or school then there is a good chance you will get take-home Halloween crafts and drawings. More stuff to pin on the fridge!
Mischief and misbehaviour
One of the less desired old traditions associated with Halloween: is mischief, pranks and drunken teenagers. One of the things I detest and hate about this pseudo-holiday. I try not to decorate my place with pumpkins too early or I may find them smashed on the ground the next morning. For older kids and adults, it is an excuse to dress up in a scary or sexy outfit (girls) and attend haunted houses and costume parties. Nobody wants to act their age! Maybe I’m getting old, but public drunkenness and acting like a moron doesn’t appeal to me! Young parents dragging their children around to get free candy or go barhopping late at night is just wrong.
Music and horror movies
As I write this note during my commute, I am feeling nostalgic listening to old “shock-rocker”, Alice Cooper. Yes, he is still making music. It seems fitting at this time of the year even if you don’t remember him. Rob Zombie is another shock-rock (industrial metal) artist that comes to mind. Halloween is another excuse to play some of the cheesy 80’s music like “Monster Mash” and watch the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the umpteenth time. Sorry, I pass on the “cringe-worthy” material. Halloween is another excuse for movie companies to revive an aging horror movie franchise. Remember the “Friday the 13th” or “Nightmare On Elm Street”? I suspect watching horror movies in the comfort of your home is still common if you don’t want to go out on Halloween. Some of my favourites include ‘The Shining”, “The Exorcist” and “Beetlejuice.” Man, I feel old.
Hallows’ Eve, is an excuse to relive your childhood and have some old-fashioned fun. For other people, it is just a “candy grab” and a chance to scare the “bejeezus” out of someone with an outrageous costume. I prefer the latter: doing some family activities and embracing pleasant rituals and traditions; making Jack-o’-lanterns, watching movies and decorating the house. Do you enjoy this annual tradition or do you prefer to turn off all the lights and don’t participate?
