Tricks or Treats?

[GrumpyGoat]

This is our third Halloween in NZ. We had only been in NZ for a few weeks when the first Halloween came about. When I asked random kiwis about trick or treating, I was told (rather rudely) that they don't want that kind of stuff here.
I didn't see too much Halloween stuff going on that year.

Last year, went to a party at another American's house. She took the kids out trick or treating and was yelled at by a kiwi (who was wearing an american flag t shirt)

This year, I notice MUCH more Halloween activity going on--lots of decorations and costumes at the Warehouse, for example.

Is Halloween gaining ground here? Will kids be trick or treating?

[YouMeAndThree]

Personally I see it as an American event, the trick or treating side of things. I do think it is gaining in popularity here and also in the UK though.

I have never, nor will I, take my children trick or treating. They are going to a Halloween disco at school and that will be about the sum of our 'celebrating'. When I was little I just wanted to hide under the kitchen table because all the ghosts and ghouls were about, LOL!

I doubt whether anyone will come knocking on our door either - we live in the middle of the countryside surrounded by 90 acres of fields and only one (not very close by) neighbour with a year old baby.

[ralf-nz]

Is Halloween gaining ground here? Will kids be trick or treating?

It will be my fifth one this year and I think it is gaining. In my opinion mostly because of - aggressive - advertising and thus mere consumeristic. There will be - more - kids' Halloween parties but probably not very many kids will go trick-and-treating.

(PS: Coming from Europe for me 31st October is still "Reformation Day"!)

[Wooly_Cow]

Ever since I've been here the kids in our 'little vllage of a surburb' go "Trick or Treating" - of course it's in the warm evening sunshine and starts straight after school (not this time of course cause it's on the weekend) - but there is no grumpiness, those who want to hand out lollies have a sign or decorations...those that don't ...don't - simple

Personally it being the start of summer and not dark makes the whole thing a lot 'cuter' and with less 'dark' overtones

[Kanga]

I'm pretty sure it is gaining ground, unfortunately. Isn't it just another opportunity for targeted consumerism? Like Valentine's day, Mother's day etc. Halloween is pretty much the worst because it just seems to be about eating crap lollies, whereas at least the others are about being nice to someone. Bah humbug.

[Wooly_Cow]

I'm pretty sure it is gaining ground, unfortunately. Isn't it just another opportunity for targeted consumerism? Like Valentine's day, Mother's day etc. Halloween is pretty much the worst because it just seems to be about eating crap lollies, whereas at least the others are about being nice to someone. Bah humbug.

Sorry to disagree but I think it's great. A time for parents to spend time with their kids, dress up, and meet the neighbors!

[GrumpyGoat]

As a kid, I remember the holiday being fun because we got to wear a costume out of the house. I have the most fantastic memories of designing and making costumes--which I did all the way through until my 30s.

I didn't like candy as a kid so gave bag of treats to my mom each year. It was all about the costumes for me. The "trick or treat" was just an "event" to wear my costume.

I do think the "dark" aspects have become more prominent in the US in the last 10 years. I don't care for the gruesome horror type decorations. But I like the cute cartoon pumpkins and bats and witches.

That reminds me--anyone know where to get Candy Corn in NZ???

[GrumpyGoat]

Oh--and don't forget the party food for Halloween!!!

I LOVE making weird (and delicious) treats that look like eyeballs or fingers or brains. Or a dirt cake with gummy worms.

Here is a great website with recipes: http://www.britta.com/hw/hwr.html

I made the Eerie Eyeballs last year and they were AWESOME!!! They are requested for this year again!!

Oh, and one other thing that is fun about Halloween in the US is Haunted Houses. They are great fundraisers too. I have worked on building a few in the past and they are so much fun. I love to be scared (as long as I am really safe!)

[KelvinAng]

My colleagues at my previous workplace used to throw a costume party on Halloween, I thought that was fun!

[Kanga]

Sorry to disagree but I think it's great. A time for parents to spend time with their kids, dress up, and meet the neighbors!

Can't you just have a BBQ or a dinner party? Having said that we have on occasion dressed up with the kids on Halloween ... it's the commercialisation I object to really.