Happy Halloween

[Gerard]

In case you have not seen it, check out this clever video

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2012/10/v ... encounter/

[ajp]

That's pretty good, I enjoyed that.

Lisa, don't watch!

[churros]

[mushu mama]

Lisa, don't watch!

Ohhhh... now I want to see what I shouldn't watch

[KeithS]

While I like Halloween when I'm in the US, I find it awkward here at home. We only had one knock on the door last night and we didn't bother opening!

There just isn't that whole of community feel in this country towards Halloween - it sort of feels poorly shoe-horned into our society. Maybe in twenty years time it'll be all the rage, but its take up has been slow.

[ajp]

I agree Keith, and I'll go one step further and say that I don't believe that it should be integrated into Australian culture at all. It's only being thrust upon us by the retailers with no understanding or appreciation of what or why it is. We have been watching American TV for decades and been exposed to Halloween, but until the shops started selling the stuff, it never started to infuse into the our minds as something we had to do. I wonder how many know it is an Irish festival anyway?

Thankfully for the kids, we had no knocks on our door last night, they were going to get a cold reception. And it's not bah humbug, I just don't see the relevance in Australian culture.

However I would love to see it celebrated in America and witness how they go all out with their decorating and costuming. But I'm happy to lave it there.

[Mel]

Love the video! Inside the Magic is my favourite podcast - I've been listening to it since it's first couple of episodes and think it's one of the best produced podcasts of any genre.

As for Halloween - we love it! What's not to love about getting to watch the kids get dressed up (and I got dressed up last night too) and having a great time? Not to mention chocolate. How can any celebration be bad when it involves chocolate?!?!?
-/ -/ -/

[churros]

Another video for HM fans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq2Bi45ssWk&sns=em

[mushu mama]

I think I am going to agree with both sides here.

I LOVE Halloween... we have dressed up and celebrated for as long as I can remember - particularly since my kids were little, and we still get together to do the same. Candy corn, decorations and costumes are always part of the mix. but then I would celebrate the opening of an envelope

Now, here is where Halloween in Australia annoys me. The retailers have ZERO idea what its about and how its meant to be done. They put out 12 packs of lollies when they should be doing 50 packs... for a reasonable price. The put unwrapped lollies on special when you can't give them out. I also noticed that the 'halloween' pumpkins were double the KG price this year too, even when they were locally grown so I refused to buy one for the first time in years.
Honestly, if its going to be adopted here, then something akin to a 'rules of engagement' needs to be made more commonly aware.
No costume - no lollies. No knocking on doors that clearly aren't decorated... that sort of thing.

Its a tough one, cos a lot of people have no idea why they're doing it either. Like it or not, I think its here to stay though, cos once the big retailers get a whiff of some easy money, its all over.

The upside this year though is I want to buy buzz/woody costumes for my nephews for Christmas and the Disney store has them cheaper now -/ -/