For or against?

[JaneJ]

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Where do stand on this?

Now although my daughter is a christian and I am spiritually happy this isn't the main reason for being against trick or treating.

I never quite understand the celebrating of Halloween. As a child growing up in a Welsh village where everyone knew you (and your business!), my parents were quite happy for us go door to door. They were also fine with it when we lived in Scotland where it was taken more seriously as we would have to tell a joke or do some sort of turn for a treat.

In this day and age where not all of us know our neighbours  why would I let my girls wander door to door asking for sweets. It wouldn't be acceptable any other day of the year when I spend my time ramming home the stranger danger message!

So my girls (who bless them still ask every year in the vague hope I have changed my mind!) will be one of the few in their school who won't be out begging in the street come the 31st!

Terrible mother? Meanie?

What do you think about this day of the year?

hi0xxxx hi0

[wendy]

I can take it or leave it.  I usually get some sweets in for the night, but last year no one called.
I think it is because I am old.
Thinking about the celebration, I reckon it goes back to times we never knew about and some people make money out of us buying things to keep the tradition going.
I know there are members on Chill who feel strongly against Halloween, and I just hope they are strong enough to realize we dont mean any harm.
I shall go to bed as normal, and not be partying.  Although we always used to have a party in our chatroom, but I doubt they will do one for us.

[sandy4]

Not something I knew as a child so frown on it.  And as for kids going round these day?  No thank you.

[maureenho]

I don't like Halloween, but I often feel like a Zombie and I am quite bats  fl9999  and have been called a witch  hi0 in my time so it's Halloween most days for me  452

Halloween was different when I was a child in the 50's to what it is today, it's to Americanized these days.  halw2
We were brought up not to take sweets off strangers.

[Jeanne]

I am a Christian, so do not celebrate Halloween, but it is up to others what they feel like doing. I don't open the door to kids on Halloween, not to be mean, but because I don't like them coming around the doors in this day and age, the same as I don't like to see kids asking for "a penny for the guy." Being cynical, I think that too many events are becoming commercialised, e.g. Christmas, Mothers Day. I like to give presents, money, etc., at any time of the year, to surprise people. x Jeanne

[mumxtwo]

We don't celebrate Halloween, it is ridiculous how much stuff is available to buy in the shops for it these days. It's just a commercial rip-off. I wouldn't want my children knocking on doors. However I give Jess and her 6 yr old brother some sweets during the day of Halloween because I am fond of them. They know not to come knocking.

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[daisy]

We do not celebrate Halloween but if the children who live in the street come to the door I do give them money and sweets - I have noticed over the past few years this happens less and less so the trend seems to be dying out here.  I would think that is mainly due to being unsafe for the children to be out collecting money. 

However here in Scotland what used to happen was that children dressed up and sometimes made a "Guy" which they trundled around the neighbourhood.  People carried change so that when children said "Penny for the Guy?" they could pop some loose change in the tin.  eventually they would arrive at one of the bonfires which would be blazing cheerily in the cold evening.  The Guy would then be tossed on to the bonfire by one of the adults in charge of safety around the fire.  This of would happen on 5th November and of course the guy represented Guy Fawkes

[annie]

I don't celebrate Halloween and do not participate in trick or treat. I can't believe the displays in the supermarkets at present , it is a real  money spinner. I agree with Jeanne, all events are over-commercialised today

[Misspears]

I don't celebrate Halloween,we don't have children knocking on the door,I have seen the dressing up clothes in tesco

Ann x

[wendy]

Churches join Halloween hotdogs initiative
hurches and Christian youth organisations across South Norfolk are involved in a plan to hand out hotdogs and drinks to youngsters this Halloween in a bid to break down barriers and stop anti-social behaviour.


Teams of volunteers will be  setting up stands and handing out free hot dogs and hot chocolate to youngsters at churches, village halls and other locations in Long Stratton, Diss, Harleston, Thurton, Banham, Wymondham, Loddon and Poringland tonight (October 31).

The operation is being organized by freelance youth worker Sarah Woodger and funded by South Norfolk Council.

Sarah said: “I am working with local church youth groups such as Integrate YFC, Norwich YFC an Bramerton churches Byrus group, alongside other community groups, to make young people feel valued and accepted while also reassuring older residents. We hope it will also reduce anti-social behaviour.”

Anglican churches in Diss and Banham, alongside the Vibe Youth Bus which will be parked at the Market Cross in the centre of Wymondham, will be venues for the initiative.

“We want to engage young people in conversation,” said Sarah. “Barriers can be broken down. We want to encourage tolerance and mutual respect.”

If you would like to get involved you can contact Sarah on woodger4family@aol.com  or call 07891 265800.

You can read more of this story on EDP24

Pictured above is the Wymondham Vibe Youth Bus, one of the venues for free hotdogs this Halloween.
http://www.networknorwich.co.uk/Article ... ative.aspx

[maureenho]

Halloween History & Origin  halw2 halw2 halw2 halw2

Halloween is the one of the oldest holidays still celebrated today. It's one of the most popular holidays, second only to Christmas. While millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing its origins and myths, the history and facts of Halloween make the holiday more fascinating.

Some people view Halloween as a time for fun, putting on costumes, trick-or-treating, and having theme parties. Others view it as a time of superstitions, ghosts, goblins and evil spirits that should be avoided at all costs.

As the Christian debate goes on, celebrating Halloween is a preference that is not always viewed as participating in an evil holiday. Halloween is often celebrated with no reference to pagan rituals or the occult.

Halloween History

Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.

All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans, and is celebrated on November 1st. The Catholic church honored saints on this designated day.

Origin of Halloween

While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Halloween somewhat differently but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.

Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.

Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.

The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.

http://www.halloween-website.com/history.htm  fl9999 fl9999 fl9999

[irenee]

Thank you always wondered what it was all about,

my sister just phoned said after the third lot had come

to the door for treats she had stopped answering the door.

Ireneexx

[meg]

I was never allowed out dressed up at Halloween. 

Nobody comes to our door.

Purse happier for that!xx

[wendy]

I got the sweets ready, but no one came on our road.
My daughter got loads of callers where they live.