I love Halloween. It's the one day a year that you can come out of your shell and simply enjoy. You can be anything or anyone you want. The candy is always good too. 3 kids later we still very much enjoy the night and our children have a lot of fun too
Am I the only one who doesn't celebrate Halloween?
10/02/2011
Sometimes I celebrate it as Halloween, sometimes I don't. It depends on my mood that year.
10/02/2011
only for the fun of it. not as a holiday ,its about the kids and candy.
10/02/2011
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Wow, I had no idea! I really should have guessed, though. Most Jewish holidays are based on older religious festivals. I think it's wonderful that humans take in and keep old rituals. Why let all that magic go to waste?
Originally posted by
Ansley
It is thought to be the other way 'round. Christian holidays were adapted from pagan festivals as a way to increase conversion rates. Ostara, the pagan festival of fertility, became known as Easter. Some of the symbols remained and are still
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It is thought to be the other way 'round. Christian holidays were adapted from pagan festivals as a way to increase conversion rates. Ostara, the pagan festival of fertility, became known as Easter. Some of the symbols remained and are still used by marketing teams everywhere---the bunny and the egg being the most notable. (You don't see anyone eating a chocolate Jesus, now do you? lol)
Samhain is a festival noting the end of the harvest and wars in past Celtic civilizations, first noted by anglican cultures in the 10th century. The celebration includes feasting and drinking, however there are no real accounts of what took place on those days and what most believe to be true is mostly specualtion based upon observances of Beltane, another important sabbat for pagans. It is said that during this period, clansmen and tribes would assemble to decide how to best use the bounty of the harvest and decide which animals were to be slaughtered for the winter.
Day of the Day is an ancient Mexican custom of remembering the dead. Candy, cakes and ornaments are left on the graves of loved ones lost and a feast takes place within the community. It dates back 2 to 3,000 years and has gained popularity in other Latin/Hispanic cultures across the world. The best example on film of this festival is in The Crow.
All Saints Day is a Catholic tradition recognizing all of the known and unknown Saints. This is also celebrated by a feast of great proportions.
Halloween is kind of like the bastard child of All Saints, Day of the Dead and Samhain. It encompasses many aspects of all of these festivals and has gleaned a lot of its meaning and activities from popular media at any given time. In true American custom, we have turned it into a night to get free things, play mean jokes on our friends and embarrass ourselves. And to that I say: bring it on! It's my favorite day of the year. less
Samhain is a festival noting the end of the harvest and wars in past Celtic civilizations, first noted by anglican cultures in the 10th century. The celebration includes feasting and drinking, however there are no real accounts of what took place on those days and what most believe to be true is mostly specualtion based upon observances of Beltane, another important sabbat for pagans. It is said that during this period, clansmen and tribes would assemble to decide how to best use the bounty of the harvest and decide which animals were to be slaughtered for the winter.
Day of the Day is an ancient Mexican custom of remembering the dead. Candy, cakes and ornaments are left on the graves of loved ones lost and a feast takes place within the community. It dates back 2 to 3,000 years and has gained popularity in other Latin/Hispanic cultures across the world. The best example on film of this festival is in The Crow.
All Saints Day is a Catholic tradition recognizing all of the known and unknown Saints. This is also celebrated by a feast of great proportions.
Halloween is kind of like the bastard child of All Saints, Day of the Dead and Samhain. It encompasses many aspects of all of these festivals and has gleaned a lot of its meaning and activities from popular media at any given time. In true American custom, we have turned it into a night to get free things, play mean jokes on our friends and embarrass ourselves. And to that I say: bring it on! It's my favorite day of the year. less
10/02/2011
I used to dress up and hand out candy, go to parties and such but stopped a few years ago when the kids got grown. I live in a dangerous area of a dangerous town now, and only thugs ring the bell, I unfortunately found out. Now I turn out the lights and stay in the back of the house.
10/03/2011
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Exactly. I've always held the belief that most religions and their celebrations are founded upon very similar, if not almost exactly the same, ideals and observations about the world around us. Religion was first used as a means to explain the world the earliest humans experienced---why does it rain, why do plants grow, bear fruit then die...all of those things needed an explanation. It's no surprise that man looked to the heavens and unseen forces to explain away the things that science would later dissect. It's all quite fascinating, to me anyway.
Originally posted by
carenautilus
Wow, I had no idea! I really should have guessed, though. Most Jewish holidays are based on older religious festivals. I think it's wonderful that humans take in and keep old rituals. Why let all that magic go to waste?
10/03/2011
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That breaks my heart, truly. Such a sad world that we live in where we can't even be free to go out and socialize within our own communities and enjoy the celebrations we once did.
Originally posted by
wetone123
I used to dress up and hand out candy, go to parties and such but stopped a few years ago when the kids got grown. I live in a dangerous area of a dangerous town now, and only thugs ring the bell, I unfortunately found out. Now I turn out the lights
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I used to dress up and hand out candy, go to parties and such but stopped a few years ago when the kids got grown. I live in a dangerous area of a dangerous town now, and only thugs ring the bell, I unfortunately found out. Now I turn out the lights and stay in the back of the house.
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10/03/2011
I don't really celebrate it, but I think it can be a fun holiday. I voted other because while I don't celebrate myself really, the kids like to trick or treat or have small halloween parties. We've taken them trick or treating and had a blast each year, but this year they're a little too old except the 11, 1 and 6 year old which I'm hoping will want to dress up and go!
10/03/2011
We celebrate Halloween as Samhain, so the day is the same but some of the traditions are different.
~M
~M
10/03/2011
My husband used to take my son trick or treating when he was younger, now we stay home and hand out candy only.
10/03/2011
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Well I always work you can dress up if you want,I did one year I would do it again I just dont care to spend the money and honestly I really don't care about it anymore so this year I think I will be starting on the I dont celebrate anymore
Originally posted by
domsub1993
We have never celebrated Halloween with our children. Even in the Christian community we often find ourselves alone in taking this approach. Am I still alone or do you also not celebrate Halloween?
10/03/2011
I dress up and go to parties, but don't do much on actual Halloween unless it's a day I'm magically not working. Last year I worked the day before, went to a party for a while that night, then worked on Halloween and I can't remember what we did that night, but I don't think I was around to give out candy. This year I'm hoping that trick or treating is Sunday so that I can dress up to give out candy because surprise surprise, I'm working the night of Halloween lol.
10/03/2011
It's my wedding anniversary. 4 years at the end of this month! And we just crossed our mark of being married longer than dating a few months ago.
10/03/2011
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Happy *early* Anniversary!!! I'm so curious if you had a themed wedding or not.
Originally posted by
Jaimes
It's my wedding anniversary. 4 years at the end of this month! And we just crossed our mark of being married longer than dating a few months ago.
10/03/2011
It depends on what you mean by celebrating it. For me, it's just a time when there's something Other in the air, and we don't generally do fancy dress anyway.
Beyond that, the police had a bit of a crackdown on trick or treating back when I was in junior school. The number of trick or treaters has dwindled in our neighbourhood since then, until these last few years there's been no one.
Beyond that, the police had a bit of a crackdown on trick or treating back when I was in junior school. The number of trick or treaters has dwindled in our neighbourhood since then, until these last few years there's been no one.
10/04/2011
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Oh yes, it was themed. Costumes galore. My bridesmaids were elements, and we had Robin Hood, Cyclops, King Arthur and the Riddler on the groom's side. A 'sheriff' married us, pirates read an Adam Sandler piece, and I had candy girls instead of flower girls. We even had a costume contest! It was so much fun. We were in Savannah, Ga on the river boat we used to act on for a murder mystery tour, and that we got engaged on, then everyone walked together to the reception at the Hilton, stopping of course for a few tourist photos on the way!
Originally posted by
Ansley
Happy *early* Anniversary!!! I'm so curious if you had a themed wedding or not.
10/04/2011
I love Halloween! I'll still celebrate it when the kids are grown.
10/04/2011
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Oh that sounds like so much fun!!! I bet the photos are amazing and there's absolutely nothing not to love about Savannah.
Originally posted by
Jaimes
Oh yes, it was themed. Costumes galore. My bridesmaids were elements, and we had Robin Hood, Cyclops, King Arthur and the Riddler on the groom's side. A 'sheriff' married us, pirates read an Adam Sandler piece, and I had candy girls
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Oh yes, it was themed. Costumes galore. My bridesmaids were elements, and we had Robin Hood, Cyclops, King Arthur and the Riddler on the groom's side. A 'sheriff' married us, pirates read an Adam Sandler piece, and I had candy girls instead of flower girls. We even had a costume contest! It was so much fun. We were in Savannah, Ga on the river boat we used to act on for a murder mystery tour, and that we got engaged on, then everyone walked together to the reception at the Hilton, stopping of course for a few tourist photos on the way!
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10/04/2011
When we first moved here, we did the candy at the door for the kids thing. However, after a couple of years of that and seeing more than a few groups of kids wait for us to shut the door, go sit back down, and then ring the bell again...I spent last year hiding in the dark! I plan on doing the same thing again this year as well.
My plan, which I guess could be considered "celebrating" is to get comfy in bed and watch movies and TV until long after the brats stop ringing our doorbell. I will also not be reprimanding our dog for barking viciously at the door (really she's super sweet, but people outside her house bug her). I'm just going to pretend to not be here, even with both cars in the driveway. Besides, I have surgery a week or so before that, I won't be getting up for nothing!
My plan, which I guess could be considered "celebrating" is to get comfy in bed and watch movies and TV until long after the brats stop ringing our doorbell. I will also not be reprimanding our dog for barking viciously at the door (really she's super sweet, but people outside her house bug her). I'm just going to pretend to not be here, even with both cars in the driveway. Besides, I have surgery a week or so before that, I won't be getting up for nothing!
10/04/2011
No, We don't do anything other than hand out candy. We only do that because we are afraid that if we don't we will get vandalized, lol.
10/04/2011
I love Halloween! It's always been my favorite holiday. Not really one for trick or treating, and I've never lived in a neighborhood where kids come by, but I pretty much hit up Halloween parties for the entire month of October. I have an entire dresser dedicated to costumes, and it's overflowing.
10/04/2011
I think as I get older I dont get excited as much. I believe its because I have gained weight and no longer feel like having men stare at my fat ass.
10/04/2011
The wife will take the kids out, but I stay home and do whatever. With the lights out. Dont care for the holiday.
10/05/2011
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Part of the issue is that you use the word Celebrate. We CELEBRATE religious holidays. We CELEBRATE life events (birthdays, weddings). IN fact, we PLAY on Halloween, we sure do not CELEBRATE anything about it.
Originally posted by
domsub1993
We have never celebrated Halloween with our children. Even in the Christian community we often find ourselves alone in taking this approach. Am I still alone or do you also not celebrate Halloween?
That is NOT just a semantic difference either. To CELEBRATE is to recognize an underlying and deeper meaning.....however to just PLAY on that date implies nothing more then dressing up and PLAYING. We ascribe NO deep meaning or following to Halloween beyond dressing up and having fun, and I bet 99.999% of the public feels the same way. There is nothing even remotely "satanic" or "witch-like" about Halloween in 2011. It is all about CANDY and COSTUMES. When THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA greatly outnumbers witches, ghouls and goblins, that should tell you something, eh?
If some major religious holiday were to be banned, I would feel a certain emptiness and a willingness to fight for it. If Halloween were banned...I think only the dentists and candy makes would rebel!!!
10/31/2011
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November 1st is "All Saints Day" on the Catholic Calendar. A day to pray for the dead.
Originally posted by
carenautilus
Well, I'm Jewish, so I may be wrong, but isn't Halloween a Christian holiday? Or at least derived from a Christian holiday? It's all Hallow's Eve. Or All Saint's eve. It's a Catholic holiday that is celebrated with much piety
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Well, I'm Jewish, so I may be wrong, but isn't Halloween a Christian holiday? Or at least derived from a Christian holiday? It's all Hallow's Eve. Or All Saint's eve. It's a Catholic holiday that is celebrated with much piety and devotion in many parts of the world, particularly South America.
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However, as Halloween is celebrated in the USA, it's a completely secular holiday.
10/31/2011
Quote:
Thank you!
Originally posted by
Bignuf
Part of the issue is that you use the word Celebrate. We CELEBRATE religious holidays. We CELEBRATE life events (birthdays, weddings). IN fact, we PLAY on Halloween, we sure do not CELEBRATE anything about it.
That is NOT just a semantic ... more
That is NOT just a semantic ... more
Part of the issue is that you use the word Celebrate. We CELEBRATE religious holidays. We CELEBRATE life events (birthdays, weddings). IN fact, we PLAY on Halloween, we sure do not CELEBRATE anything about it.
That is NOT just a semantic difference either. To CELEBRATE is to recognize an underlying and deeper meaning.....however to just PLAY on that date implies nothing more then dressing up and PLAYING. We ascribe NO deep meaning or following to Halloween beyond dressing up and having fun, and I bet 99.999% of the public feels the same way. There is nothing even remotely "satanic" or "witch-like" about Halloween in 2011. It is all about CANDY and COSTUMES. When THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA greatly outnumbers witches, ghouls and goblins, that should tell you something, eh?
If some major religious holiday were to be banned, I would feel a certain emptiness and a willingness to fight for it. If Halloween were banned...I think only the dentists and candy makes would rebel!!! less
That is NOT just a semantic difference either. To CELEBRATE is to recognize an underlying and deeper meaning.....however to just PLAY on that date implies nothing more then dressing up and PLAYING. We ascribe NO deep meaning or following to Halloween beyond dressing up and having fun, and I bet 99.999% of the public feels the same way. There is nothing even remotely "satanic" or "witch-like" about Halloween in 2011. It is all about CANDY and COSTUMES. When THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA greatly outnumbers witches, ghouls and goblins, that should tell you something, eh?
If some major religious holiday were to be banned, I would feel a certain emptiness and a willingness to fight for it. If Halloween were banned...I think only the dentists and candy makes would rebel!!! less
We have a family on our block who didn't "believe" in Halloween. (That was their option.) But, when my kids came home crying saying that one of the kids in this holier than thou family told MY kids "Halloween is the Devil's birthday. If you dress up and go Trick or Treating, you will go to Hell." I was NOT happy and didn't consider it a Christian thing for these children to be allowed to do.
Of course, both their daughters had babies in High School and one of them turned into a complete Goth. I saw her walking once down the street in an outfit that would be considered scanty by Eden Lingerie standards, with a coffin shaped purse and upside down crosses around her neck and telling my kids then she was a "vampyre." My Man and I agreed that never allowing them to PLAY on Halloween probably helped this child to want every day to be Halloween.
After raising three kids, I know that when something is "forbidden" you only make it VERY attractive to some children. The more "forbidden" the thing is, the more some kids tend to be attracted to the thing forbidden.
Restricting normal, socially acceptable behaviors rarely results in what parents think it will. Restricting birth control information results in unwanted babies, restricting playing on HAPPY holidays may result in that child spending the rest of her life catching up.
This is MY opinion alone. Mileage may vary.
As Bignuf says, it's secular holiday and it's PLAY. Halloween has no religious significance the way most Americans celebrate it the way it is. For those who DO celebrate Samahain, these people are pagans and have nothing to do with the Devil or Satan in any way. For them, it's an ancient holiday meant to love those who have died, and has no evil meaning whatsoever.
10/31/2011
Our city, to make it more about fun and to cut down on vandalism, turned it into Beggar's Night (which I think is lame)
They set aside two hours, usually on the day before Halloween, for kids to go out. That is the only time that trick-or-treaters are allowed. And if you're taking the kids out, there are fewer houses who are giving candy out. Kids are also required to tell jokes. Ours was: What do vegetarian zombies eat? Grrraaaaaaiiiinnnsss
Overall, I think Halloween is fun. I don't get why people read too much into it in today's society. It's truly all about having your kids dress up as something fun and going and getting candy. I don't see it as something to celebrate, I think it's just a time to have fun!
I even got to go to a Halloween-themed wedding. So much fun!
I understand that some people do celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Samhain or All Saints Day, or any number of holidays that are affiliated with October 31, but for US, it's just a time to dress up and have fun.
They set aside two hours, usually on the day before Halloween, for kids to go out. That is the only time that trick-or-treaters are allowed. And if you're taking the kids out, there are fewer houses who are giving candy out. Kids are also required to tell jokes. Ours was: What do vegetarian zombies eat? Grrraaaaaaiiiinnnsss
Overall, I think Halloween is fun. I don't get why people read too much into it in today's society. It's truly all about having your kids dress up as something fun and going and getting candy. I don't see it as something to celebrate, I think it's just a time to have fun!
I even got to go to a Halloween-themed wedding. So much fun!
I understand that some people do celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Samhain or All Saints Day, or any number of holidays that are affiliated with October 31, but for US, it's just a time to dress up and have fun.
10/31/2011
Quote:
The "Beggars' Night" sound pretty pathetic. I'm sorry your community gave in to a vocal minority.
Originally posted by
BBW Talks Toys
Our city, to make it more about fun and to cut down on vandalism, turned it into Beggar's Night (which I think is lame)
They set aside two hours, usually on the day before Halloween, for kids to go out. That is the only time that ... more
They set aside two hours, usually on the day before Halloween, for kids to go out. That is the only time that ... more
Our city, to make it more about fun and to cut down on vandalism, turned it into Beggar's Night (which I think is lame)
They set aside two hours, usually on the day before Halloween, for kids to go out. That is the only time that trick-or-treaters are allowed. And if you're taking the kids out, there are fewer houses who are giving candy out. Kids are also required to tell jokes. Ours was: What do vegetarian zombies eat? Grrraaaaaaiiiinnnsss
Overall, I think Halloween is fun. I don't get why people read too much into it in today's society. It's truly all about having your kids dress up as something fun and going and getting candy. I don't see it as something to celebrate, I think it's just a time to have fun!
I even got to go to a Halloween-themed wedding. So much fun!
I understand that some people do celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Samhain or All Saints Day, or any number of holidays that are affiliated with October 31, but for US, it's just a time to dress up and have fun. less
They set aside two hours, usually on the day before Halloween, for kids to go out. That is the only time that trick-or-treaters are allowed. And if you're taking the kids out, there are fewer houses who are giving candy out. Kids are also required to tell jokes. Ours was: What do vegetarian zombies eat? Grrraaaaaaiiiinnnsss
Overall, I think Halloween is fun. I don't get why people read too much into it in today's society. It's truly all about having your kids dress up as something fun and going and getting candy. I don't see it as something to celebrate, I think it's just a time to have fun!
I even got to go to a Halloween-themed wedding. So much fun!
I understand that some people do celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Samhain or All Saints Day, or any number of holidays that are affiliated with October 31, but for US, it's just a time to dress up and have fun. less
What about really shy kids? I know my youngest daughter (who has Asperger's Syndrome) would never be able to "tell a joke" to a stranger or even a neighbor or friend. She would have chosen to stay home. Sad.
I don't see what is wrong with having an old fashioned holiday the way it always was? If people don't want to participate, they don't have to. I grew up in a 99.9% "Christian" community and NO ONE ever mentioned "not believing" in Halloween. Everybody went Trick or Treating and decorated their houses. People knew it was for fun, and they knew the kids had fun playing that day. I think there are just so many more people who get offended by every little thing of late, and they want the entire country to change to suit their personal choices. (Many of which are sometimes based on misunderstanding and misinformation. Much of that misinformation intentionally misleading by certain leaders of certain sects.)
What ever happened to people having a sense of humor? Or simply saying "Live and Let Live?"
10/31/2011
Quote:
There are finally enough transplants here that don't force the joke. I think I only had one or two elderly folks (who were young when the tradition started) that forced the kids to tell jokes.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
The "Beggars' Night" sound pretty pathetic. I'm sorry your community gave in to a vocal minority.
What about really shy kids? I know my youngest daughter (who has Asperger's Syndrome) would never be able to "tell a ... more
What about really shy kids? I know my youngest daughter (who has Asperger's Syndrome) would never be able to "tell a ... more
The "Beggars' Night" sound pretty pathetic. I'm sorry your community gave in to a vocal minority.
What about really shy kids? I know my youngest daughter (who has Asperger's Syndrome) would never be able to "tell a joke" to a stranger or even a neighbor or friend. She would have chosen to stay home. Sad.
I don't see what is wrong with having an old fashioned holiday the way it always was? If people don't want to participate, they don't have to. I grew up in a 99.9% "Christian" community and NO ONE ever mentioned "not believing" in Halloween. Everybody went Trick or Treating and decorated their houses. People knew it was for fun, and they knew the kids had fun playing that day. I think there are just so many more people who get offended by every little thing of late, and they want the entire country to change to suit their personal choices. (Many of which are sometimes based on misunderstanding and misinformation. Much of that misinformation intentionally misleading by certain leaders of certain sects.)
What ever happened to people having a sense of humor? Or simply saying "Live and Let Live?" less
What about really shy kids? I know my youngest daughter (who has Asperger's Syndrome) would never be able to "tell a joke" to a stranger or even a neighbor or friend. She would have chosen to stay home. Sad.
I don't see what is wrong with having an old fashioned holiday the way it always was? If people don't want to participate, they don't have to. I grew up in a 99.9% "Christian" community and NO ONE ever mentioned "not believing" in Halloween. Everybody went Trick or Treating and decorated their houses. People knew it was for fun, and they knew the kids had fun playing that day. I think there are just so many more people who get offended by every little thing of late, and they want the entire country to change to suit their personal choices. (Many of which are sometimes based on misunderstanding and misinformation. Much of that misinformation intentionally misleading by certain leaders of certain sects.)
What ever happened to people having a sense of humor? Or simply saying "Live and Let Live?" less
But that's DSM for you. They change towards the conservative as soon as something bad happens (which I think is funny because we're one of 6 states that marriage between same-sex couples is legal). Case in point (off topic, I apologize):
No ice cream trucks One little girl was hit in 1967 so they banned them.
liquor Okay, we're not dry (by ANY means) but a kid almost died at a frat party for drinking too much, and they were going to ban Everclear because of it. Because the liquor is what did it. He was being hazed. The appropriate action is to press charges against the kids who were hazing him. Or for the kid to accept responsibility for choosing to go to a frat party and participate in underaged drinking.
Sometimes I really hate this city.
10/31/2011
I celebrate Halloween!
11/01/2011