Halloween in Australia, too hot to handle

I don’t know exactly when or where I learned about the concept of Halloween, probably through American situation comedies such as Full House and The Cosby Show. I don’t think we even saw someone in costume begging for lollies until I was 10 years old. Yeah, that was a few years ago now.

When that first knock sounded and it looked like we were expected to give up our hard earned Cadbury chocolate, Mum and I just shook our heads, and claimed we didn’t have any. Afterwards we looked at each other and knew this was the beginning of the end. Australia now cared more about traditions based in other countries than our own.

Things petered off a fair bit for a long time after that first year, since nobody in my neighbourhood gave those kids more than a stern talking to about patriotism and the dangers of devil worship. ~It was a small country town~

So after I moved to Brisbane I was a little shocked to see the numbers of kids wandering the streets after dark begging for lollies, and even more agog once my daughter started school, at the numbers of Halloween parties that were happening behind closed doors.

Hubby talks tough every year and gets irritated that something that’s supposed to be, in effect, a day of respect for deceased loved ones, has been turned into a way for kids to get away with vandalism and black mail their neighbours into giving them lollies… ‘or else.’ We were left the lovely gift of a dozen broken eggs on the front of our house a few years ago and ever since, he’s dutifully picked up that extra bag of bounties (worst chocolate bar ever) so if we get the knock, we’re prepared.

Now this all makes me sound like a big ol’ scrooge when it comes to Halloween. But I’m really not much more than an over protective parent, who doesn’t share her lollies with ANYONE!

I do dress up every year in my own home, even though it’s usually hotter than hell by October 31st. I gorge on chocolate… (hey, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it) and I am impressed at the effort people go to when dressing up. However since I don’t share my chocolate EVER, I’d rather see the effort put into Supanova than have you on my front doorstep with threats of vandalism.

If you want to stick with the true traditions of Halloween, light a candle, place it in a carved out turnip and share happy memories of your loved ones who have passed. The Scotts have been doing as such since 1895.

So now that I’ve ousted myself as the biggest party pooper ever, stay tuned for some other points of view on Halloween, make up tips and costuming ideas.

Happy Halloween everyone!