I have been told that in many parts of the world, the celebration of Halloween was either abolished or denied because of the holiday's initial origins. Beh, how stupid.
What will I do for Halloween? How about working? *Sad laugh.*
When I was little, I loved Halloween so much-it was my favourite holiday, even more so then Christmas. It sounds corny, but having been raised by folks who had next to no money, this really made me appreciate what I have always seen as the more honest and fun parts of many holidays.
Halloween had that whole atmosphere to it-I loved looking at the pumpkins and decorations in people's yards in the few days before, I loved all the school projects we had which were centered around Halloween, and I loved dressing up and playing around in my costume days before, and looking in stores for hours at all the Halloween costumes and accessories.
The very night of Halloween itself was like a night that could never come fast enough, and when it finally did, I was always so happy and it was always so much fun. Like, unreal, and magical.
I anticipated Halloween almost a month before it was even there, and had fun with this every single minute, especially seeing as ever since I can remember, I have always held an interest for ghosts, vampires, zombies and all those creepy things which walk among the living once a year.
On growing up, the joy left me, but the appreciation and slight anticipation has always been present.
Sorry-kind of got somewhat reminiscing too much.
We also have Gate Night here, where the night before Halloween, people would stalk the neighbourhood and raise hell, so to speak. Some of this included much vandalism and needless destruction. In my later years, this was always a good night to drink like a pirate.
Where I lived though, the township organized a program called ''Bump in the Night'', where youths were given a map of the neighbourhood, and following it led one to many stores to collect candy, and finally, the last place had a big supper for everyone, with some games and prizes to win afterwards.
Oh, and fun fact-Halloween is translated as All Hallow's Eve, which in many parts of Europe, especially amongst the Celts of Great Britain and Ireland, meant that offerings and the like were left outside the village outskirts for spirits and witches, in exchange for the safety of the village's children. It was believed that November first was the Day of the Dead, where spirits were allowed to come back to Earth for a day, and this privilege was given to them on ''All Hallow's Eve''. To appease their rage, such compromising practices were developed.
Halloween was also known as the Celtic festival ''Samhain'', where the Celtic gods of harvest were given offerings in exchange for prosperity and good crops and harvest for the coming year.
Well it was something as such...there are many variations, depending on the age period and culture, and whatever shenanigans changed the entire thing in order to make me look like an idiot, but the concept of ''trick or treating'' can easily be interpreted by the belief of exchanging goods as offerings in exchange for beneficial elements for the populace, or safety.
I do believe that this is why many places dislike Halloween, because many of its beliefs were frowned upon by the church, who did not like the idea that people could, usually, fear something other then God, hence why the Day of the Dead was changed and is now known as ''All Saints Day'', (November first.) this done by the Church to reroute the influence of the initial festival and its beliefs.
Sorry again-too passionate now...