not buying-in to plastic Halloween

[mrsscoob]

At a time when we are all being reminded to recycle and take more care of our planet, reduce our carbon footprint etc why are people buying tons and tons of plastic crap at Halloween?

Halloween used to be a few kids trick or treating on the actual night, now it goes on for days, with parties, offices and shops being decorated, adults dressing up and shops pushing their Halloween junk for over a month before.

We hear all the time about people finding it hard financially at the moment and concerned about fuel prices and the cost of food, yet they can find the money for a flashing plastic skull.

It's all such a waste of money and so very bad for the environment. The stuff is shipped over here from all across the world, used for a day and then chucked in the bin.

Am I being unreasonable to feel that the only purpose of Halloween nowadays is to make people spend money? It sickens me how much rubbish there is in the shops, knowing that on the 1st November it will all be heading for landfill or the sea. Why can't we settle for carving a pumpkin? Why do we need all this plastic crap?

[mrsscoob]

I never said I was being forced, I don't buy it! I am just asking the question as to why other people do. I am not saying people shouldn't have fun at Halloween, like Fidgetysheep people could make things or reuse things. I just don't get the need to buy all the plastic shite!

[KittyFane]

Well, our plastic crap is coming out of it's box for the 8th year.
Well used I'd say.

[grumplestilskin]

YABU my flashy skull has been going for YEARS!
you may think it's all to buy for single use and dump on nov1, but most of us filthy hoarders just add to our stash for next year

[WorzselMummage]

You dont have to buy it.

[Fixture]

YANBU. No need for all the plastic tat - what's wrong with a cardboard hat and apple-bobbing?

[ChaoticAngelofSamhain]

I have a box of plastic crap in the attic that I admit we no longer use, since the DC have got older. We did use it for a number of years though.

[HeidiKat]

YANBU, some of the shops near me are selling dress up costumes for babies, why would you waste money dressing up a child that will have no idea what is going on? Halloween has become massively commercialised, but then again maybe something that encourages spending in this recession can't be all bad, our high street stores need the boost.

[chandellina]

I don't think you can really single out Halloween. There is loads of plastic crap for all holidays. And lots more is used by supermarkets and the like so that would be a better worry IMO.

[exoticfruits]

YANBU. If people didn't buy it then the shops wouldn't stock it. I hate Halloween and it was never big here until a few years ago. A horrible American import.

[grumplestilskin]

exotic fruits, america just borrowed our old wren boys tradition that's all! they're just better at keeping traditions alive and ENJOYING them!

[PeelThemWithTheirMetalKnives]

I tried to be all traditional and insisted DCs had a turnip lantern instead of a pumpkin. I regretted it when it turned out to be rock hard to carve. Still persisted with my bent spoon though

Also insisted on them helping me collect ivy and other nice foliage to decorate the living room. I thought it was lovely but nobody else cared

[exoticfruits]

I was talking about England. We never had 'old wren'-I have never heard of it. Nov 5th was the big date.

[southeastastra]

the plastic tat we buy is cheap plastic tat!

do you also complain to mcdonalds about their crappy happy meal toys, cause they're available all year round

[LadyEvilEyes]

It's not American at all, and it mildly irratates me when I hear this.
When I was a child (Scotland) it was called guising. We used to go round doors all dressed up and then had to do a turn, like telling a daft joke or singing a song.
Then we got sweeties or coins.
Most children still call it guising here, but, yes, it is gradually being commercialised.
Hope there are some Scots that agree with me here.

[onequestion]

I totally agree OP.
It is so bad for the environment. I'm trying to hand make things from now on for decorations. I have bought a plastic pumpkin carving kit but plan on having that in my house for 30 plus years and then pass it on to someone else (if it lasts!!)

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Yy LadyEvilEyes. (Also Scottish)

[PeelThemWithTheirMetalKnives]

I am Scottish too, and agree our version is not American but possibly the plastic-y version is!

[orienteerer]

yanbu

[grumplestilskin]

"wren boys" not "old wren"

[havinhoops1974]

When i was a kid (90's) Halloween was maybe a bought pumpkin, witches hat, carrier bag and the costume was a bin liner used a a cape.

shops seem to be exploding Halloween & Christmas at the seams as soon as September comes I saw an animated, toy pumpkin for £8 the other day things have changed indeed.

[havinhoops1974]

When i was a kid (90's) Halloween was maybe a bought pumpkin, witches hat, carrier bag and the costume was a bin liner used a a cape.

shops seem to be exploding Halloween & Christmas at the seams as soon as September comes I saw an animated, toy pumpkin for £8 the other day things have changed indeed.

[KittyFane]

Havin - we just had the bin bag and hat :( too.
We didn't look good.