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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit annoyed about all the fuss about halloween?

117 replies

Karlakitten1 · 12/10/2016 18:45

I've had childrn at school asking why they have to go to school on Halloween. I think this is ridiculous and although it's all a bit of fun on the day, I just don't see the need for a big fuss and think going trick or treating is like begging IMHO. Am I a miserable git?

OP posts:
Original poster
Karlakitten1 · 13/10/2016 04:03

And sorry to anyone who is moaning about the thread...I haven't been posting long and my main point was about the holiday day. Haven't looked for posts about this topic.

OP posts:
GlacindaTheTroll · 13/10/2016 07:49

"I still do not understand why Americans go all out for Hallowe'en."

Because they don't have Bonfire Night?

Crispsheets · 13/10/2016 07:56

I've never done it....my kids are now late teens. I never answer the door to truck or treaters either.
Not my sort of thing at all

RiverTam · 13/10/2016 07:57

You still don't understand why the kids think they should have a day off - because for the previous few years they will have had the day off, as it will have been in half term or at the weekend!

MrsTP that's interesting, have you experienced a US Halloween? I thought they went as a variety of things simply because looking on the A Mighty Girl website at their Halloween bit, they suggest a huge range of costumes. Personally, I really really dislike small children wearing blood and guts stuff.

BalthazarImpresario · 13/10/2016 08:02

The begging comment really grips my shit.
I don't know of anyone who knocks at houses that aren't decorated therefore expecting people to knock, they buy in sweets specifically to give to people who knock.
There's no law or rule that says you have to so give it a rest with 'begging'

londonrach · 13/10/2016 08:06

Yanbu. I dont get it either. However in the usa or germany its mixed up with autumn so less scary things. (I scare easy). I have autumn decorations i put up instead of hAlloween. Idll sells them in the uk but loads in germany.

Sparklingbrook · 13/10/2016 08:16

Oooh it's that time of year again.

TBF the day off thing is a new one though. Maybe a teacher training day on the Monday after half term? Grin

StrongTeaHotShower · 13/10/2016 08:20

Ooh, I love Halloween 🎃.
I'm using it as an excuse to make fun things with dd and dress her up as a dinosaur. If we get some free sweets in the process, all the better!

MilkandAssal · 13/10/2016 08:35

YANBU I fucking hate Halloween, it's another selling/buying ploy and it's just American trash that's come over to the UK.

Never in a million years would I allow my sons to go and knock on strangers' doors to ask for snacks, it's just such an odd thing to do.

I suppose something like a tea party with a few Halloween inspired snacks wouldn't be terrible, but it's nothing we'd partake in. I just can't understand the roaming of the streets, and because not everyone in the UK is "for" it like in the States, you get the trouble makers en masse.

This year it appears to be clowns that can kill you, when I was younger it was youths in tracksuits throwing eggs.

MilkandAssal · 13/10/2016 08:36

I'd like to add that ironically we have a fucking teacher training day on the Monday after half term.

Sweet Christ on a bike.

halcyondays · 13/10/2016 08:42

We are usually off school for half term at Halloween. Don't remember a time when I had to go to school on Halloween and my kids have been the same.

bloodymaria · 13/10/2016 08:53

Ooh, "American import" - that's one for the bingo card!

It's not you know, we gave it to them and they've sent it back bigger and better.

MilkandAssal · 13/10/2016 08:56

I said trash. Not import.

peppersaunt · 13/10/2016 08:57

Donald Trump and killer clowns excepted, American does not equal bad!

justgivemeamo · 13/10/2016 08:59

think going trick or treating is like begging IMHO

absolutely if you knock on random peoples doors who have not dressed the house to partake - yes it would be begging!

However if you only knock at people who clearly wish to partake then that usualy means they have gone to the trouble of providing sweets for people to knock so that is not begging

milkshakeandmonstermunch · 13/10/2016 08:59

Oh I love Halloween. We decorate the house and hand out goody bags. We're originally from Scotland so guising was a big deal growing up. We're in England now and kids - dressed as Elsa from Frozen mostly - just knock and stand there waiting for sweets Hmm Dance for me monkeys!

justgivemeamo · 13/10/2016 09:01

I just can't understand the roaming of the streets, and because not everyone in the UK is "for" it like in the States, you get the trouble makers en masse

Um not at all! Round where we are there are certain roads that make an effort and the only gangs are those of 2 - 10 year olds looking adorable in cute ghost and witch outfits....running round excitedly. I and thedc love looking at all the different decorations the houses have....and you bump into people you know its a lovely social thing to do as well.

MilkandAssal · 13/10/2016 09:04

and then you eat things from people you don't know.

You encourage children to take sweets from strangers after a lifetime of telling them to do the very opposite.

Can you not just buy additive loaded crap for them to eat at home? Why allow them to knock on peoples' doors and ask for snacks?

justgivemeamo · 13/10/2016 09:05

"I still do not understand why Americans go all out for Hallowe'en."

^^ because its great fun? you talk to people in the neighbourhood? It marks the autumn period and they have a fabulous shop called pottery barn which supplies mouth watering decs and costumes?

www.potterybarnkids.com/shop/halloween/?cm_type=gnav

justgivemeamo · 13/10/2016 09:07
Hmm
MilkandAssal · 13/10/2016 09:09

You don't need to knock on peoples' doors and ask for food in order to talk to them, especially when it's your 5 year old standing there awkwardly. I could probably think of other ways to meet your neighbours..

RiverTam · 13/10/2016 09:15

Milk you must think your DC are very dimwitted if you think they can't tell the difference between trick or treating and accepting sweat from a stranger in any other context. I bet they can tell the difference. Certainly all the kids I know who think or treat (at decorated houses only) don't have an issue with this. You must also live in a really crappy area if you get loads of trouble.

And why the snobbery because it's American?

RiverTam · 13/10/2016 09:16

Sweat? Yeuch! Sweets!!

Sparklingbrook · 13/10/2016 09:16

No asking required. Confused You choose a house decorated for Halloween with a lit pumpkin in the window. You ring the doorbell and the people answer and offer you sweets.

Then their children come to your house and you offer them sweets. It's really really simple.

Well that's how it works in these parts....

oklumberjack · 13/10/2016 09:17

Trick or treat was a thing for us in Wales in the 80's.

Now live in England - My dcs are a bit old now but the whole community dies trick or treat. There are pumpkin carving competitions (put entries in your windows or outside your house). Some houses the elder residents have baked cakes especially to give out. It's a great atmosphere.

Having a day off? No way.

I know you said you haven't been posting long but every year these comments happen like bingo.

AIBU to hate Halloween.
It's glorified begging.
It's intimidating.
It's a new American thing.