Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween...looking back

Halloween is my least favorite holiday of the year. I don't like the greediness and sugar consumption of it. Although it was fun to help my young sons be creative in making their own costumes years ago, I never could stand the sugar high that they and my elementary students were on for days. I always tried to give out nutritious treats like apples or popcorn but the kids would rather have wrapped candy. Of course as a kid, I loved to trick or treat!

In the last few years, I've made it a habit to hide out on Halloween night and not be at home to avoid giving out treats. Sometimes we've gone out to eat or to a movie or to visit the grandkids and share in their excitement. So what are your feelings about Halloween?

I also think it's a great opportunity for people to do mischief like bullying little ones or damaging property etc. I just don't like it or see much benefit in it except for creative expression. I admire those mothers who try to make a family halloween party for their kids at home or do some service that is needed. We tend to spend too much money and forget what the holiday was originally all about All Saints Day on Nov 1st to honor our departed ancestor spirits-now that I could really celebrate. Check out Sandys post on All Soul's Day as celebrated by the Episcopalians.