Forum Topic

Halloween callers - what to give them?

Each year we have callers ringing our doorbell - usually local children whom we recognise(their parents hovering in the distance overseeing their youngsters).  We're usually unprepared and haven't anything apart from money. The question is: what should were have to offer the children?  Any suggestions?

Gerry Tan ● 4180d31 Comments

Gerry,Halloween is essentially a (sort-of) Christianised version of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (as it is called in Irish), and can be likened to the Celtic new year's eve. This was Christianised as All Souls' (or All Hallows) Day - and the evening before became All Hallows' Eve (Hallow'een).The giving small gifts of food, dressing up, carving scary faces out of turnips and even the ducking for apples are traditional, and these traditions were carried to America by Irish and Scottish (and even Welsh) settlers, and adapted a little (so turnips were replaced by the much easier to carve pumpkins). The popularity of of Halloween in America, and its pervasiveness in movies, helped revive it in Britain (it had always remained popular in Ireland and, to a lesser extent, the other Celtic fringes).Have a look at http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/origin-of-Halloween.html for more...David

D Fox ● 4177d

Old Celtic festival according to google history of Halloween

Charles Campbell ● 4177d

Some people claim that Halloween is an American belief and tradition. I feel its a very ancient European festival and celebration.  Which is it please?  The ancient Chinese belief and practice of celebrating their dead and the ancestral spirits is still carried out today and revered. I don't know - someone enlighten me please - I'd love to know.

Gerry Tan ● 4177d

What are you two(Keith and Tony) talking about?  Horse apples????

Gerry Tan ● 4177d

I'd never heard of horse apples so I Googled it,unfortunately I had a mouthful of nice red wine...I don't now.

Tony Wood ● 4177d

Horse.

Keith Iddon ● 4177d

Poisonous ones.

Tony Wood ● 4177d

"It is much more fun having a Halloween party and ducking for apples."Which variety of apples are best for "ducking" please?

Gerry Tan ● 4177d

It is much more fun having a Halloween party and ducking for apples.Calling at the door like this can be intimidating as money is often demanded.  The collection of sweets can become just a competition to grab as much as possible.  It is better when it is arranged between neighbours and friends beforehand.

Philippa Bond ● 4177d

Love that, Brussels sprouts dipped in chocolate! Personally I think Hallowe'en has got out of hand and has turned into a commercial racket. Door locked and no treats.

Elizabeth Price ● 4177d

It's all very well saying don't answer the door. One year I didn't even hear a doorbell all evening but found an egg smashed through my letter box the next morning.

Susan Kelly ● 4178d

I was in jest, but thanks for the clarification all the same.

Tony Colliver ● 4179d

We keep lights to a minimum and do not answer the door. But the best treat I have come across is raw brussels sprouts dipped in chocolate.

Graham Weeks ● 4179d

Thanks for the explanations Andy and Nigel. We've been to good old Tescos today and we've bought two tins of Roses sweets for the Halloween children(and a few adult neighbours) - should be a fun evening on the 31st! Hope the weather stays dry.

Gerry Tan ● 4179d

Nigel wrote: "It's a hideous commercialised annual 'event' which we have imported from those arbiters of good taste', the United States."It's an ancient Celtic festival that was probably celebrated in these islands millennia ago.... It was imported INTO the US by the Irish, and has only changed a little since (today's carved pumpkins were previously turnips...).We always buy a bag or two of 'fun'-size chocolates to give to any kids who come to the door - some years only a few do, but we usually get several groups.David

D Fox ● 4180d

If you want individual membership of a Costco it will cost you £30 per annum or, for some 'non member items' there is a 5% surcharge.You do however need to be Current or Retired Employee of:•Banking / Finance •Local Government •Fire / Rescue Service •Post Office •Airlines •Education •Police Force •Civil Service / Armed Forces •Medical / Health Service •Insurance ORQualified as:•Qualified / Certified / Chartered Accountant •Chartered Architect  •Doctors (MD) / Dentist / Optician / Pharmacist •Chartered Surveyor  •Solicitor / Barrister / Magistrate / Advocate •Chartered Engineer / Civil EngineerTo even get individual membership

Nigel Brooks ● 4180d

Gerry, Costco is a wholesale retail warehouse. You can qualify for membership in a number of ways.  Mine is via my fiancee who works for a neighbouring local authority.  Nearest warehouses are in Hayes, Watford and Reading.

Andy Vaughan ● 4180d

Oops ok sorry - i was exaggeratting a bit there :O)

Tom Clifford ● 4180d

The bracket is the throat at the point where it meets the jaw. It was used in the 50s esp. on Hancocks Half Hour by Sid James, but was common parlance at the time.

Tony Wood ● 4180d

Lighten up Tom why don't you...no-one has suggested 'insulting' anyone. If you are referring to me in your post, you should definitely lighten up as I replied in jest. We used to have our own perfectly good tradition called 'mischief night' if I remember and that tradition was probably older than the USA.

Keith Iddon ● 4180d

One's bracket are the nether-regions of a person's body surely - or is it?  I dunno.

Gerry Tan ● 4180d

Do you ever choose 'trick'?

Tony Colliver ● 4180d

Where would one find one's 'bracket' if I might be so bold as to enquire please?

Tony Colliver ● 4180d

I think thats bit harsh. Its just a bit of fun, and the kids (and Gerry!) love i. Igonre it and pretend you`re not home if you have to, but I think its really mean of other people to suggest they`d actually open the door and insult a bunch of kids out to have a bit of fun. Dunno whats wrong with some people..

Tom Clifford ● 4180d

Not at all sour Gerry. It's a hideous commercialised annual 'event' which we have imported from those arbiters of good taste', the United States.Even they cannot manage the fact that is was 'Trick AND treat' not 'Trick or treat'.I now just ignore the doorbell and they can go and 'scare' some other mug.

Nigel Brooks ● 4180d

No Keith, I love to see the happy children asking me if I want a trick or a treat - brightens a damp and cold'ish evening methinks.

Gerry Tan ● 4180d

Thanks Andy, that's an excellent suggestion. My wife has just received a reminder from Waitrose I think that a large round tin of Rose's assorted wrapped sweets is on specila offer of only £4 a tin! She's off to the super market poste haste!And Nigel and Tony, why are you so sour against children calling at Halloween time? They love giving me what they think is a scare when dresses as witches and wizards - we love them calling too, with their parents watching their children from the pavements!  Happy times!PS:  Andy, what's Costaco please?

Gerry Tan ● 4180d

A piece of your mind...if you feel you can spare it of course ;-)

Keith Iddon ● 4180d

A punch up the bracket.

Tony Wood ● 4180d

A smile, if I bother to answer the door at all.I hate this horrible imported 'tradition'.Cue the naysayers.

Nigel Brooks ● 4180d

Supermarkets now sell large buckets of sweets.  If you have a Costco membership then they are much better value there.

Andy Vaughan ● 4180d