I’ve managed to avoid having much to do with Halloween. Until now.
The children were quite comfortable with being told “We just don’t do Halloween in our family, because Mummy doesn’t like it.” Until now.
Young Lady asked to go trick-or-treating with her friend. I said no.
I sat down with her and explained why I don’t like Halloween, that I feel uncomfortable with the emphasis on ghosts and ghouls and scary creepy things. I explained why I dislike trick-or-treating, (going up to strangers doors to ask for lollies when the rest of the time we tell children not to accept lollies from strangers, the potential for sugar overload, the implied encouragement of extortion and the commercialisation of the whole event.) Young Lady was unconvinced. “I’ll be with my friend, and I could find a nice costume not a scary one.”
No. It’s just not Kiwi. (Any stray trick-or-treaters that venture down our driveway are offered fresh fruit instead. I’m not a complete spoil sport.)
But I’ve nothing against children having fun. So I found a “Spring Party” hosted by a Church in the next suburb (Dress up but no scary costumes). I encouraged the children to think of a mini-wearable-arts project we could make (in three days with a tight budget). They sat down with pencil and paper and designed some ideas, I spent more than I intended at the local craft shop, and headed over to L’s to use her sewing machine and expertise.
“I’m not having fun!” grinned L as she gleefully snipped and sewed. Yeah, right.
We created a white dove, a black cat, and a blue space-man.
Then it turned out Young Lady’s friend didn’t really want to go trick-or-treating either (it was big sister’s idea) and was quite happy to join us in a non-scary event.
They had such a good time they all want to go back again next year.
Collect on the Eve of All Saints’
Almighty God,you have knit together your elect
in one communion and fellowship
in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:
grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
that you have prepared for those who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Happy All Saints’ Eve everyone.
