Do you celebrate Halloween?

[Aidensmom]

When I was a kid, it seems like all my friends celebrated Halloween and went trick-or-treating. Many of the people I know now do not let their children celebrate it, they think it is "wrong", and they may do something like a Fall Festival at church or something instead.

Have attitudes changed towards Halloween, or is it just because I live in the "Bible Belt" now and so am seeing a regional difference?

Just as a note, I am a Christian, but I don't have a problem with my son trick-or-treating or dressing up. Regardless of what the roots may be to this holiday (and I know that in itself can be debated), I think that in modern times, it is just a holiday for children to have fun.

 

[Planogirl]

From what I understand, Halloween is more popular than ever. It's probably getting a bit of a backlash from some religious groups. I have noticed that there are always plenty of parties and haunted houses, and the decorations are getting more and more ornate and varied.

Personally, I really enjoy Halloween and have since I was a kid. The spooky stuff is just fun to me.

 

[MosMom]

We celebrate it and it is one of my favorite "holidays". Soooo much fun!!! Muahahahahahah!

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I totally agree with you. We still trick or treat but we have to go to my parents neighborhood to get many houses with their lights on. I live in a pretty newly built neighborhood and no one is ever out. We buy a bag of candy and less than half gets passed out. I thought that may be why. Many churches have activities instead. My kids' daycare does a really neat Halloween carnival, but thankfully it is always on another night besides the 31st so my kids get to wear their costumes twice. Makes me feel better about the $$ spent on costumes!!!

 

[MosMom]

My SIL doesn't allow my nephews to celebrate. Instead they dress up like bible characters and go get candy at the church. Big difference.

 

[bananiem]

Last year we were weeks away from moving into our house so we brought the kids to the "new" neighborhood to trick or treat and meet some people. We were thrilled to find that all of the neighbors seem to try to out-do each other in the decorations department. It's fantastic and we're busy thinking of what to do for our yard and porch this year.

 

[cynsaun]

That's the big holiday in our house.

 

[WDWMom]

We live in a very religious community and many people do not let their kids go out or give out candy. Our kids partake in begging for the candy, but they have no idea to how the holiday got started.

 

[DemonLlama]

It's the opposite for me -- as a kid I was not allowed to trick or treat or celebrate Halloween. Now, I'm out there with my kids every year.

I do notice lots of places focusing on the "Fall Festival" stuff, especially if there will be lots of diversity in attendees and the need to not offend some folks redirects the name of the event.

Back when I was a kid, though, this wouldn't have changed my parents' minds: All Hallows Eve = devil's holy day

This apparently wasn't a long standing conviction, since they are perfectly fine with my kids dressing up now. . . DD is even going to Hermione Granger this year!

 

[NMAmy]

Yep, we celebrate Halloween and all the neighbors do, too. DD is getting a little old to trick-or-treat but actually, we get a lot of teenagers trick-or-treating. As long as they dress up and make an effort, I'm all for it. Saw some GREAT costumes on older kids last year.A lot of the neighbors decorate, as do we.

We even celebrate with a costume parade around campus at work. In fact, we decorate our office as well and we all dress up. Last year, we had a beauty pageant--I was "Miss Demeanor." Others were "Miss Behavior," and my favorite "Miss Conception" (one guy wore a ball gown that he let out to accommodate his pregnancy.) I don't know what we'll do this year but I'm sure we'll do something fun.

 

[fanofmickey]

I happen to work at a church preschool, and we have Halloween parties during our school hours and allow the kids to dress in their costumes during that time.

My biggest personal problem with Halloween is that parents won't tell their kids that they are too old to trick-or-treat - I have high school juniors coming to my door. They are too cool to say, "Trick or Treat", but they stand there and hold out their bags for the candy. I refuse to drop it in the bag until they say it.

 

[experiment626mom]

We were married Halloween weekend so it's all ways a big deal in our house. It's my favorite holiday!!!

 

[helenabear]

Back when I was a kid, though, this wouldn't have changed my parents' minds: All Hallows Eve = devil's holy day

Sorry, that is a mistake...

http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2001/Family.asp

Yes, we celebrate Halloween, but I admit I get a bit defensive on the holiday. The original Christian flare to this had NOTHING to do with the devil.

Sadly it has turned out that way, and some do believe it... making others not want to participate in the holiday.

Kind of sad to me... same with Mardi Gras

 

[kasar]

Are you kidding? The kids start picking out their costumes over the summer. We love Halloween, wouldn't miss it.

 

[Maleficent13]

NO!

Halloween is the DEBIL!

 

[cynsaun]

NO!

Halloween is the DEBIL!

I thought it was football that was the DEBIL?

 

[grlpwrd]

Yes, we do here. Lots of folks I know, though, have those fall or harvest festivals, too, at their place of worship or they just don't celebrate.

Ironically, my parents let us trick or treat when we were kids yet now because they attend a new Christian church and agree to their beliefs they discourage us from doing so with our kids.

 

[Maleficent13]

Lots of things are the DEBIL!

Foosball, Halloween, girls...(although for me I guess it would be boys, since I have a girl!)

BOYS ARE THE DEBIL!

 

[jennyl772003]

I have no problem letting my son go out every year.

My son goes to a Lutheran day care (just for after school) and they are letting the kids dress up. The only thing they ask is that there are no witches, monsters, etc. But they make a point to write that this is because it is a Christian day care and because of the young students.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

We will be doing Halloween on the Magic! DD is Lilo and I have been told I will be Nani.
Bought black wigs and DH says we still don't look Samoian
LOL!