Halloween is here to stay in New Zealand, so embrace it

Friday, 27 October 2017

Halloween is here to stay. Embrace it by coming up with creative costumes to make with your little ones.

OPINION: Halloween grinches lighten up. Halloween is here to stay and it's only going to become more popular and I, for one, am pleased. Instead of bemoaning the event, here are some great points in favour of Halloween.

Sure, you could see it as a crass, commercialised American celebration. Or, as someone on an unscientific poll on the Rodney Times Neighbourly page suggested - a time when 'demonic forces' are at work. But how about we treat Halloween for what it is, a fun and creative way to socialise with friends and neighbours?

I look forward to Halloween every year - for me and my family, it's a chance to be creative, socialise with neighbours and have a good time.

* We should send Halloween back to where it belongs

* Hibiscus Coast neighbourhood giving back this Halloween**

We make our costumes and decorations together in the lead up - spending quality time together and being creative. Every year we hand deliver letters, letting our neighbours know that Halloween's coming up. We include posters in the envelopes so people can choose whether they want to participate or not. On the night if there's a 'No trick or treating' poster on the door, we simply move on to the next house. Inevitably, all the children from the street come out dressed up, and us parents chaperone behind the pack - talking and getting to know each other a bit better. It's always a fun evening.

In this article recently published on Stuff, the author uses an often rolled out reason to hate the holiday. She says, 'For 364 days of the year we tell children, 'don't talk to strangers' and absolutely 'do not take candy from strangers'. Then on October 31 we toss our important and well-justified rules out the window.' This is a nay-sayers favourite. Nevermind the fact we force our kids to sit on some white-bearded fella's knee every Christmas and smile for the camera - I'm not sure how that's acceptable but Halloween isn't. Also, you're not asking 'strangers' for candy. When I take my children trick or treating it's down our street to, you know, our neighbours.

'But what about all that unhealthy candy?' I hear you cry. I think the answer's quite simple - don't let your kids guzzle up every lolly in their loot bag in one go. Store the lollies in the top of the cupboard and ration them out. From my experience as a trick-or-treating mum of two, kids are more interested in the excitement of the event, rather than stuffing their faces.

I know Halloween is not for everyone, and each to their own. Be pro-active if you don't want pesky kids knocking on your door all night and put up a sign saying 'No trick or treaters.' I think most would respect your wishes. Otherwise, don a witches hat, buy a bag of lollies and open your door to your neighbours - you just might have a good time.