We’ve had All Hallow’s Eve as an on going ‘thing’ for hundreds of years, but it’s only caught on in a big way in the last couple of years.
For the past three hundred years Halloween has been taken over by Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot. Ever since he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament we have had giant bonfires to burn his effigy while letting off copious amounts of fireworks.
As I’ve grown older I’ve became more acutely aware of what the bon fires represented and am not so keen on watching the effigy of someone burning on a pyre.
I have many fond memories of firework nights as a child, even so, nostalgia is all well and good, but there were many house fires each year on that night, countless more accidents involving the misuse of fireworks and the smog played havoc with people’s lungs.
Thankfully these days the majority of people go to public displays and the sale of fireworks is more strictly overseen. Hence Halloween has come into its own again.
Treats not sweets
In our road we have an understanding that if you have Halloween decorations in your porch you will welcome trick or treaters. Among other things in my porch I have a picture of a large golden cauldron in the window with the times I am open for.
Children happily wander the streets with buckets full of sweets – is this really what we want to encourage them to do?
This year I decided to give out treats - not sweets.
I’ve bought some plastic mini cauldrons, filled them with scary stickers, fake tattoos, plastic spiders etc. I’m sure the children will find them just as much fun and they can keep the cauldrons for next year.
I will go out trick or treating with my young granddaughter, this year and when we get back we shall have a healthy, hearty, homemade Halloween supper.
Obviously the room and table will be appropriately decorated and the lighting just a little low!
The sweet recipes are not too sweet – using spelt flour, coconut sugar or agave syrup, and less sugar than normally recommended.
Go to my Halloween Supper page to find some delicious ideas for a warming, spooky feast!
I know that many of you already do all sorts of things – I’d love to hear about the way you spent Halloween.