A couple years back, there was a petition circulating on the social media circuit about changing Halloween to the last Saturday of Halloween, instead of having it on the 31st. That way parents didn't have to worry about rushing home from work to get their kids ready if the holiday was in the middle of the week. I remember thinking to myself just like Americans to want to change a whole holiday to fit their consumeristic agenda. In the words of Allison from Hocus Pocus, "It just so happens that Halloween is based on the ancient feast called All Hallows Eve." It marks the day before Day of the Dead, and to change Halloween would mean changing a period of observance honored by people all over the world.
I've never been one to celebrate Halloween. I love horror films, and admittedly, I watch Hocus Pocus multiple times throughout the month of October, but dressing up in a costume? Trick or treating? It's never been my thing. My mom didn't celebrate when I was growing up; my dad would take me to the mall to get candy with my makeshift pillowcase sack, but even he wasn't that into it. As an adult, I never got the hype, and maybe it's because of what it's turned into: a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok (again, to quote Hocus Pocus).
However, the older I get and the more funerals I attend, the greater an appreciation I develop for day of the dead. It's a beautiful celebration of the ones we've loved and lost in this life, and I especially admire the way Latin Americans (rooted in Mexican heritage) take time to honor their memory in a tangible way. Every year around this time I pull out my día de muertos adult coloring book and try my hand at a colorful portrait. Am I any good? No.
But my heart is in the right place.
But my heart is in the right place.
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I went trick or treating a few times around my village before when I was a kid, just so I got to experience it. But then my parents are dentists, so they weren't really keen with me bringing home bags of candies.. haha! These past years, Halloween has just been like any other day honestly. It was just this year that I got to go out with friends just so we could have dinner, a few drinks, and people-watch on those who wore costumes. I admired their effort in dressing up. It's definitely good to remember those who have gone before us though. It's deemed a holiday for us here in the Philippines so we can have time to visit the cemetery on the next day after Halloween.
ReplyDeleteAnna Jo | http://helloannajo.blogspot.com
as with all the best holidays, the luster fades as we age. i love that it's an official day of remembrance for you guys!
DeleteI went trick or treating as a kid but when I got older I never understood the hype of it all. I don't even like people knocking at my door because I don't like being disturbed. I have given out candy on a few occasions only because my children asked me to. However, I will say that I do enjoy going to halloween parties. Maybe it's because they seem more personal to me.
ReplyDeletelol, my dog feels the exact same way about people knocking on *her* door. so we usually have to put her out back when the trick or treating starts. and i've only ever been to one Halloween party, but it was also a birthday party for a close friend, so i didn't bother to dress up. and i actually had fun!
Deletethanks for reading. ❤️