On Greedy Holidays

[lhynard]

One of the main reasons I very much dislike Halloween is probably unexpected

Comments

[aefenglommung]

Actually, the modern custom of trick-or-treat is, in fact, the direct descendant of Christmas wassailing. Christmas was a time of drunken visits, juvenile vandalism, and so on -- which is largely why the Puritans banned it.

When Christmas was reinvented in the Victorian Age as a festival of domestic harmony -- an indoor affair of the family only, rather than a communal affair of the poor expecting hospitality on the part of the rich -- the rowdiness migrated to Hallowe'en, at least in America.

[lhynard]

Thanks for the correction on my limited understanding of the history. I found that really interesting.

[aefenglommung]

For a complete social history of Christmas, including all the rowdy parts we are used to ignoring, I recommend The Battle for Christmas, by Stephen Nissenbaum. It's a really good book.

[dogs_n_rodents]

One thing my mother does on Halloween is give out evangelical pamphlets to kids in addition to treats. She doesn't care if parents are somehow offended, but she wants to remind people why "Hallows-Eve" really exists (despite the fact that she, like myself doesn't much celebrate the Catholic day of All Saints Day).

[lhynard]

It's also Reformation Day for us Protestants.

[dogs_n_rodents]

Reformation Day.... huh, I can't say I've ever heard of it. It is relating to something Luther did?

[lhynard]

As far as I know, Luther posted the 95 Theses on All-Saints Eve.

[earthminor]

Kids in Australia are starting to trick or treat and it really annoys me. It's an American tradition; I don't see why I should provide candy or get egged. I've never given out anything before but maybe I will get something this year to hand out due to the area we live in now; they really might do some yucky stuff to the house/car. :p

Also I think it's incredible that on one day of the year it's okay to eat food from strangers. :p

[lhynard]

A lot of parents are actually scared about the eating candy from strangers bit and will only let the kids eat from tamper-proof packages.

[sadeyedartist]

Some people do it because its fun--how many costume balls have there been in this century? Not many. Outside the realm of theater, not many people get to dress up and be creative like that. I think walking around for candy in street clothes would be stupid.

[sadeyedartist]

I do hate the "trick" part, though.