Halloween in New Zealand has a patchy history. Apart from it being completely the wrong time of year, our migrants pretty much shed all the old traditions for All Hallow’s Eve – Scottish guising, for example, didn’t survive over here with our Scottish migrants. Nevertheless Halloween, and trick or treating in particular, has crept upwards in popularity since everyone went to see E.T. in 1982. It’s still an uncommon pursuit over here, though, and lots of people really don’t like it for all sorts of reasons (which is completely fine of course).
I do like it, though. Kids in costumes is just fun. It can be a lovely, lightweight way to build community, if the conditions are right. And I happen to live in a place where the conditions are right – lots of children in a very walkable suburb with quiet, safe streets.
So for the second year in a row we’re welcoming trick or treaters. If I had my way, shops in NZ would sell “Trick or treaters are welcome here” signs so that people who want the visit can let it be known, and everyone else can happily be left alone. In the absence of that – I’ve made my own.
[[EMBED DISABLED because it kept crashing the page. Email me if you’ve googled this up and want a copy! morgue@gmail.com]]
Looking forward to tonight!
Ooh, sounds just like why we’re joining in a little this year rather than putting up a ‘no tricks or treats’ sign…though we might put up something that says ‘trick and treaters welcome until 7:30’ because that’s when the kids go to bed. They won’t be going out, but we’ve made cookies and they are dressed up ready to give them to trick or treaters who come to the door 🙂
And! My iPad wont let me see your sign, but if you want to email it to me (because I reckon it’ll be cool) I’ll print one for here too 🙂
Me, your friendly stalker again 🙂 Just heard the NZ Police have made a poster too…though I do like yours says an adult and costume is needed!
http://www.police.govt.nz/featured/police-encourage-safety-first-halloween
Arthur had a novel approach to the smattering of trick or treaters tonight. He wouldn’t let them on to the property and instead chased them down the street to ask if they were, trick or treaters, and forcing them to take treats he was carrying!