Halloween - the entire month of October?

Sunny

Sunny

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Maryland
I used to love Halloween, partly because my birthday is near that date, and partly because I love the crisp October weather and the gorgeous foliage. But this year, I'm looking forward to it being over. It started before it was even October, and it's nearly impossible to find anything to watch on TV (other than the political stuff) that isn't about witches, ghosts, demons, haunted houses, increasingly violent and terrifying horror. Even the streaming channels are shoving this stuff down our throats.

Of course, the business community is trying to capitalize on it as much as possible. Every store I walk into has their Halloween display near the front door, so you'll run right into it first thing, and be reminded that you're supposed to buy something that is orange or black, and scary, or cutely "scary," or something like that. Not to mention the glut of candy. I wanted to buy some wrapping paper for Xmas season, and found it impossible; I ended up returning to good old Amazon, as usual.

What gives? Are we all turning into scared children? In my case, it doesn't work. No matter how scary the movie, newspaper article about a haunted house, or whatever, tries to be, I find the horrors of real life that I keep reading about and seeing on the news, a lot scarier. What is more terrifying, seeing what Putin has done, and continues to do to Ukraine, or watching yet another movie about a haunted house?

And all this stuff is so trite and old-hat, most of it isn't even really scary. It's like we've returned to medieval times, or even earlier than that, with the cave men sitting around the campfire, with the Storyteller trying to scare them to death. (I'm sure nighttime was plenty scary back then, with no electricity!)

I think human behavior in today's real world is a lot scarier. And I wish they'd return Halloween to a few days at the end of October, and let the poor ghosts and goblins get some rest!
 

Halloween, all month long? Sorry, stores have been pushing Xmas since August. QVC, HSN are into full Xmas mode. Those shmaltzy Hallmark channels, which usually have those romantic flicks about an undercover prince meets a cookie baker: are now filled with Santas, Xmas trees, and elves. Some may stretch Halloween all month long, but the "true" meaning of Xmas starts with 'Xmas in July" sales through to the Xmas clearance sales in January.
 
The real world is certainly awash with scary stuff...always has been. I also do not like the massive exploitation of these holidays. Misa's Dollar General has Xmas junk already. BUT, humans have made stories/myths about most of life's events especially the BIG mysteries. When autumn comes it gets darker, and we can see through the forests now. We imagine things in the dark and sometimes they scare us. Is it Mexica that celebrates the "Day of the Dead"? These traditions go back 1000's of years and they still remain a mystery...beware of the unknown!
 

When a kid lives out in the country, trick or treating is pretty much off the calendar. However, the town’s volunteer fire company held a party for kids 14 and under. We were a rural community, so this was supposed to replace trick or treating. I was 10 when I went to my first party. It was a good time. Besides the treats, we also had hot dogs, chips, pretzels, some pumpkin cookies and cider. That’s all I can remember. There was a good turnout. I would guess around 75 or more kids total, plus moms and dads. We played games for prizes and blew up orange and black balloons and taped them on the walls.
 
Not a fan of Halloween or holidays in general. I noticed driving home last evening the number of people putting out weird lights for Halloween like it's Dark Christmas out here.
 
I do miss when Halloween was to be geared for a few days before the actual day. Nowadays, I get sick of it before it gets here! The over elaborate displays on people's lawns that are simply an eyesore instead of fun. I used to have neighbors who made a point of covering their very large lawn with skeletons, dummies that looked like corpses, etc. The other neighbors complained because it didn't look creative or scary, just messy.
 
“Halloween - the entire month of October?”

I say, “Why Not”?

Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" ―Humbert Wolfe


October's eves, reverberate of Halloween fun, spirit, and holy remembrance; throughout the comprehensive term of October.

When my loved ones lived; We honored birthdays during the entire duration of their blessed moment, allowing thirty plus days of profound observance and appreciation for another’s life, and presence in the world.

Day to day, wherein special treats given and kindnesses received rose expanded, enriched, glowing feeling of happiness and endearing thankfulness, for both the recipient and giver.

Likewise, honoring Halloween is a month-long affair that deserves similar attention; it offers lasting enjoyment and pleasure that gather us to be something else of our making.

It’s an extraordinary occasion that roots deep in our psyche on many, many, different levels, with various meaning, and meanings.

“Superstitions and masquerades are part of human nature.” Halloween befits us more than we know.

I admire, admonish, the brave-hearted who dare to celebrate, escape, unrestrained and unabashed, as they trek off the beaten path, disguised, veiled … and free. Whether it be figuratively, literally, or vicariously; celebrating Halloween is a blast—All Month Long!
 
Old_Dame said:
“Halloween - the entire month of October?”

I say, “Why Not”?

Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" ―Humbert Wolfe


October's eves, reverberate of Halloween fun, spirit, and holy remembrance; throughout the comprehensive term of October.

When my loved ones lived; We honored birthdays during the entire duration of their blessed moment, allowing thirty plus days of profound observance and appreciation for another’s life, and presence in the world.

Day to day, wherein special treats given and kindnesses received rose expanded, enriched, glowing feeling of happiness and endearing thankfulness, for both the recipient and giver.

Likewise, honoring Halloween is a month-long affair that deserves similar attention; it offers lasting enjoyment and pleasure that gather us to be something else of our making.

It’s an extraordinary occasion that roots deep in our psyche on many, many, different levels, with various meaning, and meanings.

“Superstitions and masquerades are part of human nature.” Halloween befits us more than we know.

I admire, admonish, the brave-hearted who dare to celebrate, escape, unrestrained and unabashed, as they trek off the beaten path, disguised, veiled … and free. Whether it be figuratively, literally, or vicariously; celebrating Halloween is a blast—All Month Long!
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I agree that celebrating it all month long is fine, it is just the insistent commercialism that annoys me.
 
What I dislike most is the endless horror movies shown on most channels starting in September 'til mid November. As far as the retailers are concerned, they push so long and hard it's nauseating. By the time Halloween actually rolls around it's lost its punch.

Now Halloween and Christmas advertising overlap. We can't even get past Halloween before they start hammering Christmas. It starts earlier every year, is unrelenting, and lasts until after Christmas. :rolleyes:
 
Last night, as I was surfing around, trying to find something that was not horror-related, I stumbled on My Cousin Vinny, which was about halfway over. Even though I've seen that movie about a dozen times, I watched the second half, and it did the trick. I was laughing my head off by the end. What a wonderful antidote to the current horrorfest that's on TV.
 
Sunny said:
I used to love Halloween, partly because my birthday is near that date, and partly because I love the crisp October weather and the gorgeous foliage. But this year, I'm looking forward to it being over. It started before it was even October, and it's nearly impossible to find anything to watch on TV (other than the political stuff) that isn't about witches, ghosts, demons, haunted houses, increasingly violent and terrifying horror. Even the streaming channels are shoving this stuff down our throats.

Of course, the business community is trying to capitalize on it as much as possible. Every store I walk into has their Halloween display near the front door, so you'll run right into it first thing, and be reminded that you're supposed to buy something that is orange or black, and scary, or cutely "scary," or something like that. Not to mention the glut of candy. I wanted to buy some wrapping paper for Xmas season, and found it impossible; I ended up returning to good old Amazon, as usual.

What gives? Are we all turning into scared children? In my case, it doesn't work. No matter how scary the movie, newspaper article about a haunted house, or whatever, tries to be, I find the horrors of real life that I keep reading about and seeing on the news, a lot scarier. What is more terrifying, seeing what Putin has done, and continues to do to Ukraine, or watching yet another movie about a haunted house?

And all this stuff is so trite and old-hat, most of it isn't even really scary. It's like we've returned to medieval times, or even earlier than that, with the cave men sitting around the campfire, with the Storyteller trying to scare them to death. (I'm sure nighttime was plenty scary back then, with no electricity!)

I think human behavior in today's real world is a lot scarier. And I wish they'd return Halloween to a few days at the end of October, and let the poor ghosts and goblins get some rest!
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I agree with you, except although Fall is my favorite season, for me Halloween puts a damper on it. It is my least favorite holiday and wish they would just do away with the nonsense. Each year I wait for it to be over with, sick of it already. 👎
 
carouselsilver said:
I do miss when Halloween was to be geared for a few days before the actual day. Nowadays, I get sick of it before it gets here! The over elaborate displays on people's lawns that are simply an eyesore instead of fun. I used to have neighbors who made a point of covering their very large lawn with skeletons, dummies that looked like corpses, etc. The other neighbors complained because it didn't look creative or scary, just messy.
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Aww gee, so they lack talent. Can YOU draw like Da Vinci?
 
SeaBreeze said:
I agree with you, except although Fall is my favorite season, for me Halloween puts a damper on it. It is my least favorite holiday and wish they would just do away with the nonsense. Each year I wait for it to be over with, sick of it already. 👎
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Noooooooooooooo 🤫it is my Birthday and I want everyone to enjoy the Holiday🤗

My fav season is and always has been spring...though the colors of leaves changing are pretty awesome!
 
oldaunt said:
Aww gee, so they lack talent. Can YOU draw like Da Vinci?
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Actually, I am an artist. So let's just say that my artistic sensibilities are offended. I have seen some tasteful and creative Halloween decorations, and then some that look like someone was getting evicted and put all their stuff on the lawn. Lots of neighbors complained every year about the messy display.
 

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