A few months ago I started a chatting class ....one that I have twice a month, but the students only choose one of those days to come and enjoy something to eat, something to drink and "lively and entertaining discussions on various topics".
I have a great idea for this month's topic....talking about Halloween and all that is involved. (I can't tell you what I'm making to eat as some of my students read my blog, but we'll be safe in saying that it's going to be a delicious afternoon!!! Guaranteeeeeeeed!)
Here in Japan, especially in Nagasaki, the basic concept of this fun celebration is there...but...it...just...doesn't...quite...work. There are decorations and candy and the language schools have parties and yet.....no trick or treating. No soaping of windows or toilet papering of yards. No candy corn. No popcorn balls. No miniature-sized chocolate bars.
The last Halloween I celebrated in the States was in 1990. I was teaching 6th grade at that time down in the Rio Grande Valley in Pretty-damn-close-to-Mexico Texas. Teachers wore costumes (I was a hippie protesting the low wages for teachers...yeah, my principal loved that one!) and the kids changed into their costumes in the afternoon for a parade through the school and a party in our rooms. I'm sure that later that night, a bunch of us teachers were probably at the Holiday Inn (or some other equally cheezy place) for a party and waaay too much alcohol (of that I'm almost positive!).....in costume, of course!
As my memories of Halloween and all that we did are a bit outdated, here is where I am asking for your input. 
*For People with Kids*6. Does the town where you live have a Halloween parade? Or do they do something else? of nothing at all?
If you answer the questions and help me out, you know I'll love ya forever!!
7 comments:
I can't imagine that soaping of windows or toilet papering of yards would ever catch on in Japan LOL!
**For Big Kids and Everyone Else**
1. Do you decorate your house/apartment/condo for Halloween? If yes, what do you do?
Of course! I have many many Halloween decorations and I place them all around my condo. I have a fake pumpkin cut in a skull & crossbones that I'll display in my window!
2. Are there many 'trick or treaters' where you live?
Now, that I don't know, since I moved here this past July.
3. Do you buy candy for the kids? What kind will you buy? What's YOUR favorite?
But I'll be buying candy, of course! Just in case :-) I like the caramel apple lollipops the best, and for candy bowls in the condo...candy corn, of course!
4. At your place of employment, what is done (if anything) to celebrate Halloween?
When I first started working there, there weren't many people, so I'd decorate my office for Halloween. Then as we grew and grew, we tried to get everyone in the spirit by holding a costume contest! I've got some great shots of folks :-)
5. Do you go out to a bar or party on Halloween? In costume? What was your costume last year? Have you decided what you'll be this year?
Since I'm lucky enough to live near Salem, MA, home of all that is spooky I like to go there, but wow, is it CROWDED!!! I do have a wench dress I can wear, depending on how cold it is. I also have a huge bag of Halloween makeup and accessories!
6. Does the town where you live have a Halloween parade? Or do they do something else? of nothing at all?
Don't know, since I just moved here.
1. How old are your kids?
8 and 11.
2. Will they go 'trick or treating' this year?
Of course!
3. What will their costumes be? If you haven't decided, what were they last year?
haven't decided, last year the 11 year old was a vampire - or I guess a vampires and boy was scary guy in black with scary mask - I will find a photo and send it to you....
4. At your kids' school...do they do anything to celebrate Halloween
nope. Their school never has - I don't think it is to be "politically correct" just because they find it a big pain in the butt and distraction. I can kind of understand, however I used to LOVE Halloween at school!
5. Is there anything special that your kids like to do to celebrate Halloween?
carve pumpkins - but sometimes we forget!
Soaping windows, egging and tp-ing can get you arrested around here!
I emailed my answers..
*For People with Kids*
1. How old are your kids?
Still at home--16 & 14
2. Will they go 'trick or treating' this year?
Probably not, but this will be their first year not to. It's a Saturday night so there will be costume parties for sure.
3. What will their costumes be? If you haven't decided, what were they last year?
My son is always something with a scary mask. Last year my daughter dressed in an old prom dress and wore a sash that said "Miss Understood." The teenage girls have got to be cute.
4. At your kids' school...do they do anything to celebrate Halloween?
In our elementary school it was always the kindergarteners that did the costume parade.
5. Is there anything special that your kids like to do to celebrate Halloween?
We used to have a pre-trick-or treat block party--a chance for everyone to have some hearty soup and bread before heading out for the candy haul.
We decorate inside and out and even if we go somewhere we'll leave a bowl of candy on the doorstep for trick-or-treaters.
I emailed my answers. halloween, is by far, my kids favorite holiday. so much fun to dress up. a chance to shed the ordinary and have some fun with clothes. love it when people get creative.
Jenn - I just love "Miss Understood" Hilarious!
**For Big Kids and Everyone Else**
1. Do you decorate your house/apartment/condo for Halloween? If yes, what do you do?
Even I, who isn't that big on decorating for holidays, do a bit. I have a couple of cute ceramic jack-o-lanterns that light up.
2. Are there many 'trick or treaters' where you live?
In the area - yes, on our street - not so many. Our friends on the main street might get more than 100 kids.
3. Do you buy candy for the kids? What kind will you buy? What's YOUR favorite?
Brian is working so I might turn out the lights and pretend I'm not home! If I do buy candy it is the assortment that must include Almond Joys!
4. At your place of employment, what is done (if anything) to celebrate Halloween?
Not at the district office. Most schools in our district don't do the parade anymore. Kids can put their costumes on in the afternoon and have a party in their classrooms.
5. Do you go out to a bar or party on Halloween? In costume? What was your costume last year? Have you decided what you'll be this year?
Haven't dressed up since my 20s!
6. Does the town where you live have a Halloween parade? Or do they do something else? of nothing at all?
No parades that I've ever heard of around here. Merchants have trick-or-treating for young kids in the late afternoon/early evening in all of the business districts and shopping malls.
Enjoy the conversation!
kim
**For Big Kids and Everyone Else**
1. Do you decorate your house/apartment/condo for Halloween? If yes, what do you do?
No, my hubby and I are not big into decorating outside of the house, we have small stuff inside of the house. Like mini pumpkins on the dining table.
2. Are there many 'trick or treaters' where you live?
Yes. Some of them come with their parents, and I remember thinking some parents are kind of rude...
3. Do you buy candy for the kids? What kind will you buy? What's YOUR favorite?
Yes, I just buy a huge back of mixed candies. My favorite is Reeses and KitKat :)
4. At your place of employment, what is done (if anything) to celebrate Halloween?
Unfortunately no. I do welcome free candy though. I guess it is because some people might not celebrate Halloween...
5. Do you go out to a bar or party on Halloween? In costume? What was your costume last year? Have you decided what you'll be this year?
Yes, we do go to a Halloween party at our friend's house. My costume last year was Princess Leia, and my husband was darth vader LOL
This year, I am snow white, and we are still thinking if he should be a prince or a dwarf LOL
6. Does the town where you live have a Halloween parade? Or do they do something else? of nothing at all?
I don't think we do anything as a town.
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