Since Halloween is this month, how many are going to Halloween parties and what will be your costume? What did you dress up as a child and what age did you stop trick or treating?

Well then Kim,

1st: I will be dressing up as "IT" out of Stephen Kings IT. (Scary ass clowns).
2nd: In the early part of my years I have dressed up as Hellraiser, Freddy Kruger, Scream.
3rd: I stopped trick or treating around 7-8 years of age.

I think ill dress up as a distracted teenager. Hey look, halloween came early =)

ive dressed as many things.

Not sure what ill be this year. Probably just throw on a dress and pretend im a princess. lol

last year was my last trick-or-treating.

Nothing this year.......................I'm with Warrior. A distracted teen.........

Halloween has its origins from the Catholic Church. It was All Saints Day in honor of saints. But in 5th Century B.C, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended Oct. 31st. The holiday was called Samhain (sowen), the Celtic New Year. One story has it that on that day, disembodied spirits of all those who had died in the last year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed that was their only hope for after life. The Celts beleived all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living. The still living did not want to be possessed so on Oct. 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in ghoulish costumes an parade around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess. Probably a better explanation of why Celts extingusihed their fires was not to discourage spirit possession but so that Celtic tribes could relight their fires from a common source, the Drudic fire that was kep burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach. Some accounts tell of how the Celts would buirn someone at the stake who was thought to have already been possessed, as a lesson to the spirits. The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some other Roman traditions such as the day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples. The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their countrys potatoe famine. Trick or Treating is thought to have originated not with Irish Celts, but with ninth-century European custom called souling. On Nov. 2,All Saints Day, early Christians would walk village to village begging for soul cakes made of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggers recieved, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death and that prayer even by strangers could expedite a souls passage to heaven. The jack o Lantern custom comes from Irish folklore. A man called Jack notorious as a drunkard and trickster, tricked Satan into the devil up the tree. Jack then carved an image of a cross in the trees trunk trapping the devil up the tree. Jack made a deal with the devil that if he would never tempt him again, he would let him down the tree. According to the tale, Jack died and was denied entrance to heaven because of his evil ways. He also was denied entrance to hell because he had tricked the devil. Instead the devil gave him a single ember to light his way through the darkness. The ember was placed insdie a hollowed out turnip to keep it glowing longer. The Irish used turnips as jack o lanterns at first but when the immigrants came to America and saw pumpkins were more plentiful, they lit jack o lanterns with embers. So, although some cults have adopted Halloween as their favorite holiday, it did not come out of evil. It grew out of rituals of Celtics celebrating a New Year and out of Medievel Times prayer rituals in Europe. Today, the day is only as evil as you care to make it. THE END!!

Yup! A long tail it is!:P I think Haloween is kind of pointless, now that I think about it. It's basically a kiddie holiday and an excuse for parties and dances. :P lol

Stop Trick or Treating??? Are you supposed to stop??? Wow, how come nobody bothered telling me this?? I get dressed up in something that compliments my kids outfits, then take them door to door and pimp them for candy (they don't get to eat candy, only one piece a day during Halloween time) so SOMEONE has to eat the heaps of candy!!! It's a sacrifice on my part, I know, but I'd rather suffer the cavities than my kids. It's a tough thing to have to eat all that candy, but for the sake of my kids health, do it I must. :)

Well pointless . . . yes, Halloween has become an excuse for teenagers to be able to flash as much skin in the hallway and not be called a whore. Or for boys to get away dressing in their sisters clothes. why is it that they can't do that on a normal basis, but they have to create a whole Holiday devoted to it. GO GET YOUR OWN CANDY!!!! Don't get me wrong I like to dress up as well, but Halloween's meaning has been lost. As for parading around and being destructive as possible, at least our generation got something right there. Not that toilet papering a house, or egging a car hold a candle to the sacrifice of a supposed possesed person. Halloween is meant to be a day where you draw closer to the spirits of those you lost, but personally I think we hang on to the dead too much as it is. We have whole fields of statues to comemorate those who want us to forget that they are no longer in this world. So what is it we're celebrating? Commercialism, the economy. we could have similar arguments about any holiday. I mean, what is christmas, Jesus wasnt even born in december, it was moved to the 25th to convert more people to christianity because it coincided with another roman holiday. Thanksgiving, we barley hear about it now, because there is nothing to sell, you cant sell thanks on a shelf so they dont wanna hear about it. Why don't we start celebrating it the traditional way. Have your neighbors over, cook them a nice meal with food they've never heard of, give them small pox, and wait for them and their whole family to die, then . . . .take their land. ANYWAYS I digress.

As for our Halloween, I say we take up the French tradition, screw candy and bring on the money.

We just like living the horror.

Ahhhh, I so do love your positive perspective Karen =)

Not to start any thing but I'm going to try and be polite when I say this. Karen , get over yourself

Halloween has nothing to do with what you said. Egging a car is not cool and is destruction of property. I dont know anyone who ever got in trouble though for toilet papering other than having to clean it up. You have a great idea of inviting neighbors over and cooking them a meal or working at a mission passing out food but when you want people to die...you are getting more than on the edge, you are over the edge...Im sorry but Im going to have to 5150 you.

umm...how do I put this? Issues?
Yes most holidays have been commercialized, but I find halloween a fun time to sit with my kids and creatively make their costumes...not some generic store bought outfit. We cut and sew (well I do the sewing) but the point is, my kids are having an art class of sorts, and it really jazzes them up. And although I was joking earlier about eating all my kids candy, we actually donate most of it to the womens shelter (houses battered women and their kids) that's downtown. So I see Halloween as a great time! I'm sorry if it has become so dark to you, to me, I get to spend time with my kids and let my creative juices flow in designing outfits. Whats so bad about that? I'm celebrating life...the lives I helped to create--being my kids.

To me it is a good time in a way to let your hair down and do something crazy and fun. What other day in the year can you be who or what ever you want and not be jugged for it.It allows children to be the wildest dream and leave behind stressful world and for parents to see them let go and dream for the day. I t has a great feel to it.

Didn't mean for you to take the whole candy thing in a 'personal' way, I wasn't directing any of what I said at any particular person at all. what can I say, last night I was fuming, about well everything and happened to sign on. Rants, tend to just be a part of who I am. There are a lot of upsides to halloween, just easier for me to see whats not so great i guess.

Knock knock?
Who's there?

"Door opens"

...........................earie silence then booo! 6.3ft tall "IT" Clown.
They all float down here Danny, when your down here you'll float
to.

Everbody likes a good fright.

I did not take it personaly. That's if your talking about me. I'm just tired of self absorbed teens that think the world is such a bad place that they can't see one good thing in any situation.

And Nick to you I be feard , I be freard. I'm so feard! LOL HEHEHEHEHEHE.

Here's Nicky...........................

Sorry Prism, but I'm going to have to take Karens side. Life sucks, hooray!

Pessimistic and self loathing are really great qualities to adhere to. Forward is the way not down or backwards. We are only as complicated as the life we make for ourselves.
P.S. Dress up for Halloween and scare the hell out of people.

A good way to freak people out might be to dress up in something outrageous (like maybe nothing?) and walk into a shopping centre - preferably on pensioners day so there are lots of people there who just dont understand your free way of living... that would be hell funny.

Or maybe get all dressed up as a vampire or something and go to a shop, then when the attendant smilingly asks you if you are going to a fancy dress party you can do your best "i have no idea what you are talking about face" and tell them "No, whyever would you ask that??". For best effect, this should be performed on a day as far away as possible from halloween.



Another thing - we don't actually make a big deal about halloween in Oz so I've never really celebrated it in any way. I went trick or treating once with some of my friends when I was about 7, but everyone we knocked on the door of was just like "ummmm it's halloween then is it?" and then gave us really boring stuff cuz of course they weren't prepared for it. I understand that in the US it is a much bigger deal.

I'm going to be a Hobo.

Who says seniors wouldn't understand?....I'm wearing my birthday suit...now THAT is freaky,lol.

Hehehehe good on you!!!!!!

I must admit to having no idea what date halloween is on. Usually we don't get anyone knocking on our door, like jaecee says it's not such a big deal here. That being said I am always in favor of a bit of innocent fun for no particular reason.

Me and my family are planning a party this year. It is going to be very fun. My mom luvs halloween. I am going to be a 50's Chick with my 2 best friends. I do not plan to stop any time soon. lol!

Good for you....are you wearing a poodle skirt like Laverne and Shirley and bobby soxs and oxfords?

Dressing up in lavish vampire gear could be interesting.

Yay vampire gear - I am having a fancy dress party for my bday next Friday with a Fantasy theme. I am going as a Vampiresse in this awesome black bodice lined with red :D its going to be a blast!!! My S.O is coming as a knigh in shining armour (made from his mum's christmas placemats!!!) yay!!

Happy Birthday!

Thank you!!!!!! It's two weeks from today :D

I may forget so Id rather be early. May each day of your life be a good day.Plan your work and work your plan so that your life will be filled with love, happiness and success. Know that you have people that care about you. I do.

Thank you!!!!!!!! :D

In the past, I have been ...

... clowns, hobos, witches, super heroes, skeletons, mummies, Alex from Clockwork Orange, Blues Brother, Rolling Stones ... Keith was the easiest, as I was in university at the time and never slept, so, yeah, looked a little like death wamed over and didn't require much makeup or dress for that matter.

Stopping wasn't a matter of age, it was more of a question of height.

As to what has gone on in this discussion ... holy crap.

Warrior made me laugh with his first comment. I was enlightened and thankful for Kimberly's historical perpspective. Impressed by Je_pense_donc's articulation; whether I agree or not, love akashastrega's enthusiasm and giving, can't forget the irreverent Nikoli, applaud prism's go with the flow and live in the moment attitude (hope I interpreted that correct). Mesmerized added to the laughter, jaecee's willingness to be open and again, some more laughs (Happy Birthday to you when it comes, hope you have a blast), and am a little surprised at SearwenSundarie01 and Little_Art_Gurl not embracing the fantastical elements ... and last but not least ...

As for me, this year, I am going as an overworked, overstressed, overmedicated, under-exercised, liver enlarged, stock market watching, status obsessed, gas guzzling car driving executive.

Oh ... wait ... that's what I want to be when I grow up.

I have way way too much time on my hands this morning.

Keith was very creative of you!!

Here's Nicky, how do you reckon my folks would react to me going round and chopping their front door down. It would be mint I can see it now. "What are you doing you f'##king idiot" "Here's Nicky"~! chop chop chop, I reckon I would be in the funy wing asap.

Ok, not quite thread related here ... but, I am reminded by Nikoli's words and the other thread I just came from ... my brother's friend ...

He was at home, very nice suburb. Large house, indoor sauna. Well to do family, all nice.
His father and he used to take their 'steams' together on whatever day of the week it was. A little talk, a little catching up ... staying in touch. Well ...
Time came for their sauna that week ... in they go, water at hand, rocks glowing ... except this time ... no conversation between the two. Attempts by the son yield nothing. Minutes pass by ... it gets uncomfortable. The father gets up and slowly walks to the sauna door and opens and exits, leaving the son behind. Seconds later, noise ... loud chains being bumped up against the door ... dragged against it's surface ... and then the snap of locks being closed ... a few ... followed by the father's voice ...

"Goodbye ... Mr. Bond."

Oh, and back to the discussion ... a few other costumes of mine ...

... escaped convict, KKK member; this was one I came to regret, not through any particular incident ... just came to realize that it was neither funny, nor amusing in any way ... Rocky Horror; no, lol, never was brave enough to be Frankenfurter ...

It is Kimberly Bramlett. Kimcande came about as my last name was Candelaria and it was too long, so I abrieviated it to Kimcande. Then my husband last name is Bramlett and Kim Bram didnt sound so great either.

LOL ahh that is a classic about the brother's friend..... i must remebver that one for future reference.

I just bought a new Renaissance dress.And My sister is going to be Danny Fantom. lol. She hard bent on being him too......

LOL, I'm still with Warrior, distracted teen......

I expect to see photos soon, people!!

Dont worry your little socks off Sam, it will be there. lol

I dont have a real costume but I have a black crocheted sweater that looks like a spiderweb all across the shoulders and half way down the front and I have black jeans and candy fang teeth. I need a witches hat. We are going to a party tonight.

Freddy Kruger outfit is ready and waiting.

why dont you go as the clown in your Icon Nick?lol

Im just going in a blue renascence dress with a black and gold cloak and take my sis from door to door

I am being a PIRATE arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh... ;)

I'm a pirate..although people keep mistaking me for a gypsy here at work....my dagger is the only thing that keeps them thinkin pirate.. ;)

thats right. . .let them know who's boss. . .ARRRRRR MATEYS. . .WHERE BE DA BOOTY?

Last night was Trick or treat where I live & we set up a pseudo "Haunted House" at my nephew's place out of a screen tent. We had bats flying at different heights from the ceiling & a sound activated spider that dropped from the ceiling & then climbed up his wire again. We had a fog machine going but unfortuneatly you had to push a button, it wasn't continous & I think my sister-in-law has given me lung cancer. She was having a good time with that thing ! There were witches, 2 singing & dancing skeletons ( sound activated too ), hanging shrunken heads, ( well actually it was a type of wind chime, sound & motion activated, blue lights flashed &the heads shivered & shook ), a giant spider on the ground & aghoul & grim reaper, life size. Then my husband dressed up as another ghoul & stood motionless until the kids started to walk past & then he'd jump & they'd scream. My 31 year old nephew dressed up as Jason ( or whoever wears the hockey mask ) laid on the floor & scared the kids when they came out that side !! My sister-in-law & I were both dressed as witches, I had purple feathers on my witch hat & wore a purple feather boa too. Gotta have style !! I shed feathers all night too...lol. We had a runaway hand that just kept on going out of the tent , it fell off the table we had set up & some kids brought it back to us !! it was like the Energizer bunny.....
Halloween'a blast & for everyone. Or, like mt husband says, " I'll grow older cuz I have to, but no one's gonna make me grow up " !!! Truer words were never spoken.
Have fun tonight everyone !!!

Last night was Trick or treat where I live & we set up a pseudo "Haunted House" at my nephew's place out of a screen tent. We had bats flying at different heights from the ceiling & a sound activated spider that dropped from the ceiling & then climbed up his wire again. We had a fog machine going but unfortuneatly you had to push a button, it wasn't continous & I think my sister-in-law has given me lung cancer. She was having a good time with that thing ! There were witches, 2 singing & dancing skeletons ( sound activated too ), hanging shrunken heads, ( well actually it was a type of wind chime, sound & motion activated, blue lights flashed &the heads shivered & shook ), a giant spider on the ground & aghoul & grim reaper, life size. Then my husband dressed up as another ghoul & stood motionless until the kids started to walk past & then he'd jump & they'd scream. My 31 year old nephew dressed up as Jason ( or whoever wears the hockey mask ) laid on the floor & scared the kids when they came out that side !! My sister-in-law & I were both dressed as witches, I had purple feathers on my witch hat & wore a purple feather boa too. Gotta have style !! I shed feathers all night too...lol. We had a runaway hand that just kept on going out of the tent , it fell off the table we had set up & some kids brought it back to us !! it was like the Energizer bunny.....
Halloween'a blast & for everyone. Or, like mt husband says, " I'll grow older cuz I have to, but no one's gonna make me grow up " !!! Truer words were never spoken.
Have fun tonight everyone !!!

Hope everyone had a great time and until next year we are on to Thanksgiving.

Yep, another of those things we don't have in Australia lol...

I never dressed up, and the last time i trick-or-treated was when I was almost 13..