Thread: British Hallowen

Tweet

Reading some of the posts it sounds like there are a few of you who are/were in my situation. Love Halloween and we move to the UK where it's not really celebrated (at least in our village). Regardless of that fact, after trick or treating with our kids, we got about 12 trick or treaters at our door (only half in costume) looking for some treats. We only had a few kleenex ghosts in the windows and a couple paper decorations in the windows but still heard the doorbell ring (glad we had some candy on hand!)

My thought is to do some decorating this year (since we're the weird Americans anyway). I'm looking for some advice as to what to do for decorations. I was going with a witch theme (as there is some history with that in our village) but now am thinking that would be too much of a shock and probably get some very bad rap. What do/did some of you decorate like for Halloween when over here?

Wow, think of how much you could really do with that 'weird Americans' title! Definetly play it up - show 'em how it's done. Is there a yard where you're staying? Maybe a classic graveyard, with lights and sound. Would be cool to have a crank ghost flying back and forth overhead. You'll have to break your neighbors in!

Wasn't Dracula's Carfax Abbey supposed to be in England?
There is so much bloody, strange, real history in England that maybe nobody gets around to celebrating fictional creatures?

Hi bayoubrigh,

I lived in England for eight years and know exactly how you feel.

We were in a small village in south Warwickshire and I was the token weird American (hubs is English...)

I decorated a lot. I put silhouettes in the windows, gravestones on the front lawn, warning signs ("condemned" "Keep out") ghosts and skeletons hanging from the trees, screaming door mats and jol's.

As our house sat quite prominently and very visibly on the road, cars used to come to a complete halt when passing by - to the utter irritation of many people in the village, lol.

The big thing though was inside for the parties. We had a large circle of friends who graciously attended my parties - in costume.

We did get the village kids tot'ing but as you've discovered, it's not quite the same. Sometimes, we had older kids ring the door a few days early, not even in costume.

Since tot'ing isn't quite the same for the kids, I had little parties for my son. When he was older and in school, I helped to rganized a party there too. If you send your kids out tot'ing, keep in mind it's not common place and people are not prepared, sitting around with bowls of candy. It's frowned upon by many people - some won't open the door at all and those that do, will then scramble around looking for something... I always contacted my neighbors ahead I knew well ahead of time - then when my son was in school, i took him to that village as there were more children and tot'ing was more popular there.

Overall, the holiday is gaining some popularity there, but mostly with kids and as a niche interest in adults. Living there and not being able to purchase lots of stuff in stores is what ignited me making my own decorations... now that I'm back in the US, I still enjoy making things...

And when we were moving, numerous neighbors and friends in the village told me "What are we going to do at Halloween? It won't be the same without you!" Ironically, I get surges of emails from friends in England the end of October: "Hi - I was in the shops, saw a JOL and thought about you...."

So, set forth and put your mark on the the holiday and have fun ! People will enjoy your efforts and those who don't are miserable sods anyway!

Thanks for the encouragement everyone - I had to leave nearly everything back in the states and without the BX wouldn't have any store decorations. I've seen a couple Blucky's at the stores for about 12 pounds - which translates to about $25!!!! So it's home made for me also.

Ms. Wicked, thanks so much for your insight, our kids TOT on base, but inviting the neighbors to a party would be a good way to introduce some Halloween fun. Our village has a witch riding a broomstick on top of the clock tower so I figure it's a sign to add some Halloween fun to that special night.

It sounds like your in for quite a challenge.
Don't let the nay sayers get you down! Get friends & neighbors involved in your planning. You would be surprised how things catch on with a little encouragement.
The Witch theme tie in sounds intriguing. Do some research on it & try to incorporate elements into your designs & party. Just may start a new tradition, never know. hehehe
If god forbid it doesn't workout, at least you tried & didn't give up. This could bring on a following too, to do better. It only takes one person to inspire many!

Keep us posted

Haunty