Thread: anyone have weird traditions for Halloween?

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Just wondering if anyone has certain traditions... we recently started to burn food for spirits, we'd grabs a few food things and burn it for the souls. Anyone else do anything like that for halloween?

Growing up our tradition was on Halloween night to lock the doors, turn out the lights and then sit in the dark til the next day, ignoring any ToTs..... but now that I'm in college I'm looking for something like that above, sounds interesting.

I've always wanted to do something on Halloween but it always involved depending on others for help. Guess what? I can't depend on anyone. I might have to miss out a little this year but I'll be ready with something next year. Perhaps I'll be influenced by some ideas in this thread.

Originally Posted by ChangedReality

Growing up our tradition was on Halloween night to lock the doors, turn out the lights and then sit in the dark til the next day, ignoring any ToTs..... but now that I'm in college I'm looking for something like that above, sounds interesting.

Lol. That's kinda what we did after I got too big to go ToT-ing.

We did have a sort of unconventional "Tradition" at the house where I raised my two now adult children. Our neighbor was a old fellow, a retired Railroad worker and widowed. He was living on pensions and every nickel counted, I guess. So, after we moved in next door and started this "Hallowe'en Mania", it put him on the spot. Living right next door to an anual Attraction, he was inundated with TOT's. He'd turn all his lights out, hoping the kids would stay away, but you know how determined they can be. I felt bad thinking about Old Bob, holed up in his house, kids climbing up those darkened steps, with him inside listening to knocking, the doorbell and plaintive cries of "Trick or Treat!" So one year my son and I went out just before the Big Night and bought him a whole mess of candy, fifty bucks worth, if I recall. My boy brought it over to Bob's place and he was almost moved to tears. That November 1st, while I was taking down the Graveyard, he couldn't thank me enough. He said he really appreciated the chance to enjoy Hallowe'en again. Bringing candy to Bob became something of a Tradition with us.

Originally Posted by Wolfman

We did have a sort of unconventional "Tradition" at the house where I raised my two now adult children. Our neighbor was a old fellow, a retired Railroad worker and widowed. He was living on pensions and every nickel counted, I guess. So, after we moved in next door and started this "Hallowe'en Mania", it put him on the spot. Living right next door to an anual Attraction, he was inundated with TOT's. He'd turn all his lights out, hoping the kids would stay away, but you know how determined they can be. I felt bad thinking about Old Bob, holed up in his house, kids climbing up those darkened steps, with him inside listening to knocking, the doorbell and plaintive cries of "Trick or Treat!" So one year my son and I went out just before the Big Night and bought him a whole mess of candy, fifty bucks worth, if I recall. My boy brought it over to Bob's place and he was almost moved to tears. That November 1st, while I was taking down the Graveyard, he couldn't thank me enough. He said he really appreciated the chance to enjoy Hallowe'en again. Bringing candy to Bob became something of a Tradition with us.

Awww that's such a nice story and such a nice thing to do. Being a good neighbor, taking care of a senior, as well as making it even more fun for the kids? And teaching your son that in the process? You rock, Wolfman.

That is a fabulous thing to do. I often wonder when I take my kids trick or treating how many people have lights off (other than those who are out and about like myself) because they don't want to participate, or because really they can't afford to (especially those who are elderly and this year with the economy). Candy can get really expensive sometimes I can only imagine how much it costs for those who have 1000's of tots

Originally Posted by Wolfman

We did have a sort of unconventional "Tradition" at the house where I raised my two now adult children. Our neighbor was a old fellow, a retired Railroad worker and widowed. He was living on pensions and every nickel counted, I guess. So, after we moved in next door and started this "Hallowe'en Mania", it put him on the spot. Living right next door to an anual Attraction, he was inundated with TOT's. He'd turn all his lights out, hoping the kids would stay away, but you know how determined they can be. I felt bad thinking about Old Bob, holed up in his house, kids climbing up those darkened steps, with him inside listening to knocking, the doorbell and plaintive cries of "Trick or Treat!" So one year my son and I went out just before the Big Night and bought him a whole mess of candy, fifty bucks worth, if I recall. My boy brought it over to Bob's place and he was almost moved to tears. That November 1st, while I was taking down the Graveyard, he couldn't thank me enough. He said he really appreciated the chance to enjoy Hallowe'en again. Bringing candy to Bob became something of a Tradition with us.

that was awesome

Wolfman, I loved your story! It was so sweet

In the first week of October my mum and I always watch "Hocus Pocus" to get us into the spirit. Then the weekend before halloween, I head down to Portsmouth to see my folks and especially my niece, who I am converting into a little halloweenie (she's 5). We get dressed up and I do halloween arts and crafts with her. Last year I taught her how to make JOLs, pom pom spiders and origami bats and on the night before Halloween, my OH and I will always carve pumpkins together,

On the actual night, I try to be a good Pagan and remember to light two small black and orange altar candles and put a cake and some wine outside for the 'little people'. If possible I will do it at midnight, or whenever people have all gone home! This year I will also be honouring the members of my family who have passed on, as part of my Day of the Dead theme I will be building an Ofrenda in my hallway and inviting guests to bring along a photograph or offering for anyone they wish to honour, if they wish to join in.

Normally every year I watch a horror movie every night of Oct, since getting married and having a wife who really doesn't enjoy horror movies; however she does like zombies now. It's changed to Halloween movies also like Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus, I also read the Ray Bradbury's Halloween tree every year.

I celebrate my wedding anniversary with my hubby.


We take the day off from work (if it's a weekday) get up early and complete the major setup of our display minus the delicate props, go have lunch at some awesome place, and then come home and take a nap and complete setup in time for the first TOTs.