Is Halloween getting too big?

The shop I now work in has an abundance of products for Halloween. Costumes, witches hats, broomsticks, bats, cauldrons etc etc etc. We're doing a magnificent trade.

A kid in the queue was talking to his mum and said "I think Halloween is my favourite time of the year - oh yes. And Christmas".

When I was a kid (go on!) it was very low key and has gradually got more and more commercial. I used to think the kids coming door to door were annoying and would ignore them.

You're probably thinking I'm a killjoy (OK, I am a bit!) but I'm concerned at its growth.

I know in Ireland it's a public holiday. How long before that happens here?

(Waits for the avalanche of criticism!)

Quote: Chappers @ October 29 2009, 6:25 PM BST

I know in Ireland it's a public holiday. How long before that happens here?

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Really? The luck of the Irish! If it gets me another paid day off work I'm all for it.

I'd love it to be a bank holiday!

I like Halloween, it signals that it's time to start looking forward to Christmas, to me. And it's fun, innit.

It's mental spasmo ludocrasy. Or something.

I personally find it all a bit tiresome and pathetic.

Quote: Aaron @ October 29 2009, 6:40 PM BST

It's mental spasmo ludocrasy. Or something.

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Quote: zooo @ October 29 2009, 6:36 PM BST

I'd love it to be a bank holiday!

I like Halloween, it signals that it's time to start looking forward to Christmas, to me. And it's fun, innit.

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Quote: Aaron @ October 29 2009, 6:40 PM BST

It's mental spasmo ludocrasy. Or something.

I personally find it all a bit tiresome and pathetic.

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Sees some sort of row brewing!

*sadly packs away her trick or treat outfit, with a tear in her eye*

Quote: zooo @ October 29 2009, 6:59 PM BST

*sadly packs away her trick or treat outfit, with a tear in her eye*

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Did he hit you?

I'll get the bastard!

Yes!

It's American.

We have Bonfire Night - just a week after. Than should be "our" event.

We're moving house tomorrow (during half term). My kids want a halloween party on Saturday as we promised them long before we knew we were moving.

Grrrrr!

Quote: bigfella @ October 29 2009, 7:04 PM BST

Yes!

It's American.

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But as usual with American things it's taking over.

Quote: bigfella @ October 29 2009, 7:04 PM BST

We have Bonfire Night - just a week after. Than should be "our" event.

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Will that disappear do you think?

Quote: bigfella @ October 29 2009, 7:04 PM BST

We have Bonfire Night - just a week after. Than should be "our" event.

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I too prefer Bonfire Night, it was far the more popular event when I was a kid. What could be more fun than burning an effigy of a treasonous Catholic?

Doubtless we will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving and the 4th of July.

Halloween isn't going to affect Guy Fawkes. Bloody hell it's not like the squirrels.

Quote: Chappers @ October 29 2009, 7:04 PM BST

Did he hit you?

I'll get the bastard!

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Ha!

Quote: zooo @ October 29 2009, 7:11 PM BST

Halloween isn't going to affect Guy Fawkes. Bloody hell it's not like the squirrels.

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Isn't it? Are you sure about that?

Besides, as Halloween is originally a Pagan festival, Britain basically owns the copyright anyway.