rsmurphy wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 12:31 pm Is it more just a commercial holiday where you live or were there deeper implications into why it was never celebrated?

To the second part: probably not, to the first part: pretty much.

There is however (I just found out) a church holiday called "All Saint's Day" (or "All Hallow's Day") on Nov 1, which has a longer history. Apparently among some it's been custom on this day to visit graves and place candles. Not something I have encountered personally.

rsmurphy wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 2:18 pm

zorg wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 1:50 pm They didn't celebrate Halloween ANYWHERE outside of the US (maybe Canada?) until a few years ago....well because it was US specific.

Weird being it started out as a Gaelic festival or am I missing something?

If any Celts wish to chime in about Samhain, I'd also be curious, but as I know it, while it had origins in European harvest festivals, it was never formalized as a recognizable thing. I don't know of any Halloween celebrated in Europe nowadays other than imported American Halloween being introduced recently.

Samhain (learn how to pronounce it to avoid embarrassment) is the day after Halloween, btw. They are linked, though, because it's one of those festivals that Christians repurposed. In this case as All Saints' Day (and Halloween is the eve of All Saints' Day).

I like Halloween, but not living in the US presumably makes it less oppressive. When else can you celebrate the murder of sexually active teens and not be judged?

Halloween is cool, but I'd rather not be home with the trick-or-treaters come. The doorbell ringing always startles me. My wife and I usually hang out with friends who have kids and they all go get candy and we sit around and drink and eat and hand out candy to whomever comes around.

I'm seeing Wolf Eyes and a few other bands tonight. I'm excited, I've never seen them before and have wanted to.

zircona1 wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 2:52 pm The doorbell ringing always startles me.
I'm seeing Wolf Eyes

that seems a strange dichotomy.

penningtron wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 11:49 am Halloween is Not Crap, but people overdo it. I don't need 15 activities within a 2-3 week span. One night is fine.

This

zorg wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 3:01 pm

zircona1 wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 2:52 pm The doorbell ringing always startles me.
I'm seeing Wolf Eyes

that seems a strange dichotomy.

Outside of music or anti-music loud noises bother me. Door slamming pisses me off and loud screaming children need thimblefuls of jäger. Take that noise home.

i'm curious how much people are spending on candy this year. i'm seeing reports of sticker shock but i expect that from target/walmart normies.

hbiden@onlyfans.com wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 4:54 pm i'm curious how much people are spending on candy this year.

We have more than enough for whomever comes 'round. The gist is . . . given the way that so many things are strained and scaled back these days, if someone comes knocking here on Halloween, then they should get some treats. Kit Kats, PayDays, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Seems right.

if you run out of candy before say 9:00, i hope your castle is defended.