Getting ready?

 

This was one house in our village yesterday. I think they take Halloween seriously!

Black Friday sceptic

In recent years we appear to have adopted this American sales date in the UK.  I cannot speak for the rest of Europe. Like Halloween, which was nothing years ago in the UK, this has grown enormously.

The common factor is commercialism. Anything that can help retailers make a profit must now be exploited. Research has shown that retailers often raise prices in the months before Black Friday so we think we are getting a real bargain in the Black Friday sales. I expect there are some exceptions, but do not be fooled. This is ultimately about making profits over a longer period and selling more Black Friday and Halloween merchandise.

As a child I had never heard about Halloween "trick or treat". In my view both Black Friday and making profits from Halloween both stink.

Spooky?

This year, Halloween seems to have come early. 

The cynic in me says this is all about making more money, but the kids enjoy the fun. 

Our grandchildren loved it, but they are now too old: they enjoyed carving a pumpkin and playing silly games.

This was the decoration outside a house locally. 

Early Halloween?

This was a shop window in our village earlier this week. It looks like this is a Halloween display. Personally, I think it is far too early.

Halloween party - NOT amateur radio

 

As our grandchildren had to go home just after lunch, we had a Halloween party last night. 

Wicked times - NOT amateur radio

All our grandchildren love Halloween with the dressing up, the silly party games and the food. As they go home tomorrow, we are having the party tonight instead.

Halloween - NOT amateur radio

When younger we hardly celebrated Halloween. Sadly, in recent years, the shops have seen another opportunity to take our money and Halloween has become commercialised.  The new god is profit.

I have little problem with youngsters having fun (my grandchildren love it), but I do object to the commercialisation. I know some object on religious grounds, but to me it is just an excuse for youngsters to dress up and have fun.

Early Halloween - NOT amateur radio

As our "London" grandchildren came up to stay this week, we had an early Halloween party with silly games they just love! Here is our elder granddaughter playing the chocolate game.

Early Halloween party - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I mentioned that school starts again before Halloween, so an early party at Granny and Grampy was called for. We had this tonight along with silly games. They still love it, although we know these days will soon pass.

Well nearly - NOT amateur radio

Halloween is next week when our grandchildren are back at school. So, tomorrow we are having an early Halloween party. Our granddaughter decided to try her hat today!

Halloween - NOT amateur radio

Call me a killjoy if you like,  but I think Halloween has been commercilised here in the UK. A few years ago Halloween was nothing special. Now, it is BIG business. Tills are ringing and we are all sucked in. No, the prime reason it is now so big is MONEY and PROFITS, pure and simple. It stinks.

"London" grandchildren have gone home - NOT amateur radio

Riding bikes near the windmill

Our "London" grandchildren went home this afternoon. As with all our little grandchildren, we love having them. Sadly, my stroke of 2 years ago means I can do less with them than I would have done in the past. Nonetheless, they had a great time.  They enjoyed Halloween and played silly, simple, games.  Today they enjoyed riding bikes in our quiet close.

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We have our young "London" grandchildren here for a few days. "We always spend Halloween at Granny's". Hide and seek in the dark, pumpkins, blind man's buff, cooking, Halloween hats etc. These days it has become very commercialised sadly, but we will do our best to give them a good time. My health is not as good as it could be.

Halloween is the eve of All Hallows Day (All Saints Day). Some believe the celebration of Halloween dates back to Pagan times.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween .