Shops have been predominantly filled with two things in recent days – Halloween costumes and Christmas decorations – and this raises many concerns.
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First of all, can we at least wait until we are a bit closer to Christmas to be bombarded by carols in shopping centres and nativities?
It feels far too soon to be thinking about Christmas. Oh wait, it’s November? Where did 2017 go?
Second, why do Halloween decorations have a presence on Australian shelves?
Halloween is a time-honoured tradition from the United Kingdom and United States that looks like fun in movies as children venture out with their parents to trick or treat.
The history, while often lost while children succumb to their sugar high, has cultural significance in those nations.
But in Australia, it’s nothing but a parent trap.
It’s a way for businesses to con parents into spending money on costumes and lollies.
Don’t get us wrong, we are not complete party poopers.
We love a good dress-up and will take any excuse to gorge ourselves on sugar.
We definitely see the appeal of it.
But should we recognise an occasion that forces us to spend money yet has no cultural significance in this country?
Stores have been actively encouraging this by putting decorations, bags of lollies and costumes in prominent positions that cannot be missed as your enter the premise.
Our children participate in Halloween but have no real idea why or where the tradition came from.
They wear costumes their parents brought or lovingly made all the while cursing America’s influence on their children.
And when those little ones come knocking at the door dressed as Marvel heroes or Disney princesses (costumes that don’t even fit in with the Halloween theme) does anyone ever actually choose trick?
No. We hand over the treats and the stage is set for a return next year.
And for those of us opposed to the event, we spend the night locked inside hoping no one knocks on the door and we aren’t forced to scrounge around the pantry for treats.
We don’t celebrate America’s Independence Day on July 4, their Flag Day on July 14 or Thanksgiving in November so why should Halloween be any different?
It is scary how Halloween has tricked its way into our culture.
