"For some of us, Halloween is everyday" Tim Burton
In America the excitement is contagious, Halloween has been in the stores and supermarkets for a good month now. You've had the opportunity to think about your costumes, decorations and of course, candy! But what happens with Halloween when you are overseas?
Depending on your location, you could be on a Halloween-friendly country or not. If you are not finding the enthusiasm Halloween deserves here are 5 places where to find it or where you could start a campaign for a new tradition.
1. If you have school age children, most likely Halloween will be celebrated at school in some way or form, a parade or a spooky party. Who doesn't like to dress up and eat candy? This is a great place to volunteer your Halloween cheer.
2. Is work associated with an American/expat company or enterprise? Offices can turn into great spaces for trick-o-treating. Door decorating contest anyone? Or each area could decorate their spaces with a different theme and let employee's children go around asking for candy. It does take asking permission from top management, but it is a great opportunity to bring people together, so pitch your idea and start a new office tradition.
3. Do you live in a building where there are other expats? Maybe you can make the kids trick-or-treat around the building. Or make a map of the Halloween-friendly houses in the neighborhood, grab a flash light and go get that candy!!
4. Trunk-o-treat is another popular way to celebrate, with everyone decorating the trunk of their car and handing out candy. You need to find an open space or parking lot, that's all.
5. If everything fails and you are not finding the Halloween love around you, why not plan a private party at home? If you and your children love dressing up, you can invite some friends and have a good time together.
If you are trick-or-treating out in your neighborhood with the kids, try to avoid negativity by only knocking at the houses that are decorated. Beware that the country where you live may be celebrating another holiday that same day (in Peru October 31st is the night of the creole song, half of the country celebrates Halloween and the other half goes to local music halls to celebrate their music). I was greeted with not so friendly remarks a couple of times (don't take it personal, it's supposed to be a fun day for the kids, ignore and move on) but all an all have had good Halloween fun around the world.
And remember... When witches go riding and black cats are seen, The moon laughs and whisper, 'Tis near Halloween.
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