When I was a kid, I remember maybe 1 or 2 houses per neighborhood decorated like haunted houses. Now it seems like they are everywhere I look! Do people see Halloween as the new Christmas, as far as decorating is concerned? Is it falling into the commercialism of the season as well? Or is that all it ever was?
It also seems like it used to be a day for only the kids to dress up & have fun, now it seems more adults are getting into the action & dressing up in costumes and partying more than kids are. Hmmm.. Why is that?
2006-10-28 10:45:11 · 9 answers · asked by julie j 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Halloween
I agree it is getting out of hand. There are more and more decorations coming out all the time. People do as much for Halloween as they do for Christmas. As for adults its just another excuse to get together and get drunk. Its all just a way big business can cash in on peoples love of lights and decorations.that all.
2006-10-28 11:05:31 · answer #1 · answered by richard b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our culture these days is leaning towards a tendency to "overdecorate". I think part of it is fashion, part of it is technology (some of the lighting devices available now were unavailable to the general public even 10 years ago), and part of it is a need in the face of such sad headlines and daily world events to inject a little cheer into our lives.
It's nothing new; carnivals, fiestas and general gaudy merrymaking have been with us throughout the ages and seem to find their peak in times of cultural and political stress.
The Romans had their "bread and circuses" for the people and lavish, excessive banquets for the nobility; plague-torn folks in the Middle Ages had their Passion play festivals and street faires; pre-Revolution France had masquerade balls; 1930's Berlin had cabarets and now we have 20-foot lighted inflatable Frankensteins in front yards and adults dressed in $200 costumes.
Hallowe'en is relatively safe as a celebration politically and culturally because it doesn't generate the heated religious arguments of Christmas. Yes, self-righteous folks can drag "devils" and "witches" into it as an argument against all the worldly revelry, but the argument may be just as fairly made that it's all for fun. We seem to need more mindless fun these days.
Harmful? Probably not. Commercially driven? Undoubtedly. As a commentary on current culture, though, the escapist aspect of it is certainly interesting.
2006-10-28 18:03:57 · answer #2 · answered by sparticle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you can compare commercializing Halloween with the commercialization of, say, Christmas or Mothers' Day. After all, Halloween was never a religious or a sentimental holiday. I laugh at people who still think of it as Pagan. There's no longer an evil association with Halloween; it's about fun and candy and fantasy! I love that older kids and even grownups put on costumes now. As far as going overboard with decorations, I think it's great. People are really creative, whether its with hay bales and scarecrows, or spookier "tombstones" and giant cobwebs. I know seeing these displays makes me feel like a kid again!
2006-10-28 17:55:59 · answer #3 · answered by Holly 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I almost forgot Halloween was almost here since Christmas stuff is everywhere. I haven't seen much decorating. But I know one house goes all out for it but never for Christmas. hmmmm scary for sure. And yes I think the adults enjoy more so than the kids.
2006-10-28 17:49:33 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember the only way you knew that someone wanted halloweeners was because they left their porch light on!. I think people are just so bored with their everyday hum drum lives that they look forward to ANYTHING- hence the gawdy decorations for halloween- we actually have our new stations filming "the most haunted houses" and airing them on TV! (Yes, I do live in hicksville). And yes, Mardis Gras for adults in late October has become the newest in thing to do. Don't forget the fact that we have a large population of cults and devil worshipers who DO believe this is their Christmas!
2006-10-28 17:57:00 · answer #5 · answered by mac 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it's just another reason for a party and keeping up with the 'Jones' . But i know what you mean theres hawds of chanting youths around my house 'we want more' sounded like their was about 30 of them, terrifying!
2006-10-28 17:51:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i guess you have to give the parents a break..they usually follow their child or children around to make sure they don't get in trouble or mess around, when it's not that they have to fuss around to make thanks giving dinner n when children help, it's such a mess, if it not that, christmas, children want toys, clothes, n the newest eletronics so they have to spend money, wait in line just to make their child happy and halloween the parents get to have fun with their child n they want to make the best out of it
2006-10-28 17:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by Sugar Cookie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't really know but everyone likes to dress up and have an excuse for it.
2006-10-28 17:48:07 · answer #8 · answered by ImKindaHungry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any old excuse for a p***-up!
2006-10-28 17:49:22 · answer #9 · answered by dot&carryone. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋