Halloween Celebrations Today
Concerns about the celebration of Halloween festivities today in the modern world have led to some changes, though it remains a popular celebration. Halloween is especially popular in Ireland, where it gave rise to a public holiday, and in most parts of America. Also, Halloween has become another very important day in the commercial promotions calendar.
In England, the community bon fire tradition at Halloween mostly moved to the November 5th Guy Fawkes celebrations long ago, and has largely faded elsewhere in the face of environmental concerns. Similarly, the traditional community games and fun associated with Halloween have faded in most parts of the world. Health concerns expressed about games like bobbing for apples are a sign of modern attitudes; but the alternative forms of entertainment now available, such as watching horror movies on DVD at home, have probably had a much greater influence on the decline. With such changes, the purpose of the door-to-door collection has long shifted from gathering fruit and other items to use in the community fun activities, to collections of sweets, candy and money for personal gain.
Some modern adults find the begging connotation uncomfortable, especially the suggestion of stand over tactics by threatening a trick if gifts are not given. On the other hand, some home owners go out of their way to make the collection a fun event for the children in their community. They will decorate their homes, stock up on sweets and small change, and even play along with the Halloween theme with sound effects and other ways to create a scary atmosphere. There is no denying that many children love the fun of dressing up and the "loot" they gather.
The safety of children moving from door-to-door to collect sweets and gifts from strangers in large city communities worries many parents and authorities. In some communities there is supervision and even a move to set up controlled environments where the collection takes place. As a sign of the times, even health issues have been raised about the handling and safety of unwrapped sweets. Charity fund raising involvement has cut back in the face of these concerns becoming more widespread, for example a long running UNICEF fund raising scheme centered on Halloween collections was cut back in 2006.
In some parts of the world the trick aspect to Halloween has unfortunately led to vandalism taking the place of minor mischief or witty pranks, and has given Halloween another less attractive image.
For these reasons, the fresh arrival of Halloween as a pop culture fad has been unwelcome in some communities that have not previously shared in the tradition.
The commercialization of Halloween, especially in America, is a twentieth century phenomenon. There is now a large market for Halloween costumes, decorations and entertainment; and the sale of greeting cards, sweets and candies now reaches a distinct peak around Halloween time, only ranking after Christmas and Easter in importance to retailers.
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On the one hand the future of the door-to-door trick or treating traditions of Halloween may become confined to safer small community neighborhoods; and the notion of the Halloween trick is being discouraged because of abuse. On the other hand, organized entertainment around the Halloween theme for people of all ages seems to be going from strength to strength. Halloween theme costume parties, both commercially organized and private, have gained in popularity and will no doubt keep the Halloween traditions alive for many years to come.
Simple Halloween Costume Ideas
Easy Halloween costumes no longer need to follow the traditional themes of witches, zombies and goblins. Today, children are less concerned about following the traditions than about dressing up to have fun. Many of the bought or hired costumes head down the super hero or movie character path. Instead, it's possible to create unique and imaginative Halloween costumes without going to the expense of buying or hiring professionally made costumes. A few old clothes, a creative choice of accessories, some make up, a touch of originality and exaggeration, and you are all set. Let's look at some easy ideas.
Start with just an old white coat. If you can get hold of an old stethoscope, or make something like it up with some tubing, you are well on your way to looking like a doctor. Add a red cross to the coat with some fabric paint, and make up the face with a mustache and some face paint to look like an older man. Somebody in the family might have an old x-ray photograph revealing bones that could be carried. Add a clip board and a treat bag or pail.
You could start with another old white coat, and turn your character into a mad scientist or a geeky nerd using the same approach, with relevant accessories like a stack of pens in the pocket and some make up. The mad scientist could wear a wig to resemble Einstein and the geek could wear a propellor hat. Let your imagination run riot.
A princess outfit can also start with a low cost basic item of clothing, in this case a dress with simple elegant lines, not necessarily full length, and dress shoes. By concentrating on adding copious quantities of sparkling "jewels" in a tiara or crown, necklace, brooch, rings and perhaps a wand, and giving close attention to make up, you will soon have a gorgeous princess look. Silver foil and stick-on shiny artificial gemstones and beads are low cost ways of creating exaggerated jewelry. A brand name shopping bag would make an appropriate treat bag.
Old and worn dark clothes, such as an old suit, combined with face paint, can be used to create a hobo costume. Sew or stick on some patches, create a few rips and fraying edges, and add an old felt hat - possibly even a Charley Chaplin cane (or perhaps a bottle wrapped in a paper bag in the jacket pocket). Face paint to reflect this tired, dirty and weather beaten character would round out the effect.
Clothes from an earlier generation found in a family wardrobe or thrift shop can be used to create old man or old lady characters. Most of the effort would go into making up the faces and hair to create the aged look. A walking stick for the old man and an old-style handbag for the lady add appropriate accessories.
Easy Halloween costumes starting with simple old clothes combined with make up and accessories can also be used to create the look of earlier decades, such hippies in the 60s. Perhaps choose a photograph of a pop star from the past, like Elvis, as your inspiration.
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