Halloween in Australia
Around this time every year, all the comments start on social media channels… “Halloween – it’s so American,” “Halloween has nothing to do with Australian culture…”
I think it’s true that Australians do generally think of Halloween as being mainly a North American tradition. Years of watching American TV sitcoms and drama series have certainly gone a long way to convincing us of that. However, as an Australian of Scots heritage, I’m keenly aware that Halloween actually had its origins in the Celtic culture over two thousand years ago. It was known then as the Samhain festival, and was a day on which the Celts believed that the souls of the dead and/or evil spirits could visit the living world and wreak havoc.
Eventually, the Catholic church made 1st November All Saints Day (possibly in an attempt to curb the Pagan Samhain festival) and the day before it became known as Halloween – the eve before All Hallows or All Saints Day.
As Australia has a population made up of people from many ethnic backgrounds, I’m a big supporter of the idea of embracing as much from as many cultures as possible. Our family will have a go with any celebration that sounds like fun!
In recent times, Australian marketers have also jumped on board the Halloween broomstick in a big way. Huge carving pumpkins are available in our supermarkets, and discount stores all sell decorations and costumes.
While perhaps there are still some parts of Australia where Halloween is barely recognised, in my own neighbourhood, there has been a tradition of celebrating Halloween that goes back at least the 20 years that I have lived here.
Many of the houses (our own included) are decorated for the occasion, and great clouds of kids, ranging from tiny toddlers to cheeky teenagers dress up and roam from house to house trick or treating. Our house is particularly known for the Barbie massacre tree installation that our girls invented several years ago. Way to go, traumatising the toddlers, girls!
Last year, around 100 kids came to my front door in small groups. Luckily I was well-prepared with huge bowls of mini-chocolates and wrapped lollies.The kids are generally all polite and well-behaved, and know to take just one item at each house.
I’m not a huge fan of the consumption of confectionary, but as a means to an end, it works well. And that end is the community-building aspect of Halloween. On that one night, neighbours are all out on the streets, chatting as they wander from house to house, accompanying their kids. There is a real cameraderie as families offer tips to one another as to which houses or streets to head to next.
What we have never done (so far) is to host a grown-up party for after the trick or treating. But having seen the great Halloween themed cocktail ideas and party food in the following posts, I’m very tempted. I’m sure I could dig out a suitably spooky costume to wear.
- Halloween cocktails for your eyes only at Mr and Mrs Romance
- Party inspiration: A Spooky Soiree at Pretty Mayhem
How is Halloween celebrated in your neighbourhood?
