Halloween - The Bear and Badger

Wookienopants

My kids loved it last night, my wife invited a few of their school friends over for "spooky picnic" which was mostly themed party foods followed by us trapsing about town with their friends and parents in tow. Was quite good fun, lots of kids out and about and everyone smiling and laughing. All observing the "only houses with decorations rule" and some of the houses nearby really went to town, often opening the door in costume and play acting for the kids. Was really lovely.

Time_on_my_hands

davyK wrote:

When I was a kid in the 70s, Halloween was a big thing in NI and I always considered it an Irish thing. The next day is a Holy day (All Saints day) which might explain that since we are mostly religious maniacs over here. I don't remember it even getting much of a mention on the national news until later years. It was all about 5th Nov in England back then.

Turnip lanterns were the thing (and a hell of a lot more work than pumpkins) The apple seems to feature in Halloween too - possibly harkening back to a post harvest celebration. Apple tarts (not pies) with coins inside them, bobbing for apples, toffee/candied apples all featured as part of the celebration. Monkey nuts (unshelled peanuts) were also part of the fayre.

Kids went around the doors but the phrase "trick or treat" wasn't mentioned.

I always felt that America had pinched it off us.

Fireworks weren't a part of it since they are banned during the troubles. We were reduced to using sparklers, bengal matches and the like. The infamous "indoor fireworks" provided an annual disappointment.

I wonder if the large numbers of Irish immigrants in the US are responsible for the big Halloween celebrations there?

Oddly enough, my Twitter feed today has lots of turnip jack o lantern posts with images. You could do a really good relief sculpture on a turnip, but pumpkins definitely allow for easier shading/ grades of illumination when carving.

Kow

Yeah, Halloween clearly went to the US with the mass immigrations from Ireland beginning in the mid 19th century.

davyK

Yup. An Irish export / immigration thing.

dynamiteReady

I hate Halloween. The missus loves it though, so I was forced into carving a pumpkin.
Nothing remarkable, but it killed an hour.

Still haven't learnt how to take proper photos in the dark.

Raiziel

Nothing remarkable, he says. That’s absolutely brilliant, dynamite.

bad_hair_day

Far too modest dyna, tis a pumpin’ job.

davyK

Holy shit. That's proper talent right there.

Kow

Oh, it's a bird. I couldn't see what it was. That's not a criticism of the job, just my eyesight.

g.man

Aye, that's very impressive mate.

dynamiteReady

Thanks guys. :]

Kow wrote:

Oh, it's a bird. I couldn't see what it was. That's not a criticism of the job, just my eyesight.

One or two people were confused by what it was, which was why I was questioning it. I think it's because everyone expects to see spooky stuff on a pumpkin. X'D

Will do something more appropriate if I get the chance next year. Need to learn to be more tidy/precise too.

mk64

some of the pumpkins which are near my house are basically professional level. Absolute scenes i tell you. There's also a house three roads away which has a 6 foot spider on the wall of the house. It's terrifying.

Need to stop buying tat stuff and invest in something themed. I'm thinking skulls and I could spray paint them. Had a motion sensor skull from sainbury's poking through a halloweeen themed wreath last night on the door which scared a few kids

Wookienopants

I was playing with the idea of creating a "Peppers Ghost" illusion in my lounge window for the neighbourhood kids. Just didnt get the time this year, what with house purchase, selling and packing up all stuff in the house and countless runs to the recycling plant.

Next year in our new place I'll have some great stuff planned.

davyK

Some years we make an effort. Have a large box of decent spooks and decorations etc. Couldnt be arsed this year....had a themed welcome mat outside the front door and 2 plastic pumpkins (which look quite realistic) with half knackered batteries in them. But it was enough to let callers know we were participating.

Wifey noted our efforts so will do more next year.

bad_hair_day

Made an effort this year.

Sitting by a fire for hours has it’s own rewards plus spooked a few of the little buggers too.

Wookienopants

bad_hair_day wrote:

Made an effort this year. Sitting by a fire for hours has it’s own rewards plus spooked a few of the little buggers too.

Thats brilliant. Trust you

davyK

That's an effort.

bad_hair_day

Thanks chaps, the skeletal spider on the steps (bone in mouth) surrounded what looks like bog roll are cobwebs. Fortunately it was a tad windy which made them sway quite nicely.

Paul the sparky

Looks like you've lost a bit of weight, glad to see you're still smiling though

bad_hair_day

A little black dress always works wonders.

Matt_82

Aye that's great. Nice work.

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