Halloween.

[Chippy_Tea]

The PC numpties are now saying kids shouldn't have scars on their faces when they dress up in case it upsets people in real life who have facial disfigurement.

Why don't we ban people dressing up as father Christmas in case it offends fellow fat *******s?

.

 

[Bigcol49]

Bi!
Why don't the PC numpties just shut the foot up?

 

[MyQul]

Halloween has just morphed into yet another Americanized commercial opportunity for shops to flog us stuff

 

[brumbrew]

I did see a good recipe for pig in a pumpkin though.

Pork shoulder seasoned
Browned
Hollow out a pumpkin
Stuff the meat inside
Fill it with cider
Roast

Looked great!

Bobbing for pork.

 

[ITMA]

Halloween has just morphed into yet another Americanized commercial opportunity for shops to flog us stuff

Yep. A few years ago - risking sounding like a third rate comic - Christmas really was getting earlier and earlier each year, with most shops starting around mid-October.

That's stopped now.

My theory is that they realised that moving any further back was pushing the sheeple so far, so they needed a different excuse to sell **** and generally pump more cash out of us. Hence the elevation of Halloween.

First thing on November 1 the Halloween displays will be in the bin and they'll have wheeled out the Christmas ****.

 

[brumbrew]

Yep. A few years ago - risking sounding like a third rate comic - Christmas really was getting earlier and earlier each year, with most shops starting around mid-October.

That's stopped now.

My theory is that they realised that moving any further back was pushing the sheeple so far, so they needed a different excuse to sell **** and generally pump more cash out of us. Hence the elevation of Halloween.

First thing on November 1 the Halloween displays will be in the bin and they'll have wheeled out the Christmas ****.

My local tesco has already got the Christmas branded chocolate tubs on the top shelves just waiting to come down to eye level.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
Any Easter eggs spotted, yet?

 

[DavidDetroit]

I don't know when most holidays occur but if one is inclined, they can keep track of them here by walking into almost any store.

 

[Gunge]

You think you've got it bad with all this Halloween crapola.... it's also the missus' birthday. Furthermore, she wants me to take her to see that film about Freddie bleedin' Mercury. Christ. At least I should evade the trick or treaters.

 

[ITMA]

My local tesco has already got the Christmas branded chocolate tubs on the top shelves just waiting to come down to eye level.

Good point. My local boozer had a Christmas tree up, fully decorated, three weeks ago. "Book Now For Christmas" was the cheery command adorning it.

I won't be back in, luckily a microboozer just opened up the road and they don't have room for a tree.

 

[brumbrew]

You think you've got it bad with all this Halloween crapola.... it's also the missus' birthday. Furthermore, she wants me to take her to see that film about Freddie bleedin' Mercury. Christ. At least I should evade the trick or treaters.

Sounds like a better trade. Our local trick or treaters just want money. It's like a night of organised protection racketeering.

Few years back I just answered the door wearing a boiler suit covered in what appeared to be blood. Told them I was 'busy' the didn't knock again.

 

[brumbrew]

Good point. My local boozer had a Christmas tree up, fully decorated, three weeks ago. "Book Now For Christmas" was the cheery command adorning it.

I won't be back in, luckily a microboozer just opened up the road and they don't have room for a tree.

Funny you say that. Me and swmbo went out Saturday afternoon for lunch at a local country pub. Same affair. Was also handed a Christmas menu with all the book now garb.

 

[DavidDetroit]

My street doesn't do trick or treaters anymore. In my area, at least, the kids go to different parts of town or the suburbs. The local news has scared the parents enough so they either do that or have parties in a community center.

As far as politically correct costumes, I wasn't aware that there were any. I dressed up as a vampire ages ago and I offended a whole group of people with pointy teeth.
The teeth were great though, seriously; I bought ones that matched well in color and you could glue them on temporarily. First and only time I dressed up after I was thirteen. Had to drink my beer through a straw so that wasn't awesome. And I got a great, long-haired, black wig. Something to behold.
In any case, I'm not for maximizing profit from normally harmless fun holidays.

 

[DavidDetroit]

Americanized commercial opportunity

Should the US get credit for commercializing Halloween in the UK? I would have guessed it's the businesses there going overboard and trying to make extra money.

I am asking and not arguing.

I don't actually know but I thought the US would have minor to no influence on things like that.
Thanks.

 

[MrRook]

Hi!
Any Easter eggs spotted, yet?

They're right next to the Valentine day's crap.

 

[Clint]

I think the pc lot should invest in the Alf Garnet box set and crack a smile...get pissed and cook a curry.
Bunch of top hats....

 

[AdeDunn]

We love Halloween, or Samhain as we call it....

That, and it's also one of our daughter's birthdays... Oh, and tomorrow it's our weeding anniversary...

So happy Samhain Grinches! As to the PC lot, they'd probably seriously object to the 3 grave mounds, and the bone fetishes hanging from the tree in our front garden........

 

[dad_of_jon]

You think you've got it bad with all this Halloween crapola.... it's also the missus' birthday. Furthermore, she wants me to take her to see that film about Freddie bleedin' Mercury. Christ. At least I should evade the trick or treaters.

thats where im off to tonight. i always go out on halloween

 

[ITMA]

Should the US get credit for commercializing Halloween in the UK? I would have guessed it's the businesses there going overboard and trying to make extra money.

I am asking and not arguing.

I don't actually know but I thought the US would have minor to no influence on things like that.
Thanks.

It's an interesting point. The only thing I can think of that's changed in the last 20-30 years is The Simpsons. Treehouse of Horror episodes. I wonder if we have a generation who have grown up with this and Halloween has lodged in their heads?

(although, edit to add, here in the UK the Treehouse episodes appear at random times in the year, I wouldn't be surprised if they've never been shown on actual Halloween).

When I was a kid we day pay a bit of attention to Halloween but it was Bonfire Night that was the big deal.

 

[DavidDetroit]

It's an interesting point. The only thing I can think of that's changed in the last 20-30 years is The Simpsons. Treehouse of Horror episodes. I wonder if we have a generation who have grown up with this and Halloween has lodged in their heads?

(although, edit to add, here in the UK the Treehouse episodes appear at random times in the year, I wouldn't be surprised if they've never been shown on actual Halloween).

When I was a kid we day pay a bit of attention to Halloween but it was Bonfire Night that was the big deal.

So the "Americanization" is that the idea travels from here to there and catches on? Well, there is certainly a LOT of unnecessary commercialization here with any holiday.

The advertising here is downright insidious and has gotten to the point where you're wrong or a bad person if you don't follow all the rituals--buy jewelry, go out to dinner, make certain dishes, buy cards. My wife and I see through all of that and wonder why most everyone else doesn't. We basically either shun the advertising entirely or look upon it with some disdain.
Our favorite is the card/jewelry/dinner necessity of Valentine's Day. If you don't do those things on that day, then you don't love your significant other. One day of being nice won't save/maintain any relationship if you're a big, fat jerk the rest of the year.

There are always two sides however. In and of themselves, holidays are fine, fun, something to do, heartwarming, etc.