Yesterday we went shopping for Halloween constumes. I actually have similar feelings that Jeff does about Halloween, but the closest All Saint's Day Party is usually a bit of a distance for a week night, whereas taking them around the block to let them get some candy bars is a more viable option. The rule is no demon, devil, evil creature or witch costumes.
Rosey Posey and Posco are going to be brother and sister Ninjas this year and Fastolph will be Spider-Man. The two oldest usually match. One year they were St. Isaac Jogues and Bl. Kateri Tekawitha, one year they were St. Gabriel and St. Michael, another year they were Jango Fett and Senator Amidala. They get a kick out of that.
Has anyone noticed that Halloween has become a major production almost like Christmas? They sell little jack-o-lantern outdoor lights, Halloween garland to decorate your stoop railings, giant inflatable pumpkins and all kinds of tombstones to put in your front lawn. And the prices of the costumes, my goodness! They sell children's costumes for $50. Sorry guys, you can only pick the cheap ones. I intended to sew the costumes this year, but since we are in the throes of moving, purchasing was an easier option.
Now, do not get me started on how Filene's has had their Christmas tree displays up for about 3 weeks now.
Our favorite Catholic goods store has had all their Christmas stuff out for the while. My husband asked them what time of year they started to run out and not restock, because I really want to get my Christmas items from Catholic places if possible. Looks like it is just a reality of business that they have to bring it out now. But from them I believe that that's true, and they don't seem to relish it so much, as the Christmas stuff is in the Christmas area and there aren't other displays enticing you toward that part of the store.
I have bought my cards, a gift, and a book of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany traditions by the people from Domestic-Church.com so far. Usually I am a December 23 or 24 shopper for most gifts.
Do you like that book? I have been meaning to pick it up for some time...
I haven't read it in depth yet because I'm still trying to figure out something to do with those three pumpkins, but it looks really good. I am especially keen on ideas for Christmas decorations and tree ornaments with Christian meaning.
I've been looking at that book too! I was thinking about waiting one more year, but maybe I shouldn't wait.
I am of two minds on Halloween. On the one hand, I really hate what it's become -- a big commercial extravaganza and way too much creepy and gross stuff (in part thanks to certain baby-boomers with lots of nostalgia, delusions of eternal youth, and way too much disposable income.) The weeks before Halloween are a good time to go house hunting so you can scope out which neighborhoods are prone to excessive Halloween decoration (graveyards in the front lawn, etc.)
On the other hand, I don't like the attitude of trying to shield ourselves from any taint of the larger culture. It strikes me as being counterproductive -- it deprives us of the chance to evangelize others, and it can set up a false impression to our children and to others that Catholicism = No Fun and Always Being Weird.
Plus, little kids just plain old love Halloween! Costumes, parties, carving pumpkins... who wouldn't? I wonder if it does them some good on a deeper lever, too, giving them a chance to talk about and master scary things. Good catechesis about devils, angels, and about what happens when we die would fit right into that.
I have heard that Halloween has become second only to Christmas is revenue production for the commercial sector.
They make little money off of me (except of course for the snack size Milky Ways. :) ) since I am still operating on memories of cool costumes made from old stuff around the house. (Anybody remember decorating costumes - made from white bedsheets - with crayon and then 'setting' the work with a low temp iron? Of course, I'm not so sure where my iron is.... :) )