What is the history of trick or treat and even Halloween. Are these direct imports from the USA. I've seen the odd American TV program where the kids and their parents really go to town to dress up like ghouls and it all seems to be jolly fun but then, we also have Guy Fawkes so do we really need trick or treat. Nobody tried to blow up their parliament in days gone by so they are missing out on that one but perhasps Bin Laden will be the effigy of the future for them.

Penny for the guy mister.

Do not have any idea how the Americanisation (?) came about. But October 31st and November 1st have long been important Pagan dates. Only back in the day it was called 'Samhain'. But was always associated with Demons, Witches, Bonfires, Masks, etc etc.. One of our more interesting festivals. (unless of course, your crops have failed and Edward Woodward turns up on a fool's errand -  then that one gets much more interesting)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain


Threep.

Woodwood did come a cropper for a copper.
In a neighbourhoood of young children and their mums,
they would pass by during the day and ask if we were happy,for them to come calling.
We were the same age but didn't wish to let our ones loose on the neighbours!

The kids were well behaved, and and well dressed up. It was frankly a bit daft.
Then the egg throwing started. It is almost impossible to remove egg from stucco. Ask Michaelangelo.
Shops in the area will not sell eggs in the same way as they try not to sell booze.
The attraction of abusing elderly folk is obvious. Just ringing the bell and shouting when there is no reply must be fun.