Although Halloween has become a huge holiday commercially, and celebrations are still very popular throughout the modern world, especially in Ireland and the United States, certain concerns related to traditional Halloween activities have developed in more recent years and have thus caused some traditions to change.
Many traditions that the whole community used to participate in happily during the Halloween season have slowly buy surely faded away. Having a large community bonfire was once a common part of Halloween celebrations in England, but is now more commonly associated with the festivities of Guy Fawke's Day, which is celebrated on November 5 in that country. Even this is less frequent now because of modern concerns about damage that can be caused to the environment.
Health concerns expressed about games like bobbing for apples are a sign of modern attitudes; but the alternative forms of entertainment now available, such as watching horror movies on DVD at home, have probably had a much greater influence on the decline. With such changes, the purpose of the door-to-door collection has long shifted from gathering fruit and other items to use in the community fun activities, to collections of sweets, candy and money for personal gain.
A growing number of people show an overall dislike for the idea of trick-or-treating since it seems like a threatening form of begging to them. Children, however, have always loved the fun of collecting candy door to door in scary or funny costumes. Thus, many homeowners have turned trick-or-treating into a fun event for all parties involved by decorating their homes quite extensively and adding frightening details like creepy sound effects. Some people even dress up in costumes in an effort to scare the kids that visit the home to ask for treats.
Both local authorities and parents of trick-or-treating children have become reasonably concerned because of possible dangers related to visiting the homes of strangers and eating unwrapped candies on Halloween night. In some areas, this has made local law enforcement agencies establish controlled areas where kids can collect candy and other goodies safely, making parents feel more comfortable and much less worried about their children being hurt somehow.
Charity fund raising involvement has cut back in the face of these concerns becoming more widespread, for example a long running UNICEF fund raising scheme centered on Halloween collections was cut back in 2006.
Sad to say, trick-or-treating has led to outright vandalism in many areas, thus making people associate negative images of vandalized property with Halloween.
For these reasons, the fresh arrival of Halloween as a pop culture fad has been unwelcome in some communities that have not previously shared in the tradition.
Many traditions that the whole community used to participate in happily during the Halloween season have slowly buy surely faded away. Having a large community bonfire was once a common part of Halloween celebrations in England, but is now more commonly associated with the festivities of Guy Fawke's Day, which is celebrated on November 5 in that country. Even this is less frequent now because of modern concerns about damage that can be caused to the environment.
Health concerns expressed about games like bobbing for apples are a sign of modern attitudes; but the alternative forms of entertainment now available, such as watching horror movies on DVD at home, have probably had a much greater influence on the decline. With such changes, the purpose of the door-to-door collection has long shifted from gathering fruit and other items to use in the community fun activities, to collections of sweets, candy and money for personal gain.
A growing number of people show an overall dislike for the idea of trick-or-treating since it seems like a threatening form of begging to them. Children, however, have always loved the fun of collecting candy door to door in scary or funny costumes. Thus, many homeowners have turned trick-or-treating into a fun event for all parties involved by decorating their homes quite extensively and adding frightening details like creepy sound effects. Some people even dress up in costumes in an effort to scare the kids that visit the home to ask for treats.
Both local authorities and parents of trick-or-treating children have become reasonably concerned because of possible dangers related to visiting the homes of strangers and eating unwrapped candies on Halloween night. In some areas, this has made local law enforcement agencies establish controlled areas where kids can collect candy and other goodies safely, making parents feel more comfortable and much less worried about their children being hurt somehow.
Charity fund raising involvement has cut back in the face of these concerns becoming more widespread, for example a long running UNICEF fund raising scheme centered on Halloween collections was cut back in 2006.
Sad to say, trick-or-treating has led to outright vandalism in many areas, thus making people associate negative images of vandalized property with Halloween.
For these reasons, the fresh arrival of Halloween as a pop culture fad has been unwelcome in some communities that have not previously shared in the tradition.
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Looking for kids costume ideas for Halloween? Visit the Get In Costume website for plenty of fun & creative ideas. Plus, get your free copy of my special report "The Family Guide To Halloween Safety"
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