Get on board: Shut up haters, Halloween is awesome

Are you one of those people whingeing about Australia adopting an “American” tradition? Well, it’s time to pipe down because Halloween rocks.

There are two essential truths about Halloween in 2019 that we, as Australians, simply have to accept.

One is that every single retailer will make a concerted four-week effort to describe their current sale using the adjective “spooktacular” despite it clearly being a word we desperately need to start using the whole year ’round.

Seriously, how much more vibed about local government would you be if your ward announced its Spooktacular Council Elections in a dripping blood font upon a flyer festooned with bats and skeletons? Orders of magnitude more vibed, that’s how much more.

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Kids know what’s up – why can’t you grown-ups get on-board? Picture: Supplied

The other is that your social media feeds and the more reactionary bits of the broadcastscape will be filled with people complaining vociferously about the very existence of Halloween within the national holidaysphere.

“Why must Australia adopt these crass Americanisms?” they will rant about the centuries-old tradition that grew out of Celtic harvest celebrations.

“How dare people demand free lollies for nothing, which is clearly rank socialism at its most diabolical and diabetical? Why must I be forced to abandon my proud October 31 tradition of sitting silently in the dark, nibbling only on the sourest of cardboard?”

I, however, have a different take on it, which is this: Australia does Halloween better than anyone else, and we should celebrate the heck out of it.

Why is it better here? Allow me to explain.

For one thing, unlike the US and other Halloween-forward nations, it’s currently opt-in. Unlike, say, Christmas where Jewish and Muslim families often have to cough awkwardly and say “well, actually …” when being railroaded into taking part in some seasonal event, there’s no automatic assumption that everyone is on-board with being tricked and/or treated.

Like many of the best things in life, you’re only expected to become involved after giving active and enthusiastic consent.

These koalas at Australia Zoo love a bit of Halloween Down Under. Picture: Supplied

In some areas, households can signal their involvement with an orange ribbon on the front door, but for the most part, the presence or absence of cotton cobwebs and plastic jack-o'-lanterns will indicate whether or not someone’s going to hand over some Smarties or complain bitterly about children dressing up and thoughtlessly enjoying themselves.

And that brings us to the second great thing: In the northern climes, October 31 is late autumn when things start getting chilly and inclement. Here it’s a balmy spring evening, a perfect climate in which to take the kids for a wander around their neighbourhood dressed as a ghost.

Oddly enough, the same folks that tut-tut about Halloween are often the ones lamenting the good old days when people knew everyone in their street, so you’d think they’d be all for pushing this opportunity to make some local connections using the bonding power of supermarket chocolate.

Also, let’s have a bit of real talk here. Life is stressful and difficult enough for most of us without finding reasons not to enjoy ourselves, and any excuse to dress up and get a bit silly is a welcome one – especially if it’s something we can do with our families.

It’s OK to just enjoy something for the sake of enjoying it. And, unlike those poor Celtics, you don’t even have to lead up to it by frantically harvesting produce lest your community starve to death in the depths of winter.

Sam Lake, Amahli Morrison, Tahlia Rowe, Abby Bevan and Eden Dinsdale will join thousands of other kids enjoying fresh air on October 31. Picture: Alana Calvert / Chinchilla News

You don’t want to involve yourself in an event that involves plastic skulls and sexy witch outfits? That’s fine, no-one’s making it mandatory. But scolding others for wanting to do something fun with their children? You’re getting your Grinch on a couple of months early there, Dr Seuss.

Mind you, here’s hoping you still have a spooktacular Christmas.

This article originally appeared on Kidspot and was reproduced with permission