While I don’t normally generalize an American opinion (considering there are over 315 million people that call the USA home) it’s hard denying that “we” are obsessed with the holiday season. I’m referring to the period of various holidays and celebrations that take place between Halloween and New Years Eve.
I am 110% guilty of sharing this obsession.
Halloween is a particular favorite for many Americans. You’ll often hear older generations make comments about how Halloween has changed since they were kids. Homemade costumes are now overshadowed by the $7 billion Halloween costume industry and the actual holiday takes over stores and homes over a month in advance.
There’s no denying this holiday has become a massive part of American culture.
Upon returning home the week of Halloween, after 5 months in Europe, I have to admit I experienced a bit of culture shock, myself. While other places around the world celebrate Halloween, the holiday is a big part of American tradition.
When is Halloween?
A single evening holiday, that used to solely be celebrated on the evening of October 31st, is now referred to as the Halloween season and starts as early as September. October 31st is still the official day of the holiday, but Halloween themed decorations, scary movies and parties happen throughout the month of October.
We couldn’t possibly enjoy it all in just one day, now could we?
Trick or Treat
The tradition of going “Trick or Treating” has been going on for generations. Growing up, I would dress up in a costume my mom made me, take an empty pillow case and go knocking door to door on neighbors homes for candy. Home owners would greet us with a cauldron of sweet snacks and, upon using the magic words “trick or treat,” I would be gifted a single piece of candy.
Two pieces, if I was lucky.
Things haven’t changed too much in the past decade or so, but the days of homemade costumes and pillow cases have mostly been traded in for store-bought costumes and plastic molded candy carriers themed to Disney characters, super heroes and pumpkins.
At most homes, children can expect to get a few Starbursts or Smarties, which are the pieces that usually get picked out from “the good candy” and given to mom and dad.
There are also homes that get REALLY into the holiday and hand out special trick-or-treat goodie bags and giant candy bars. Every kid knows those houses and bee-lines to them early before they run out.
Then, there are those houses with people who choose not to partake in the Halloween festivities. They’re easily spotted with their porch lights off and no Halloween decoration which is the universal sign for “go away!”
Hey, to each their own!
But, if you choose not to give the kids their candy, don’t be surprised to find pumpkins smashed on your front lawn or your house egged that night. All is fair in Halloween candy and war!
Decorations
Americans LOVE to decorate their homes for the holidays. Stores begin stocking their shelves with Halloween decor as early as September, well before the actual holiday on October 31st. Santa’s on the roof at Christmas, big bunnies on the lawn for Easter, but some people go ALL OUT on Halloween.
I’m not just talking a couple of carved pumpkins and graves in the front lawn. Some people go so far as to turn their entire home into a Haunted House, complete with fog machines, ghosts and lights.
This house takes the cake (and is actually a short 30 minute drive from my parents’ house here in So Cal)
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The age-old tradition of carving pumpkins is still alive and well. We hallow out pumpkins and carve them into jack-o-lanterns and some people even turn them into works of art.
Costumes
Anything goes. We love costumes. We even dress up our pets.
My dog, Kiwi, as “Shark Bait”
As for the portrayal of sexy Halloween costumes on girls here, I can do little to defend it. Have you ever seen a girl dressed up as a sexy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle? Or a sexy slice of pizza?
I have.
A Halloween costume can literally be anything, or nothing, depending on your level of creativity. We also LOVE costume contests. Companies and even entire cities host contests for the most creative costume with prizes ranging from eternal glory to some pretty awesome gift packages.
Then, there was that one time that a random girl dressed up as “me” for Halloween and tagged me on Instagram…
but that’s for another story.
Parties
Halloween parties are EXTREMELY popular with adults. It’s also one of the most popular times to head out to Las Vegas for a wild celebration.
At house parties, there are bound to be lots of cobwebs, skeletons hanging from the ceiling and most certainly “The Monster Mash” on repeat.
Everyone walks around admiring the detail of one another’s costume (most likely there will be a costume contest) while progressively getting more intoxicated on something like “Blood Punch,” infused with rum.
I will admit, it’s entertaining to see a drunk Frankenstein stumbling down the stairs.
The food also plays a big part in setting the mood. Just look Halloween Food on Pinterest and you’ll find alien brain casseroles, eyeball salad, and plenty of ghoulish cookies and cakes. Common reactions to this “themed” food is, “OMG that is SO cute!”
Wait. Blood and guts themed food is cute? Really?!
Haunted Things and Theme Parks
Americans love to be scared. Well, I don’t, but a LOT of people do.
During Halloween, people transform just about anything into a “haunted” place and charge people to come in and nearly piss themselves with fear.
Haunted hay rides, hotels and corn mazes are particularly popular.
Even theme parks get involved to reap the benefits of scaring people and getting paid for it. Universal Studios has one of the best horror nights for people looking for a real-deal scare. Actors dressed as zombies and monsters are done up in complete movie quality makeup and costumes.
Even family-friendly Disneyland completely transforms their parks to the spooky holiday. I’ll admit, it’s actually one of my favorite places to go during the Halloween season. The Nightmare Before Christmas takeover of the Haunted Mansion is awesome.
So that’s a little background on American traditions surrounding Halloween. It’s definitely a bit ridiculous and a lot of fun! Have a safe and spook-tacular Halloween everyone!
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