Two cousins, the boy dressed in military camouflage and the girl in a ballerina outfit, wait outside a door as they go trick-or-treating, October 31, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Halloween will arrive here in the U.S. this Wednesday, October 31, but celebrations are already underway (as you may have noticed right here at this blog).
The holiday is a pretty big deal in our country; visit a retail outlet such as Wal-Mart and you’ll see many racks of full costumes and Halloween-oriented tee-shirts for children and adults, along with a myriad of accessories from fake blood to fairy wings and Day-Glo wigs. Your sweet tooth can go into overdrive from the bags and bags of candy, individually-wrapped goodies designed to be to handed out to miniature superheroes, vampires and princesses who show up on your doorstep with cries of “trick or treat!”
These kids featured in The Beach Reporter, a California newspaper, are all decked out for the holiday and their school’s carnival.
Cable and satellite channels hold “Fright Fests” throughout the month airing classic horror films such as “Frankenstein” and “Dracula” along with more contemporary “scary movies.” Television specials focus on communities and families known for their all-out celebrations of the holiday.
Organizations host haunted house attractions–Terror on the Gulf, Panic in the Park, the Haunted Hayride–providing thrills and chills as they raise funds for worthy causes. Many schools and churches hold Halloween carnivals or harvest festivals offering games, costume contests and other activities.
English: This is The Bates Motel and haunted Hayride in Glen Mills, PA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here at The Armitage Effect, we will celebrate the occasion by blogging about some of our favorite spooky movies (personally, I am into atmosphere and suspense rather than excessive blood and gore), Halloween-themed songs, share Halloween fan art and who knows? You just might discover a surprise or two. Hopefully you will find it interesting, fun and even educational.
But mostly, we want to have—FUN. 😉
the armitage effect 
Teehee. Have you and Benny decided on costumes yet?
Since our plans changed with the trip down here, we won’t be doing costumes this year. Well, maybe something that will be entertaining for each other . . . 😉 if you know what I mean. *giggle*
*giggle!* Have fun, darlings!
For us, Halloween is an imported holiday in last years, it is felt especially by children, there are only a few parties. There, we mask at the carnival. But I spent my first Halloween in London a few years ago and it was fun. Guy like drag looks like a character from the cartoon Scooby doo.
In Spain, too, we wear costumes at carnival (Mardi Gras), but Halloween is beginning to be popular, with some stores showing vampires and witches in their windows while others offer packaged candies and jackolanterns. There is a day-of-the-dead tradition of adolescents dressing as “los muertos” (the dead) and walking around tapping unsuspecting people on the shoulder — not terrifying, just enough to startle you a little until you recognize who’s under the mask and the black robe.
Here in Mexico they celebrate Las Dias De Los Muertos (D ay of the Dead).
Jack-o-lanterns have been gaining popularity in Hungary too in the past few years. Trick-or-treating is not done yet, but who knows maybe that custom will spread too eventually.