Real Halloween fanatics live in our neighborhood. A few houses further on, the lawn has once again turned into a complete cemetery. Bones stick out of the ground and skulls gape at passers-by from the grass. A plastic gravestone with RIP painted on it makes it complete.
Every year I am amazed at the passion with which people throw themselves into the macabre festival. Who wants their garden to turn out to be a cemetery?
Historically, this is extra sensitive in the area. Our neighborhood was once the location where the original Indians buried their dead. But no matter how woke the residents here often are, moral issues have to make way for Halloween.
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That’s why a local resident plays the prank of putting a skeleton behind the wheel of his parked car. The first time I walked by I was shocked.
Spending capital
The biggest Halloween fanatics live a few streets away. The garden and entrance are full of giant zombies, a Grim Reaper and even a coffin that looks suspiciously real. The residents must have spent capital. A little bit of horror costs hundreds of dollars at home store Home Depot, not to mention the price of a real coffin. Or would it be over…? It’s certainly by far the most macabre Halloween accessory.
Grabbing candy
Halloween is a candy festival for young people. Kids dressed up go from door to door. In the Netherlands, our children in Leiden sang obediently songs at the comparable St. Martin’s Day before they were given a treat. Americans don’t do that. They get straight to the point. It’s candy grabbing and on and on.
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This poses a dilemma for my youngest son. At thirteen years old, Halloween is no longer cool, but the prospect of a bag full of treats still made him weak at the knees last year. However, he no longer wants to go on raids with his school friends. The loss of face is better limited to the neighborhood children.
Excuse me for a party
The other son has long since outgrown this stage. For him, Halloween is an excuse to celebrate again. This is taken seriously with fancy dress parties.
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Even at it pickleball from partner Laine they participate. She sent a photo from the track with witches, the Blues Brothers and a duo that, for unknown reasons, posed as bottles of mustard and ketchup. She herself had gone as a pirate. Would that be a warning?
After Halloween, the neighborhood quickly empties the gardens. Then they go into the kitchen for Thanksgiving and the next boxes are pulled from the attic. This involves staggering amounts of Christmas lights, inflatable snowmen and candy canes full of lights. This is how we roll from one party to the next.