My views on Halloween were very clear cut as a child (especially as my birthday is the following day and I was not impressed with kids turning up at our door demanding the rare treats intended for my birthday tea) but like most things I no longer find it quite so black and white. As older children we were given the choice, whether or not to accept invites to halloween events (thankfully quite rare in those days) and while I, on my high horse, would refuse to go, I remember one of my brothers turning up to his best friend's halloween-themed 11th birthday party in normal clothes so he could still wish his friend a happy birthday but without dressing up as anthing ungodly.

While politely turning down social events never really bothered me, I was forced to face the issue head on as a Children's Worker, when my boss decided that our entire half-term playscheme would have a Halloween theme. As a junior employee, I could hardly overrule her, but couldn't afford to risk losing my job over it. In the end, I agreed to take on all of the non-Halloween related sessions (sports etc.) and leave the Halloween activities to staff members that were happy to do them. I made my craft sessions, face painting and cooking sessions non-Halloween related too (which by the end of the week many of the children were glad of, having had their fill of Halloween already).

My biggest concern was the party on the last day as all the children would be together in one hall and I could not get out of it. I prayed all week about what I should do, but talking to a non-Christian colleague on the final morning, it transpired that she too was concerned about the wisdom of telling ghost stories and using gory props for an age-range that included 4-12 year olds (from several cultural and religious backgrounds) without parental permission. With her support, (and the input of one of the older girls who'd asked if we had some jobs she could do as her mum wouldn't want her listening to ghost stories) we convinced the boss to let us hold alternative activities in another room for those children who either weren't allowed, or didn't want to join in the scary stories and games.

Our supervisor agreed, but told us we were over-reacting; she couldn't see the problem, it was 'just a bit of fun' and any parent who disagreed should 'take a chill pill'. She assumed we were wasting our time as she couldn't envisage any child passing up on her and her daughters' idea of fun but the kids were given the choice anyway and 20 of the 50 kids chose to boycott the party. The following week our 'over reaction' resulted in several messages from grateful parents thanking us for running alternative activities, while our manager received several phonecalls from angry parents whose offspring (and not only the little ones) had developed nightmares and bedwetting since the party.

I think the difference between my views on Halloween and Bonfire Night has a lot to do with the fact that while Bonfire Night marks an important historical and political event, modern Halloween celebrations bear no real relation to All Hallows Eve, it is simply an excuse for a party. I don't need an excuse for a party, I'll hold one whenever I want and skip the devil costumes - I never liked dressing up anyway!

Anyhow, I've waffled enough for one email, but I'll be interested to hear what other people think.
Big Blessings in Christ.
Sarah Gilligan xx