Groups »
Forums »
Answers »

Featured Groups

  • Bare Conductive
  • Drawing and Art
  • Sustainability
  • 123D
  • Fenix Intl, Ready Set Off The Grid
  • Kollabora
  • 123D

COMMUNITY : FORUMS : OFFBEAT


Why is Halloween so big in the USA?

I was wondering why its so big, me living in the UK i don see it like most Americans I'd also like to add i wish it was as big over here 'coz i personally love halloween

sort by: active | newest | oldest
1-100 of 114Next »
6
zachninme says: Jan 25, 2008. 6:56 AM
Its because its commercalized... the candy companies push it...
its a lion says: Jan 25, 2008. 9:00 AM
Just like every other holiday here...
164
Kiteman says: Oct 21, 2007. 9:21 AM
We have Guy Fawke's Night - get drunk with friends, set fire to meat, burn a big pile of wood, incinerate an effigy of somebody whose significance most people have forgotten, ignite the only explosives HMG will let us use freely, then spend the rest of the night in casualty without all our fingers. Much more wholesome that running the risk of a trip to the dentist...
16
Doctor What says: Jan 24, 2008. 8:31 PM
A teacher that gets drunk, and then burns things??? Tell me where to move, all the teachers here suck. (well, most of them)
4
Danny (author) says: Oct 22, 2007. 12:46 PM
Yay, i cant wait! if only a instructable on how to get underage alchohol was around...
16
Doctor What says: Jan 24, 2008. 8:35 PM
Intro: Underage drinking is really dumb, but if you must do it, do it this way. Step 1: Find a hobo - If you can find a hobo with an ID, great. If not, try a legal adult that still hangs out with 14 year olds (myspace?) Step 2: Give them money- Fuh. Der. Tell them to buy alcohol. Step 3: Slap yourself - If you actually drink underage (besides the occasional sips to taste), then slap yourself, with a hot soldering iron. You deserve pain.
4
Danny (author) says: Jan 25, 2008. 3:23 AM
It was a joke.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 22, 2007. 12:58 PM
Underage alcohol ? Blech ! I don't touch Scotch that is less then 12 years old LOL
164
Kiteman says: Oct 22, 2007. 1:54 PM
Scotch? Blech! You ought to try Irish whiskey, from the world's oldest distillery.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 22, 2007. 2:10 PM
| have had Irish whiskey, and although I don't drink much nor very often, I believe it is much smoother as is a good rum, still I wouldn't care for any "underaged" stuff ;-) .
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 5:02 PM
Rum? Blech! That tastes like fermented perfume.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 6:44 AM
Everyone has their likes and dislikes ;-) I happen to like the "taste" of more things - edible/drinkable than I dislike.
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 7:23 AM
I prefer cream liquoirs.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 8:10 AM
How about Cosmopolitans and Wine-spritzers ? ;-)
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 3:36 PM
Well I'm not sure, I haven't tried them.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 4:53 PM
I was teasing.
Kind of playing on the "Scotch for real men, Wine-spritzers for the rest" kind of thing. *sorry*
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 24, 2007. 7:36 AM
Oh!!!! I see!
popomaster says: Jan 24, 2008. 3:50 PM
your an adult?! i thought you were a kid.
30
Sunbanks says: Oct 25, 2007. 6:21 PM
This is a forum about Halloween and what are you two talking about? Alcohol. Its kind of funny really
38
Goodhart says: Oct 25, 2007. 6:44 PM
Danny said about underage alcohol, and I ran with a pun (he meant getting alcohol while being underaged, but I purposely misinterpreted it as alcohol that was not aged properly..... :-) ) i.e. underaged.
18
Labot2001 says: Jan 24, 2008. 6:41 PM
none of you know what you're talking about. it's all in the wines, i'll tell you. and that has nothing to do with all the Italian blood running through my veins, no, nothing at all.
38
Goodhart says: Jan 24, 2008. 8:15 PM
I get enough whine at home, don't need it here too LOL
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 12:56 PM
You seem to manage fine!
4
Danny (author) says: Oct 23, 2007. 10:43 AM
i have a brother who can get served and a neibour who is 36 and lives with her parents, the only ways of gettin alchohol and i rob it from me parents
30
Sunbanks says: Oct 25, 2007. 5:52 PM
You know what, I have no idea. I live in the USA and still don't understannd why Halloween is so big here.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 25, 2007. 5:56 PM
Once the costumes are made / bought, Mom can either send the kids out with Dad, or take the kids out, and get away from Dad LOL I was never very big on candy (except dark chocolates *yum*) so Halloween and Easter were not my favs as a child.
4
oodalumps says: Oct 20, 2007. 2:43 PM
Because it's fun.
10
Mepain says: Oct 22, 2007. 2:35 PM
I bet you just love to scare all the little kids. + P
13
Whaleman says: Oct 22, 2007. 4:18 PM
I had a chain saw! For some reason I can have that on public property, but not an airsoft gun......
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 5:53 PM
The only time I ever went trick or treating I went to this woman's house she was obviously rather unhappy that we were there and she was banging at the windows, swearing, insulting us and she even threw a small plate at us through the window so as a 'trick' I stole her garden gate! And I have never trick or treated since!
13
Whaleman says: Oct 22, 2007. 8:15 PM
I can't wait to go trick or treating in England >: )
4
Danny (author) says: Oct 23, 2007. 10:50 AM
last year me and my friend got 2 carrier bags full of sweets, 1 each and a tub of pringles and 7 pounds each (equal to 14 bucks) now thats some going so say not many people answer the door or give you a lot
13
Whaleman says: Oct 23, 2007. 3:51 PM
wow, I have never gotten money. Once I got an apple, but I didn't eat it.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 8:54 PM
Humph, in my day they gave out pennies.....but then, a lot of candy only cast a penny....30 pennies could make you deathly ill from all the candy *sigh*
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 4:02 PM
No, I wouldn't either - you don't know who has apple bobbed with it.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 25, 2007. 3:29 PM
or if someone might have hidden a razor blade in it *sigh*
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 4:16 PM
I wondered why people stopped shaving at halloween!!
38
Goodhart says: Oct 25, 2007. 4:25 PM
I just can't even imagine how warped a person has to be to do that to a child.....I am just overwhelmed. :..-(
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 4:32 PM
What?! That actually happens! OMG what must be wrong with sickoes like that.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 25, 2007. 4:49 PM
It is one of the reasons for bans on anything that is not hermetically sealed and impossible to be tampered with, without it being obvious.

Yeah, it happened. I remember hearing it on the news shortly after I became "too old to wear a mask". That was years ago. Since then, it seems a few people have gotten even sicker *sigh*

# Although food tampering is rare, inspect all your child's candy right away. Discard treats with loose wrappings, or anything that doesn't look quite right. Better safe than sorry!
# Ditto for homemade treats, unless you're friendly with the baker.
# Be extra careful with toddler's goodies. Remove all choking hazards or treats that are age-inappropriate-including hard candy and toys with small parts. (To avoid protests, you may wish to keep a surprise substitution on hand.) Safety tips

This is what took any fun out of the season for me.....
It is so sad....

9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 4:59 PM
Oh man! Some people are just so horrid and destructive, it really makes me mad!
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 7:26 AM
It depends where you live on the quality.
justavip says: Oct 22, 2007. 7:25 PM
lol
13
Whaleman says: Oct 22, 2007. 5:59 PM
garden gate? aren't those heavy? What are they in England, I have never heard of those before.
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 6:10 AM
It basically this but made of iron.
13
Whaleman says: Oct 23, 2007. 3:49 PM
and you stole that how?
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 4:18 PM
I lifted it up out of the post holes- it was bust up anyway and her son stole the windscreen off my vintage Hilman-Imp.
13
Whaleman says: Oct 23, 2007. 9:08 PM
Oh, what did you do to him? Or did you just steal their gate post?
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 24, 2007. 8:25 AM
He cut of my windscreen and stole it then his mother was unpleasant to me and my family so I stole their gate.
13
Whaleman says: Oct 24, 2007. 5:29 PM
Meh, I think I would have gone with the classic smoke-bomb with a burning bag and rotten egg approach
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 10:29 AM
I will try that now.

Ahhhhhhhh the smell!!!
13
Whaleman says: Oct 25, 2007. 10:42 AM
ahhhgghhhggg...... * cough cough * the smoke tastes like......... burning........
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 3:25 PM
Hiemenshizer
38
Goodhart says: Oct 24, 2007. 5:35 PM
That is an advantage to living in an area with lots of cows.....we don't use eggs LOL
13
Whaleman says: Oct 24, 2007. 9:14 PM
oh, crap. Literally. If I drove around 20 miles or so I could find some cows, it is on the way to my grandparents house.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 24, 2007. 10:28 PM
BTW: you didn't hear that from me.... :-)
13
Whaleman says: Oct 25, 2007. 9:12 AM
Ok, I heard it from my grandma's dog.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 25, 2007. 12:22 PM
You can do something even safer with an old purse, but it is more random in its choice of victim: fill the purse with some of the goopy fertilizer, and lay it on the side of the road. This works best in the country where there are not many houses, er I mean , witnesses around. Hide where you can see the purse and down the road some, and where you will not be discovered, in case the driver suddenly chooses to shift into reverse. Normal reaction: They jump out of car after spotting purse. Grab purse and jump back into car tossing it onto the passenger seat. Down the road a bit, they peek into the purse and Whoosh, out the window it flies.
13
Whaleman says: Oct 25, 2007. 1:54 PM
ha! I live in a city though...... maybe I should try the mall, teens are loosing morals these days, maybe this will teach them a lesson!
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 3:30 PM
Oh yeah!! I'm rich.......HOLY arrggghhhhh!!!!! No it is full of chocolate!!
13
Whaleman says: Oct 25, 2007. 3:32 PM
Not chocolate, chocolate pie XP ain't it a little late for you to be stealing purses?
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 25, 2007. 3:40 PM
Only 11:40 and anyway- I supply my own chocolate pies!
13
Whaleman says: Oct 25, 2007. 3:45 PM
XD
13
Whaleman says: Oct 23, 2007. 6:06 PM
What is a Hilman-Imp?
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 8:55 PM
Here's one (LINK)
13
Whaleman says: Oct 23, 2007. 9:07 PM
Oh. Thanks.
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 4:57 PM
What about a machine gun.....

BANG BANG BANG

"Well they asked for a trick officer"
13
Whaleman says: Oct 22, 2007. 5:05 PM
Hehe, take an airsoft sniper up in my room, A group of four year olds escorted by a 16 year old "trick or treat!" "no" "fine, we'll just egg your house!" says the 16 year old then I start sniping their eggs...... buwahahahahaha!! or I could just put a mine in front of the door.......
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 5:18 PM
Hehehehe!! The trouble with mines are the tremendous damage it does to the house - but at least you killed those pesky kids! Or you could steal a car and do a few drive-by's on the treat or treaters and then rip the pumpkin-shaped baskets full of sweets and/or money from their cold fake fingered hands! Or put a sign up at the door saying 'Any trick or treater who rings this bell shall do so on pain of death' and then wire the door bell up to the mains electricity and WHALLAH! All is quite on You's front yard!
13
Whaleman says: Oct 22, 2007. 5:58 PM
Buwahahahahahaha!!!!!!! Or, I could put "do not disturb, or be shot with an airsoft gun" And then put a bowl of candy outside that says "take one" and any one who takes more than one gets a 450 fps shot to the hand. Buwahahahaha! no more theft!!!
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 6:04 AM
YEAH!!!! Hehehehe they can't say you didn't warn them! Really what trick or treating comes down to is begging with a little blackmail thrown in for good measure!
13
Whaleman says: Oct 23, 2007. 3:50 PM
yup.
2
missmonster says: Oct 21, 2007. 1:53 PM
Because it's fun to dress up in a crazy costume and have a good time with freinds. As a kid it was exciting walking around at night with legions of other children, knocking on doors and seeing what scary thing answered. You kind of believed there were real monsters, and it that made it so exciting!Then you get to go home and see what kind of cool tasty things you scored and swap or share with your freinds. As an adult I get to pass it on and BE that scary thing that answers the door when they kids come knocking. Halloween had a michevious air about it, something I have never stopped loving. When I see the orange and black colors start popping up in stores I get really excited. As a horror/monster fan I love that it's perfectly okay to start selling monstter faces or skulls or brain jello-molds. The whole countries ghoulish side comes out, but in a mostly light hearted way. I guess if you want to be negative , you can just say it's about getting people to buy more crap like costumes and candy. i think that's such a sad way to look at it, though it has a grain of truth. But to most people that really love halloween it's about fun, looking funny, decorating your yard to look awesome, scaring some kids or making them laugh and passing on the fun of that big spooky night, throwing a big haunted party and drinking and having a fantastic time.
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 1:00 PM
And then having teenagers egg your house and watch your car get keyed!!! Hurrah!
2
missmonster says: Oct 22, 2007. 1:13 PM
lol "watch your car get keyed"? i dont know about you, but i wouldnt be *watching* my car get keyed...id be out there giving proper beatings!

I'm kidding, i knew what you meant ;) But it's kind of too bad you had to try and negate my positive halloween comment with crabby "darn teenagers" stuff. Iam sorry a few bad kids ruin an otherwise fun holiday for you :) Try and have a great halloween anyway :D
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 22, 2007. 4:02 PM
I apologise but it is really unfortunate that some people are so pointlessly destructive so they can ruin other's enjoyment,luckily not all people like that.
2
missmonster says: Oct 23, 2007. 7:43 AM
you are right, it is sad..it drives me nuts that some stupid people have to do dumb destructive things to "celebrate". People used to smash our pumpkins in the street...well, one year my dad ran after them and caught them! Haha! Scared the you know what out of those kids! Anyway, i hope the jerky kids stay away from you this year :)
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 3:49 PM
Hehehe.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 7:16 AM
It is almost akin to "1984's" note that each day began with a 2 minute 'hate session' for all citizens, where they could literally "let it all out" without much fear of retribution. Granted, we are not "allowing" that with All hallows eve , yet. But the trend towards what it teaches, "could" become something similar.
2
missmonster says: Oct 23, 2007. 8:23 AM
What do you think Halloween teaches where it might create something similar to "hate sessions"? I'm just curious :)
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 8:36 AM
Well, if we think abo0ut this, children are being taught that #1: they can have what they like, even if it is not good for them, by begging, and #2: if they don't get what they want, the treat, they are allowed to dish out retribution (trick); which is why it is called "trick or treat". A few years back someone in a Jason costume came to the door and yelled, give me candy or I will kill you (such a thought). Whether there is hatred involved or not, the same purpose is being achieved: the allowing of people to be a little wild, so they get it out of their systems. There are parallels, and I am not the first person to note this. :-)
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 7:18 AM
Yes.
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 8:39 AM
Oh, to finish the story about the Jason kid: A few years back someone in a Jason costume came to the door and yelled, give me candy or I will kill you (such a thought). Unfortunately for him, I was without my upper plate (which was only the front four upper teeth) and so when I grinned broadly at him, he only saw very natural canine teeth that extended below my lower lip a bit. |I heard him say to his little brother as they left the porch, "no, I they were real!" LOL
2
missmonster says: Oct 23, 2007. 9:00 AM
bwahaha, that's a great ending to the Jason story! Go, you! I had a few kids try and get aggressive with me in my other costume. They are afraid but they cover it with aggression to make up for it...but jump at them a bit and watch 'em cringe! ;) I can see what you are talking about now, thank you for clarifying. Indeed taking revenge on someone because they didnt give you free candy is not a good value to instill!
38
Goodhart says: Oct 23, 2007. 9:05 AM
Thank you. I tend to type so much slower then I think, so sometimes I can be a bit vague on details (sometimes dropping whole needed phrases from the midst of sentences in my rush *sigh*).
9
Loosewire; SOE Operative says: Oct 23, 2007. 3:54 PM
Me too, I'm always skipping words and sometimes I even mould two words together.
1
Metal4God says: Oct 23, 2007. 9:15 AM
We get to Tippee houses(cover w/ tollett paper) and not get caught!
4
Danny (author) says: Oct 23, 2007. 10:41 AM
i bet YOU dont
1
Metal4God says: Oct 23, 2007. 10:49 AM
no i don't :-( I want to tho!
4
Danny (author) says: Oct 23, 2007. 10:55 AM
lol i think its TP standing for Toliet paper?
1
Metal4God says: Oct 23, 2007. 10:58 AM
but it also involves EGGS!
4
Danny (author) says: Oct 23, 2007. 11:03 AM
yay, The UK is getting a surpise they havent seen b4
1
Metal4God says: Oct 23, 2007. 11:20 AM
lol you should live in AMERICA its sooooooooo much better and do you like having a queen?
2
jtobako says: Oct 23, 2007. 5:09 AM
If you can explain guy faulk's day and boxing day I'll try halloween : )
217
jessyratfink says: Oct 23, 2007. 4:35 AM
Because we're a bunch of heathens! :D
6
T-man says: Oct 23, 2007. 4:28 AM
its big because we got lots of candy. YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
32
Lftndbt says: Oct 22, 2007. 11:35 PM
The human flight instinct is easy to induct.. The flight instinct will interpret images of danger, much quicker then you can interpret reasonable danger in realistic circumstances.. Hence if Satan run at you... Your body get's you out of the way damn fast...
32
Lftndbt says: Oct 22, 2007. 11:26 PM
Not so big in Australia either... Given it's an American tradition and all.. Yet we normally get a few youngsters, which we decorate the house for.. And also lots of teenagers just looking to break stuff and get free lollies.. Last year a group of 10 about 19/20 yr olds came to the door. They were very rude to my g/f and my other house mate... Bad move.. I was dressed as satan (VERY realistic). I was holding a ugly as, severed head and a huge meat clever (Also VERY real looking). I was also covered from head to toe in fake wounds and blood... When I ran out screaming from the darkness behind them (full stealth style). They literally pissed themselves. They were screaming like little girls and pushing their friends out of the way so they could run INSIDE my house to hide.. This went on for about 30secs before they realised I wasn't the real deal... ROFL!! The bagging out of each other, on who was most scared continued down the street as they left... Halloween is SO good!!
justavip says: Oct 22, 2007. 7:29 PM
im going as a football player zombie sp i can "truck" little kids (aka) takle them
justavip says: Oct 22, 2007. 7:27 PM
for all the people that love funny misc that live in wa tacoma pm me if u would like a great party
1-100 of 114Next »
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!