According to Roy Morgan research, one in four Australians now celebrate Halloween. With more of us getting involved in the spooky season, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the occasion, and any tips or advice you can share with the CHOICE Community for surviving the event.
Halloween isn’t the only holiday we’ve adopted - think Chinese New Year, St Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest, Festival of Eid and Diwali just to name a few. However, for some, Halloween inspires a fervent distaste. If we consider the event’s Celtic origins under Samhain, which was a festival to mark the beginning of dark times and winter, it could be considered a little funny that we’ve ended up doing things in reverse Downunder. In any case, if it’s altogether something you’d rather avoid, there’s some tips and advice on this too.
On the other hand, we’ve also heard that the event has been great for community building in some neighbourhoods, and a chance for people to dress up and have some light-hearted fun. With that in mind, here’s a guide to help ensure your smooth sailing this Halloween. Make sure to leave your comments below so we can add to the guide as we go!
Halloween Survival Guide Downunder
Avoiding the tricks, avoiding the treats
No Halloween? No hassles. Avoid the event by taking the following steps:
- Don’t decorate your house, as this can be a signal to neighbours that you’re participating.
- Put up a polite sign if door-knockers are an issue, and if you need quiet for a particular reason (such as a sleeping baby), including this info can help you keep the peace.
- Since its early origins over a 1000 years ago, Halloween was a time from pranks and tricks, normally to cajole food from someone. However, if it goes too far and you’ve experienced any harassment or property damage, then it becomes a matter for the authorities.
Getting spooky around the neighbourhood
Enjoying Halloween with family, friends and neighbours can be a great experience. Here’s some ways to get started:
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Depending on where you live, there may be particular streets or designated areas for Halloween celebrations and trick or treating. Lots of neighbourhoods have groups online (such as Facebook groups, or on apps like Nextdoor), or you can ask around at your local stores, cafes or community groups for advice.
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Halloween decorations can be a sign of involvement, although not a guarantee. Some houses will also leave treats in an accessible area outside the house or on the street. Take care when entering when entering someone else’s property and generally don’t wander into private spaces, such as backyards.
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If you’re going trick or treating with children, it’s a good idea to provide supervision and to reiterate safety precautions, such as taking care when crossing the road and washing hands regularly.
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Whether you’re handing out treats or receiving them, it’s a good idea to stick to pre-packaged and less perishable items. Having something healthier options in the mix will avoid sugar overload, and of course remember to take care of dental hygiene whenever there are sugary lollies in the mix.
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Take a hand sanitiser and practice sensible social distancing where possible.
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Don’t forget to take away any rubbish with you.
Getting spooky around the home
Part of the fun of Halloween is in the theme, so if you’re planning to dress up or decorate the home, follow these tips to stay safe and keep all your scares ghost and ghoul related:
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For any powered novelty decorations, take care to avoid items with unsecured button batteries, which can be a health hazard. These are often found in ‘Dollar Store’ products or items purchased online, where standards can be compromised.
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Take care to use powered or battery devices under supervision only and pay attention to any usage instructions. Leaving devices running over long periods can present a fire or safety hazard.
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Make sure costumes are age-range appropriate with no choking hazards. Particular care is needed with costume contact lenses, which have been known to cause eye injury. Testing novelty make up before use for skin reaction is also a good idea.
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If pumpkins are expensive in your area, carve a pineapple or turnip instead.
Pumpkin carving, best value for money treats, costume design ideas… What are your tips for a good Halloween in Australia? Leave a comment below!