Halloween - England Style

Many of you asked about how and if Halloween is celebrated here in England. As a whole, it really isn't. There are no decorations on houses or store fronts. Very few pumpkins. And many people do not participate in the trick-or-treating. Some think it's begging, others view it as too dangerous, etc. But, our neighbors (probably from hearing our kids go on and on about Halloweens at home) decided to get into the spirit and dress up. From left is:
Mason, Calem, Jack - Mason's best buddy and a frequent face at our dinner table,
Shayna, Zoey (in black, front, also Jack's sister and Shayna's friend) and Julia in pink, pal from school.
Jack and Zoey's 'mum' and Jer and I walked the kids around. Only about one or two houses per block had their lights on or something in the window to show they were participating. One house gave out one pound coins, much to the kids' thrill. About 10 minutes after that, another man at another house came the door with some coins. He dropped one quid (pound) into Julia's bag. The other kids smiled and held their bags open, waiting. He frowned and said, "What're you lot waiting for? I gave her a pound - you can share that! I only got fifty p (pence) left for the next group."
They weren't quite sure if he was kidding or not. When he said good night and closed the door, they discovered he wasn't!!

Owen and Keely went out with their friends too. Owen said they rang the doorbell of one house and an old Asian (what we would call Indian, from India) lady answered. Owen and his big buddies said the usual, "trick or treat!" Wide-eyed, she held up a hand, signaling for them to wait. After a minute, she came back.

And held out an entire box of cookies.

She kind of waved it at them, for them to take it. They did and she quickly closed the door. Pretty cute, you gotta admit;) And speaking of cute, take a look at these little monsters...

It's really not Halloween without chocolate eyeballs, right?

(And candy corn from home - thanks, Judy!!)