'guising at Halloween

A sample of the kid's candy- Scottish style!

One of our favorite holidays back home has always been Halloween. There is so much to get excited about - carving pumpkins, putting up decorations, figuring out costumes and of course the candy! Being in Scotland this year we didn't know if it was going to be a big deal or not. As it turns out "'guising" , or "trick or treating" as we know it, seems to be growing in popularity- but nowhere near the level we're used to back home.

Back at Apple Blossom School there would be a tremendous build-up to the Halloween Carnival, and each classroom would be frantically rounding up supplies and volunteers for the big night. Instead of a Halloween carnival, Friday night I went with Ainsley to the Halloween Disco at her school. I kind of laughed to myself at the thought of a Halloween "disco", with visions of 70's-era polyester suits and thumping Bee-Gees music. Oddly enough, I wasn't that far off. The disco, which only lasted an hour, was actually a big dance for P1-P3 students (K-2 for those back in the states). Sure enough, we entered the gym to find a DJ spinning the finest sounds of some type of "euro-pop"/Disney soundtrack, twirling and spinning lights, and 150 kids dancing, or at least jumping up and down like spooky pogo-sticks. Conversation was out of the question, unless you went to the adjoining room where they were selling bags of sweets or glow sticks. I'm not sure how I feel about a rave for 7 and 8 year olds, but it was certainly a sight. Ainsley wasn't much in a dancing mood, so we headed home a little early- glow sticks in hand, reminiscing about past Halloweens and planning for the real thing on Monday.

Ainsley as Hedwig the owl.

On Monday night we headed out for the big event. I think we were the first people in Scotland on the streets however, as it was a good half-hour before we saw any other "guisers". We crossed the street to visit a larger housing development, one with many more kids and seemingly better options for sweets. After interrupting a few dinners, it turns out we were a bit early, but not so early that people weren't ready for us. 

One of the aspects of Halloween I really enjoyed, is that when people answer the door they expect something for their candy. Most of the time kids are expected to tell a joke or sing a song before they're given sweets. I thought back to too-many instances where teenagers, who weren't dressed up, would simply shove their pillow cases towards you and stare. I like the idea of earning your loot. The kids were armed with a few jokes, and worked their way through the neighborhood like old pro's. It was also interesting how many homes were handing out peanuts in the shell - "just take a handful", homemade treats and unwrapped candies. We're so guarded back home in the states (although our neighborhood is fantastic) and have heard all the Halloween terror stories of tainted candy over the years, that such a sense of trust was a nice change. No need to x-ray your candy, or peanuts, tonight we hoped.

Everybody got into face-painting.

Hedwig and "crazy guy". (Sounds like a TV buddy-cop show). Will chose crazy-guy over skeleton goalie and skeleton schoolboy. He said to me "I bet I'm the only crazy guy in Scotland". (Its too easy- I'll let you fill in your own joke here)

There may not have been as many kids on the street, and more houses with the lights out than we're accustomed to, but dressing up and filling your bags with sweets can't be beat no matter where you are.