Halloween Like the Movies, Too Much To Ask For?
Let me start off by telling you that I was one of the kids who was not allowed to go Trick-or-Treating or participate in the school Halloween parties, so I DO understand those who choose not to participate in Halloween for religious reasons as well as cultural reasons. But, now as a mother myself I have decided that Halloween is something that I would like my son to be able to participate in. While I understand the religious objection, I view it as a fun activity for children to participate in as well as experiencing a sense of community. Unfortunatly last year after taking Mason trick-or-treating for the 1st time I realized that there was not much of a "sense of community" when it comes to Halloween here in Bowie.
While walking up and down the streets I found house after house with their lights off, meaning they were not participating in the city's Trick-or-Treating for the kids. At least in our section of Bowie we were lucky to find more than two or three houses on the street participating. Was Bowie ever like those cities in the movies where every house participates, all the kids are in amazing costumes with their older siblings guiding them or holding their parents hand? If you don't know what I am imagining just watch Hocus Pocus or E.T. sometime and then you'll understand.
Don't you want to give your kids a Halloween like the ones in the movies? I know that I do. I know that some people may have trouble affording the candy to give out but you can get a bag of dum-dums or something else with a large quantity from the dollar store. You could even get together with your neighbor and split the cost of a big bag.
This may seem like a silly topic but it truely saddens me when I see parents DRIVING their kid house to house because participating houses are so far apart. Not only does this take away from the experience but it makes Trick-or-Treating in the City of Bowie more dangerous. More cars on the road during Trick-or-Treating hours makes the chance of a child being hit or another type of accident that much more likely. So, please take into consideration this Halloween participating, even if it is just one bag of candy. Decorating your doorstep would make it even better!
Happy Halloween (SOON) everyone and remember that these little things really do make memories for your children, or someone elses child!
Miranda Mellin
9:57 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I grew up in Bowie in the T-section. I am 27 and my brother is 24 so it wasn't that long ago. There were tons of kids and most houses passed out candy. That was even when Tulip Gulch Haunted house was at the Torsani house. Halloween was like the movies. I have two kids 7 and 3. We have been trick-or-treating in the T-section since my oldest first Halloween. Its not as many houses but there aren't as many kids either. Some may have decided not to do it because of the lack of children. Last year was the first year I have seen the number of kids increase in our neighborhood so maybe more house will participate this year. Two thing that annoy me are 1) People who leave their lights on but don't hand out candy. My kids get all excited and walk up to a door knock and no answer its just sad. 2) Parents that drive around their kids door to door. I get driving to another neighborhood but park get out of the car and walk with your children. Not only is it bonding time with them and great exercise but it also makes it safer for the kids walking around to not have to dodge all of the cars.
Katie Fisher
10:12 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I'm 26 so I am right there with you. I remember my mom having a big bowl of candy to pass out and at the end of the night it was almost empty. The past few years I buy bags in fear that I will run out... last year we had 6 trick or treaters.. 4 of them came in a car and 1 lives two houses down. I agree that some may have stopped due to the lack of kids... but I think it needs to be like the quote from Field of Dreams (I think).. "if you build it they will come"... just another version... "if you hand it out (candy) they will come". People drive other places because they know Bowie isn't how it used to be when it comes to Halloween. It just stinks because we live in a city where Trick-or-Treating can be so easy. We are blessed with LOTS of sidewalks, houses close together, street lights, etc...
As for the lights on but no candy, agreed. It's an un-spoken rule that lights=candy house... so don't get annoyed when kids come knocking on your door...
Also, leaving bowls sitting out on the porch. I'm just going to say it.. my husband was one of those bad kids growing up that if he found one of those, unattended... the whole bowl was going in his bag. He's not the only kid that used to do it I'm sure. And, I doubt that mindset has changed. So.. just know if you leave an unattended bowl, odds are the first kid that comes without a parent will PROBABLY be taking the entire bowls contents. :)
Mimi Rauck
9:57 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I'm with you. Makes me sad to see the lights off in so many homes, too. Growing up here, Bowie was like the Halloween in the movies. I remember we would run out of candy -- no matter how much we bought -- because so many kids were coming to our door. So much fun. I still love Bowie, don't get me wrong, but we don't have the sense of community we used to have here. Halloween is a secular event -- a fun time for kids to dress up, get candy, and be kids. I love seeing the little kids at the door and being able to give them treats. What could be wrong with about that?
Katie Fisher
10:03 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Mimi, even though we were not allowed to go trick or treating my mom ALWAYS handed out candy because she felt that it wasn't fair for other kids to miss out on something because of our beliefs...
We were taken to the store and allowed to pick out a bag of something so we didn't get completely passed over.... but I agree... for me it's NOT about the negative stigmas attached to the holiday it's about the fun.
C Williams
1:50 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
I have to agree with this. As kids we didn't live in a neighborhood and my mom would drive us 15 mins over to the Bowie neighborhoods and it was awesome! I took my kids 2 years ago and I could not believe it. There were very few houses with lights on, I was so surprised. So last year we went to a different neighborhood.
Katie Fisher
8:06 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
C, that's what makes me so sad. Bowie wants to claim to be an amazing city for families to live in... but we can't even make Halloween memorable for our kids. WE CAN DO BETTER BOWIE!
I plan on sending a note to my neighbors asking if they'll consider participating in Halloween this year. I'll even buy a bag of candy for them if they'll keep their lights on for the kids! It will be worth it to make Halloween special for my son and hopefully a few other kids! Consider doing the same!
Momx4@35
10:40 am on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Moved to Bowie to stay 9 years ago. I am disappointed at the number of people who do not participate, we get few kids to our house despite our decorations and willingness to give out great candy. But our neighbors are also disappointed in the few kids who come door to door. Sometimes my daughter will get a whole unopened bag of fun size bars in her bag because so few kids are out. I always thought it was because so many churches in our area discourage Halloween. Momx4@35