AIBU to hate Halloween and Bonfire night.

I agree with Elizabeth. You don’t have to join in but kids like it,
All the usual anti American prejudice on here ! You don’t have to be “American” about it.

I agree Elizabeth ( you aren’t the Queen are you?)?

Anyway, this year we are having the grandchildren and their parents here for a Halloween Party, nice party food a few drinks and some Halloween music ( Ghostbusters/ Monster Mash/The Time Warp etc). I hate carving pumpkins but John Lewis provided me with large light up pumpkins, and M&S
With spooky tableware and banners.
Each child will have some chocolate and a present to take
home. A very few small children may call at the door, and no doubt will look very cute.
I realise this is an ideal sort of Halloween ( a bit Waltons!) but I really dislike all the gruesome stuff that’s sold, so I only do pumpkins and witches brooms, and orange and black balloons.
I had some good tips from GNers about suitable party food which helped.

Of course you’re not BU, each to their own. But I agree with Chewbacca. Hallowe’en is just one night and I’m happy to put in a bit of an effort to make it a fun one for any children who come calling. I admit to having a bit of plastic tat that comes out every year - witches, bats, spiders and webs that decorate the windows along with a carved pumpkin or two (I’m just glad we’ve moved on from the stinky turnips). I’ve a banjo playing skeleton and a dancing pumpkin that always make the little ones giggle. I’m lucky in that none of the children who’ve called on us have been badly behaved - the younger ones are always with their adults anyway. I’m not sure how many will turn out this year, but I’ve bought plenty of spooky sweets just in case - I’m sure the DGC will be happy to relieve me of any leftovers.

I must say though that I’ve always been very wary of fireworks, and I’d like to see them used for organised displays only. “Bonfire Night” seems to go on for weeks now and they can be so dangerous in the wrong hands.

The children love it and it is safer than firework night was. Pubs and clubs have events that will bring in much needed income. Nobody is forced to take part so if its not for you then ignore it and put a notice in your window so that children do not call.

Chewbacca Hand carved pumpkins are good, it’s the B&M rubbish I object to.

Only the littlies come "trick or treating" around my neck of the woods and they're always accompanied by a parent. I love seeing them dressed up and so excited to be put in the dark! Sago you'd hate my house! I don't have any plastic tat but I do have pumpkins lined up on the path to illuminate the way (takes me ages to carve them out) and I make a ghost out of 2 bamboo sticks, stick a hat on it and throw an old white bed sheet over it and put some battery operated lights up the inside. Kids have had so little to look forward to this last 18 months; why wouldn't I want to make a little effort to make them smile? It's. Just. One. Night.

No, I don't like Halloween either and as for Bonfire night, I don't dislike it but I do dislike fire works being set off for days before and afterwards because I worry about pets whose owners haven't kept them in.

They must be terrified poor things.

Children absolutely love Halloween, so I’ve got no problem with it at all, it brightens up a few weeks of Autumn for them building up to it.
I like Bonfire Night, love fireworks, I just wish it was confined to the one evening rather than random fireworks being let off beforehand. My dog isn’t bothered, which does make it easier, I feel for dogs and other animals that are frightened.

No, I feel just the same.

Don’t mind a nice firework display though on bonfire night.

Halloween now = two words.
American & tacky.

There do seem to be a lot less accidents on bonfire night now. There were so many heartbreaking tales when I was a child. I do think organised displays are best, although ours in Manchester have been cancelled because of covid.
I don't mind Halloween as most of the children who come calling are very small.

Whoops posted too early!
…. people certainly never decorated their homes, maybe the odd pumpkin.

Today our street is full of houses covered in plastic tat?.

The whole firework bonanza will kick off this weekend, all those poor pet owners.

I cannot believe families waste so much money on this rubbish.