Halloween is nearly here, but in France, it's not that evident. Very few shops sell any holiday items and there's certainly no mention in the media.
And that's just fine.
I am perfectly happy for Halloween to be an American specialty and I'm very glad that I have this fun cultural tradition to share with my kids.
We've been planning a party this week-not a huge one, but plenty big.
We got our jack-o-lanterns carved yesterday:
And that's just fine.
I am perfectly happy for Halloween to be an American specialty and I'm very glad that I have this fun cultural tradition to share with my kids.
We've been planning a party this week-not a huge one, but plenty big.
We got our jack-o-lanterns carved yesterday:
On Sunday, we made a simple, but reasonably cute, Halloween "tree" with painted branches:
The kids made all the little treat bags and had fun decorating each one differently:
I've also been downloading stuff off the internet. One site had some really nifty retro Halloween artwork that I just loved- for example:
I've also downloaded plenty of Halloween music for the party. I tried some of it out on the kids today in the car. They had never heard 'The Monster Mash' before and I told them it was a song you HAVE to know if you are a US citizen. It's the law.
7 comments:
List of music please!!!!, I have nothing...though it may stay that way anyway given that the party is tomorrow and I have an entire two hours free between now and then, other than the time I will be spending sleeping. I think that would be a good idea. I know it's halloween and all, but I don't want to scare any children THAT badly.
List of music please!!!!, I have nothing...though it may stay that way anyway given that the party is tomorrow and I have an entire two hours free between now and then, other than the time I will be spending sleeping. I think that would be a good idea. I know it's halloween and all, but I don't want to scare any children THAT badly.
I'm actually quite missing making costumes and decorating the house this year - I love Halloween! ;)
And Monster Mash rocks! (Thanks for reminding me! I'll have to download it for the kids!)
Happy Halloween, and have a great party!!
Happy Halloween to you all. Love the pumpkins.
Here in deepest,darkest Surrey we live very close to one of the largest American Comminuty Schools in the UK so the area has a large American expat community and our local shops reflect this bigtime. Halloween comes days before the 5th Novemeber which is Guy Fawkes (Gun Powder Plot to blow up parliment) night with bonfires and fireworks. Somewhere inbetween all this is the ancient celtic fertility festival Beltane which now seems to be a combination of both.
Guy Fawks I grew up with but Halloween was a new one for me and I now know to keep a bag of goodies at the door on the 31st Oct. I do get shirty though when hulking great teens lurk out of the gloom and look disdainfully at the offering and ask for money instead! Also put a moritorium on time - any doorbell ring after 9pm goes unanwsered.
My American niece over here on secondment (Dont' ask..we are a very multicultural family!) was delighted to find all the familiar accutrements inthe shops.
Have a wonderful time.
Yes! The monster mash!
Hey--there is a recipe called Butterfinger eyeballs. Google it. I think I'm making them for Saturday for some friends.
Happy Halloween! (ps the stores here already have Christmas stuff out.)
It was a graveyard smash!
Cool pumpkins, by the way - we need to carve ours tonight.
I love the "Monster Mash" and Boris Karloff!
I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son
The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"
They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash
Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
Now everything's cool,
Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
I'm glad that everyone had so much fun. You have to be THE coolest mother in your part of the universe. I can only imagine what an inspiration you are to all the French youngsters in the 'hood.
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