The leaves are turning crunchy, orange and red as they fall from their branches. A crisp breeze is constantly lurking in the dark mornings and fast-approaching evenings as we bundle up preparing for autumn descending into winter. The months leading up to winter often pass quickly, especially for students sitting exams. What passes even quick is the care for Halloween in shops – a thing that bugs me.
Before I get attacked or called a Bah-Humbug, I do love Christmas. While I am not a Christian, my idea of Christmas is spending time with family, enjoying home-cooked meals and staying in my pyjamas all day. I love the cosy feeling of getting under a bunch of blankets and watching The Gremlins.
This sentiment is being ruined for me with the annoyance I feel every year when I see Christmas sweeties and toys appearing earlier and earlier in shops. This year, I saw Christmas-themed chocolates on the shelves in September! And guess what, not a Halloween product was in sight – not even anything Halloween orange coloured.
I am one of the people who simply ceases to function in the heat. And I’m talking about Scottish heat here, which at best is still under 30 degrees. I hate the clammy feeling, headaches, and sunburn it brings. Although, I do like not having to wear jumpers and jackets constantly.
Getting back on topic, I thrive in the cold, rainy, icy nights of autumn and winter. The dark nights driving home from university calm me with no sun blinding me, everything feels peaceful. I also love all things Halloween, so pair this with the weather and it’s my favourite time of the year. Could it be because I’m an October baby? Who knows, and who cares.
So, when Halloween gets pushed aside in supermarkets, when I have to rake through the already tiny selections of decorations, themed clothes and sweeties, I get fed up. Yes, I’m aware that some stores focus on Halloween all-year-round, but I’m talking about your average Asda or Tesco.
I also want to make clear in this article – I am well aware that there are much much more serious issues in the world today. I myself have more to think about than stores not stocking pumpkin-shaped tealights. Nevertheless, I feel that this piece will resonate with fellow Halloween-lovers annoyed at the lack of appreciation shown for the holiday.
Often, I wonder how American exchange students feel. I know many families in the US go all-out for the holiday, so are they surprised (disappointed even) by the lack of front garden spooky scenes and carved pumpkins? Each year the tradition shrinks a little more. People can’t afford to put effort into the holiday, either financially or time-wise. I get that, I do. It’s why I wish stores put as much effort into Halloween as they do Christmas.
Anyway, rant over – please don’t take this article too seriously. I’m still making the most of Halloween, and if you are too then enjoy it when it comes!
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.com
Fourth year student journalist studying Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism Studies.
Words at Brig, The Daily Evergreen, Alloa Advertiser, Discovery Music Scotland, and The Mourning Paper.
