More foolish than ghoulish

IDID intend to write about UK politics, but I couldn’t find an interesting or controversial ‘hook’ to hang an article on. Everything around Downing Street and Parliament is so stable right now.

Instead, I’d like to bring up a subject that tends to divide my readers into two camps. Halloween.

One lot say, “We agree with you wholeheartedly, Phil. You really cut to the chase, got to the nub of the matter and skewered the subject! Yes. I will have another large port and lemon, thanks. But six is definitely my limit”.

The other bunch tend to say, “What’s the matter, Phil? Lose a fiver and find 10 pence?”

Cards on the table. Halloween is an over-hyped, commercialised excuse for children to knock on doors, begging for sweets while dressed as scary creatures like vampires, ghouls, werewolves and Mark Drakeford in that suit he bought on the weekly from Burtons The Tailor in 1967.

The little uns love Halloween, thanks to films and TV shows from across the pond, where Halloween is one of the biggest dates in the calendar. Of course, they don’t celebrate Whit Monday, do they?

But I’ve never understood why every year, parents buy Halloween costumes for their children that may not fit them the following year, so they have to be replaced.

That’s the costumes – not the children!

In 2022, when everyone’s worried about mortgages, energy costs, rent, food and fuel price increases – a time when food banks are struggling to find supplies for families who can’t afford a weekly supermarket shop – I find it astonishing that people still contemplate buying costumes, masks, confectionery and all the other not-always-cheap-but-oftencheerless stuff associated with October 31.

And although we‘re all aware of the environmental damage that singleuse plastic causes, mountains of plastic pumpkins will get thrown out next week.

I’d like to think a certain percentage

Phil doesn’t understand why every year, parents buy Halloween costumes for their children that may not fit them the following year, so they have to be replaced.

will be recycled. But, not being a gambling man, I wouldn’t bet on it.

If you’re ‘celebrating’ Halloween, I trust you have a safe, enjoyable time.

Personally, I’ll be at home with the curtains drawn and the lights out – and not just to save money on my electricity bill!