The commercialised Halloween that is currently languishing in the seasonal isle of supermarkets and pound shops has come from a complicated blend of the Celtic Festival of Samhain and the Christian All Hallows’ Eve, all with a hint of made in China stamped on the bottom.<\/p>\n
Known by the Celts as a festival of the dead, it was believed that harmful spirits and demons could be warded off by pictures of skeletons or the wearing of costumes and masks.<\/p>\n
Traditions such as bobbing for apples, Jack-O-Lanterns and trick or treating have been mixed in along the way until we have ended up with an evening of celebrations worthy of ASBO behaviour.<\/p>\n
Celebrating the 31 of October does not mean having to clutter up the house with plastic tat or go out terrorising pensioners. The throwing of eggs and flour is no more traditional than knocking on the doors of potential sex offenders begging for sweets.<\/p>\n
Tots and young children don’t have to miss out on any fun though. We asked parents with toddlers out on the streets of\u00a0 Bristol for Halloween party ideas for little ones.<\/p>\n
Michelle from Staple Hill said: \u201cOrganise a small tea party for toddlers so they can get an opportunity to socialise. It doesn’t have to be too scary. Keep it rather tame and be wary of images of death.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emma from Arnos Vale said: \u201cIf children really want to trick or treat why not arrange with other parents you know who live locally to just knock on their doors so you don’t upset neighbours.\u201d<\/p>\n
Danny from Stoke Gifford said: \u201cI don’t think I would be too keen seeing my toddler dressed up in twisted costumes even though she doesn’t really understand it. I would rather she stuck to fairy and fantasy rather than too much death and gore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsie from Southville said: \u201cI would think along the lines of a party like a birthday celebration but theme games and activities slightly to suit Halloween.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark from St. George said: \u201cI won’t allow my child to go around knocking on people’s doors so maybe play some pass the parcel games with sweets and chocolate in each layer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah from Fishponds said: \u201cAs part of a party activity children could make Halloween decorations like masks out of the back of cereal packets or decorate apples with chocolates or sweets. Lots of craft activities with glue, glitter and things to stick is usually a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darren from Bedminster said: \u201cTake the children somewhere like Wookey Hole Caves and avoid the whole having to celebrate and put up with the door going every five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The commercialised Halloween that is currently languishing in the seasonal isle of supermarkets and pound shops has come from a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bristol-news"],"yoast_head":"\n