Europeens, how is Holloween "treated" in your country?

[tehet]

Kids go knocking doors and sing a song for candy ^^

Lampion required

[Phil Airtime]

In the UK, It seems to have taken over from Guy Fawkes Day. You rarely, if ever, see "penny for the guy" any more. It's all scream masks and crap like that.

Alton Towers near here had its fireworks banned because local residents complained. They've replaced them with something called "the Scarefest". Rather unfortunately, the Scarefest last night was truncated by a real scare involving the place catching fire.

One of the things that p!sses me off about Hallowe'en is the fact that you can't turn on the telly or radio without encountering really unpleasant trailers for imported American films like "Saw". It's rather disconcerting driving down the road and being blasted out of your seat by audio of someone screaming and begging for their life. It's all so commercial and leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.

Trick or treating was a big thing from the US a few years back, but it's died down now because parents aren't willing to let their kids go round the estate knocking on random people's doors. Here, the little ones from next door get into costume and knock on with their parents standing just out of sight, but no others. In some areas, it's used as an excuse by scallies to say "give us a tenner or we'll scratch your car".

[mostwanted]

I've never celebrated it, but some people do. It's very commercial, but aren't all holidays these days? It's not big, but it's not going away either.

[crypto178]

Here in Belgium it's the opposite trend, 10 (or so) years ago it was like it didn't exist, and now more people celebrate it every year.

[Cochise]

holloween sucks bring on dec 25th

[PartisanEntity]

Unfortunately it seems to be on the rise in Austria, due to efforts by the world of commerce and business in collaboration with media (TV, movies). It really has nothing to do with Austrian culture, and only started to become noticeable something like 7-8 years ago. I hope people will grow out of it, but I doubt it.

[goumples]

Halloween is my favorite holiday. What other day can i dress up, get drunk and act a fool.. oh wait, everyday ;p never mind.

[Arathorn]

Never heard of it? What is it if you don't mind explaining briefly? Thnx.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Martin%27s_Day
Although a catholic festival by origin, it's quite widespread in the Netherlands. Just like that other popular originally-catholic children's feast it's under pressure of commercialised Anglo-Saxon rip-offs, but I think (and hope) it'll hold.

[goumples]

It started with the celts:

http://www.history.com/minisites/hal...age?pageId=713

Catholics just ninjaed it like they ninjaed almost every other major holiday. If you can't convert them, assimilated them. Heh.

[damianvila]

Most holiday have gone commercial IMO. Big presents, use your money on this and that. Also the red santa cloth is part of the commercial industry (Coca Cola tm).

Hey!, I love your signature's font, do you know who did that?