I've always been of the opinion that American traditions should stay in America. When no valentines card came my way, I was never fazed, celebrating Valentines Day is an American tradition. We don't go for that kind of thing in Australia. My staunch belief and Aussie patriotism got me through MANY YEARS of nothin' on Valentines Day.
I get Valentines gifts now and have stopped voicing my opposition to the concept. What's the big deal? Whats wrong with showing someone you love them?
Oh, how easily I am swayed! Put a card in a red envelope and wrap up a bit of bling and I'm converted. Fickle, shallow consumerism? It could be read that way... I can see that. And I was SO against it.
Now I'm fighting the Halloween tradition, which is AMERICAN, not Australian. Or is it? I've been looking into the 'real meaning of Halloween' and besides sites which declare that it's a way of worshiping Satan (from a group condemning Halloween) to a dedicated Halloween site which gives it's history as dating back 2000 years to Celtic times. The Druids celebrated All Hallows Eve, the day before All Saints Day, to honour the dead. I like this. We're back in the part of the world where my ancestors lived their lives. And honouring those who lived before us and contributed to the way we live our lives is a good thing. But a Druids' ceremony is a far cry from plastic pumpkins and ghoulish zombies. What happened?
I think the bottom line, the profit line, is to blame for the way all our traditional celebrations have gone.
Anyway, even though I could go on about American commercialism taking the meaning away from traditional celebrations, I won't.
I will say, however, that I have given in... slightly. The kids' preschool/daycare had a Halloween party on Friday. We happened to have some dress ups that sufficed...
Tom really wanted a party today and so we said at 4 o'clock we'd have a Halloween party. I do find it hard to resist an opportunity to set the table for a party. Who can say no to Champers for the grown ups and green water for the kids?
It also meant that the kids were occupied colouring in pictures for the decorations... for about 2o minutes...
Rod had a Halloween party at work on Friday afternoon (well, I admit it, Australia seems to have well and truly adopted the... tradition? Well, maybe the excuse for a party) which was catered for and he brought home some amazingly decorated patty cakes.
And these were the ones that were left after all the good ones were gone!
So we had a party together, just the four of us, on the back deck. We've got funny kids. They are funny, they truly are comedic and make us laugh intentionally. They're good company... most of the time.
Does this mean we get a party at the end of October every year?
I hope so.
It's also a good reminder that Christmas is nearing... only 55 days to go, you realise.
ho ho ho
