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and Halloween is growing in popularity across Europe and in the US.
According to the National Retail Federation, US Halloween spending now exceeds $7 Billion!
Horror films, horror monsters, and the iconography of Halloween
are culturally successful because they are well-adapted to engage evolved danger-management adaptations.
Of course the scary costumes and props of Halloween are symbolic
and don’t pose any real threat; they provide safe thrills,
our love for which has roots deep in our mammalian heritage.
Infants even love to be scared in a safe context.
Do children love Halloween because it allows them to become that which scares them
or to become the heroes whom they picture as fearless?
Why do you think Halloween
is still so popular?
TWO MORE WINNERS FROM THE COMMENTERS
ON MY GUEST POST
ON CRYSTAL COLLIER'S BLOG
Crystal Collier
V R BARKOWSKI
WINS THE HALLOWEEN AUDIO BOOK
DENISE COVEY
WINS
MY OTHER HALLOWEEN AUDIO BOOK
I AM SO HAPPY YOU GUYS' NAMES
WERE DRAWN!!
Halloween is growing in popularity? Really? I'm surprised.
ReplyDeleteWith the world increasingly becoming more frightening, the more the need to make fear managable with things like Halloween. :-(
DeleteI think Halloween is popular with kids because of the candy and with adults because of the costume parties.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right! That was why I looked forward to it mostly.
DeleteFunny that we reject the idea of witches, Wicca, and other things witching, but that some people love the idea of Halloween, with it's witches, rubber masks-e.g. Scream, and other ghoulish things. It's not my favorite holiday, I think it's more of a kid's holiday, but many adults love dressing up, too. I'm not a fan of zombies, either. . .
ReplyDeleteI no longer watch the Walking Dead - too many of my favorites have died. Halloween is more a kid holiday but adults have adopted it, too!
DeleteHi Roland - congratulations to VR and Denise on their wins. I think it's over commercialised ... but it provides much amusement to many ... I'm always 'anxious' re how much expectation is put on parents to pay up etc ...
ReplyDeleteAlso now, sadly, we have the 'horror' frightening aspects by people who don't think ... spoilers ... not easy and so sad for those hurt, frightened, etc ...
Cheers - still two weeks away though ... Hilary
In Detroit where I was born, Halloween has become a night of violence where fires are set all over the poorer neighborhoods by those with only hate in their hearts and no compassion for their neighbors whose hearts are seized with fear all through the night. :-(
DeleteHalloween wasn't 'celebrated' in a big way in England when I was a child. Trick or treating was unheard of, except in American movies. Oh, how times have changed! :)
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
It's spread ... like a virus! :-)
DeleteI have several friends who are just crazy about Halloween. I think part of it is the creativity involved. They get so into costumes and decorating. I find it charming but I don't participate.
ReplyDeleteMy mother and I used to get into it just to see the cute little children scampering happily down the streets with their bags of loot! :-)
DeleteMy favorite holiday of the year. No pressure. Only fun, candy and scary stories. Congrats to the winners, Roland.
ReplyDeleteSee you this upcoming Monday! More commenters and more prizes to be awarded!
Delete