Trick-or-Treat!

Since I was a child, I’ve always loved Halloween. I love the costumes. I love the spooky decorations. I love the parties. And of course I love the candy! In fact, it is probably safe to say, that one of the first things that attracted me to my husband is his love for Halloween.

Recently Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Japan. In the weeks leading up to October 31st, it is common to see children dressed up in costumes for a Halloween party and shops decorated with Jack-o-lanterns. Unfortunately, there is one custom hasn’t made its way to Japan, and that’s Trick-or-Treating.

Just after dark on October 31st, my sister and I would put on the costumes that my mom had made or bought for us and go out Trick-or Treating. With our special bags (usually the biggest ones that we could find) in hand, we would walk around our neighbourhood collecting candy. I was always a bit shy at the first few houses and usually let my sister ring the doorbell. When the person answered, we would hold out our candy bags and shout, “TRICK-OR-TREAT!” and they would drop some candy or chocolate into our bags. My mom would wait for us at the end of the person’s driveway (usually chatting with other parents) and we would run back and show her what we got. Then we were off to the next house.

Some people would put up elaborate decorations around their yard, and it was like walking into a haunted house. It could be a little scary, but as we knew there was candy waiting for us, so we were always brave enough to run up and ring the doorbell. As we got older, my mother stopped coming with us, and my sister and I would go out with our friends. Eventually we got too old and had to give up Trick-or-Treating, but that hasn’t stopped me from wearing a costume every year.

I have such wonderful memories of Trick-or-Treating with my sister, and I hope that the custom catches on in Japan so that I can take my son out someday. Until then, we will have to be satisfied with dressing up at home and going to Halloween parties.