In England we have halloween, all the card shops and even the supermarkets have costumes for sale and pumpkin shaped this that and the other.

No-one decorates their house like the americans do, though a few small children will dress up and go door to door, but most people do not answer.

This isn't just because their are mean old scrooges but in england their has been developing for sometime a yob culture, and you will get teenage kids going round not even dressed up and shouting trick or treat and then throwing eggs or flour etc.

On my was through our local town around 11 pm this evening I saw yound adults (18-25) out drinking whilst wearing little devil horns and that is the extent of their dressing up.

Many parents are uncomfortable with their children knocking on the doors of strangers and I suppose also the malaise when no-one is actually answering the door. I think, If I had children, I would get together with a group of other mums of children of a similar age and organise a little party at someones house with scary themed foods and some decorations and party games. Much safer for the kids and the assorted parents could share the cost of the party.

However no-one likes it when children knock on your front door wearing a bin bag and a 50p plastic mask and expect to be rewarded with treats