My first Halloween - New Concept of Ceremony

Before I live in Austin, Holloween seemed like just something about pumpkins and costumes to me. Three months later, I was still feeling strange about fever of Holloween Day. What on earth is Holloween? Fortunately, I happened to read some articles about Holloween history in America a few days ago before Holloween Day. It was likely to be similar to Asia's ceremony for appreciating fruitful harvest and treating ancestors' spirits praying for taking care of their own descendants. “Is it so great day?.” Finally, the day has come, and I spent the Holloween Day in a specific place and a specific situation as a mom. I like to share my Holloween experiences and a few findings on what made me step closer to American culture.

I was invited to the day care center for Holloween event on Friday morning. I had been confused about what to choose for my kid’s costume and other kids’ presents until a day ago. I hesitated and chose candies and stickers for other kids wondering if these gifts were proper for Holloween day. On Friday morning in the day care center’s parking lot, I took out a brand new costume from my bag that my son chose at the Party City. In the car, my son was transformed into a car racer. To my son, Holloween day might be the day he can put on what he likes. He looked really thrilled to put on the clothes. When he walked into the class, a lot of parents and his classmates welcomed him with them wearing funny and fantastic costumes such as a caterpillar, a ladybug, a fairy, a flower, a butterfly, or a cow boy etc. When I saw them, I felt that I was seeing angels from heaven. Who are those creatures, which look innocent, curious, happy? As for me, the kids’ cute and lovely transformation was the first impression of Holloween day. After 2-year-old class kids had the parade of “Trick or Treat”, their candy baskets became full. My son looked straining to understand the new situation but he was likely to feel excited immediately with presents which he got from unexpected people and unexpected places. After a minute, he began to enjoy “Trick or Treat”. I realized that he was getting used to the tradition. He seemed to assimilate into the way American children did.

Some kids remained vividly in my memory. My son's best American girl friend wore a “Snow White” costume. She acted gracefully like a real princess giving out other kids some candies she got. Usually she used to bully smaller kids, but on that morning she was different from usual days. She was learning through another case of role play through this event. A younger chinese girl did not wear Holloween costume. I asked her mother, "Why didn't she put on the clothes?." Her mother said that her daughter just wanted her favorite casual pinky clothes. The literal meaning of transformation might be over her head. For her, putting on her favorite clothes was the best way to start the day. It was impressive that her mother respected her daughter's own decision even though she is just 2 year old. Finally, I remember a boy isolated from cheerful groups. Some parents do not take care of their children as much as others. His parents did not preprare his costume. Also, they did not show up in the event. I felt so sad for the boy's lonely situation. Not fullfilling his or her duty required on the position is a sin. I don't care if it is just a matter of capacity or a matter of attitude. Anyway, if you cannot meet the requirement of something, you should not take the position. I felt uncomfortable while watching the boy who hurts.

There was another interesting finding on that day. The older the kids were, the more like human being their costumes were. For example, in a toddler and 2-year-old class, animal costumes were prevalent. In a 3-year-old class and a 4-year-old class, superstars and characters were popular. I thought clothes showed accurately the degree of socialization of those kids. In addition, this event contributed to socializaion with other families. Not only children, but parents also got together to see and do “Trick or Treat” together. By spending the event together, parents could break an ice between them. I thought this was really joyful and cheerful festival for all people.

In Korea, we also have some memorial days for dead ancestors. It is twice a year for all dead ancestors. In addition, we also get together to treat them on a specific day when the person died. However, all things we do are very calm and serious. It is just a procedural ceremony rather than a joyful festival. Here, in America, their customs for the same purpose are pretty enjoyable and lots of fun. Also, the events in Korea is just for its own family, so they are shared within its extended family; on the contrary, ones in America are directed toward the world. They share their performances and feelings with all people, even with someone who they met first time for Holloween. Gathering together and experiencing exciting performance with their own colorful costumes are likely to make people feel united and release stress. In Korea, we do not have these kinds of festivals people can throw out their stress and pressure.

The first experience for Holloween in a day care center was very awkward one to me. My child might remember that day just as a special one for candies and costumes. Moreover, I had no idea of what I should do on that morning, so I just followed children with my camera. Now I am uploading and arranging pictures I took. While I am looking American children and adults’ happy faces on the pictures, I get to decide that I will accept this day as a great festival that I can open my mind toward the American society just to be fun together. It would be the first memory that my family enjoyed together with Americans. Maybe next year, I might be able to enjoy Holloween by myself feeling less confusion.