Tips to Deal with Those that Hate Halloween and Want to Make it Something Evil

If I were to write an advertisement for a Self-Defense Course against Halloween Grouches, it would go something like this.
Are you tired of the killjoys in your Life? Are you being mentally attacked and robbed of every little bit of harmless fun by those that see something wicked and evil in everything that makes your life just a little easier to endure? Have you been preached and nagged almost into submission by those fanatical "believers" that try to tell you that you are harming your immortal soul and those of your Children by enjoying and participating in the Halloween Enjoyments? Do you feel forced into celebrating the Church Version of "Halloween" with Veggie Tales Characters and Bible Characters instead of the Halloween Monsters and fun you adore? If you have answered yes to any of these Questions you need to attend the first ever Self-Defense Course against Halloween Grouches. Requirements: an open mind, a willingness to learn, a couple of pencils, a notebook and your own good judgment.

If you are reading on I am going to assume you are one of those still able to think for yourself and are in general fed up with the Nay Sayers and Negativity Clowns in your life just like I have been for many Years.
The bad news here is that they are everywhere. It is almost as if all you have to do is turn around and there is another killjoy waiting to bounce on you. If you happen to be content, happy and heavens forbid even smiling, it is their personal mission to wipe that smile and joy straight of your face and out of your heart. They are in general miserable people that believe they have no right to be happy here on earth or that everything is hard, horrid and evil, and they won't stop until you are saved from your own foolishness as well.

The good news on the other hand is that once you have decided to be happy and content as often as possible and you will no longer allow others to ruin your fun for you, it is fairly easy to identify the "happiness challenged" and either ignore them or turn things around on them.

Chapter 1 - Halloween is from the Devil

Whoever came up with that solution is truth challenged or misled at best. I have met many people that really did believe that since we dress up as Monsters, Evil Characters or even Demons it is that we wish to align our-selves with the Devil. They have been taught by fanatical "believers" that it is against God and that you will go to hell for this.
If you have been "enlightened" by those please listen very careful and take notes.

Halloween or actually All Hallows Eve was never a devil praising night. In actually the difference was quiet the truth. It was believed that All Hallows *old English word for sainted or saint* Eve was the time when the Veil between the world of the living and the world of the Dead was the thinnest and that spirits of our Deceased either good or bad could travel upon the face of the earth. They further believed that during this night we could run into evil Spirits (your equivalent of Demons) which would try to turn us bad, kill us and take us to the Underworld or play tricks on us. For that reason the common folks would dress up as Monsters and Demons to confuse the Citizens of the Underworld and make them believe that they were one of their own ranks and therefore leave them and theirs alone. Which is were the tradition of "dressing up" came from. That night was also the Night were the Druid Priests would praise their God(s) and honor their Dead. They were thankful for they ripe harvest and would pray for a safe winter to come and a healthy new year. They would further more pray for a plenty full crop. All Hallows Day (Nov 1^st) is also the Pagan New Year.
The next time you are confronted with this, teach them instead and be assured in your own mind that you are indeed not doing anything evil, but are joyously celebrating what you have received, honor those gone before you and are celebrating life while discouraging "evil" to touch your family.

Reference 1 for history and Reference 2 Origin. If that is not enough proof, just google All Hallows Eve and you will get a whole slew of History related Articles. I would say, if the proof given usually is in the written word and that you can point to it. Then you have plenty to go on.

Chapter 2. - It is commercial, created by the Candy Factory.

I can not argue the fact that everything these days is about making money and spending money, but Halloween is what you make of it. For safety reasons you should no longer give trick or treater's homemade candy. Too much bad has been done with it, but if you don't want to give out candy other Treats work just as well. You may consider fun Halloween pencils, Quarters, little 99 cent toys, gift certificates to McDonalds or other Fast Food places. The tradition of giving Candy on Halloween however was not invented by the Candy Factories. It was around again since the beginning of Time. During Samhain (later renamed All Hallows Eve or Halloween, with tons more names) the people would set out food products mainly sweets for their dead and give little sweets or sweetbreads to the kids and yes even adults going from door to door in Costumes. By coming to knock on the Doors of their cottages, houses and Castles they drove away evil. They also believed that just in case it was an evil Spirit at their door they would be mollified by the gift of food and go away. A generous spirit was always rewarded.

Think of it this way, they got paid for a service provided. After all they "drove" the evil spirits away.
The next time you hear someone say it is created by the Candy Manufacturers and that is truly their only complaint (it usually never is in their miserly ways), you can point out to them that other treats are acceptable and they have the choice not to participate. You for one are more then happy to give a little for being entertained by all the fun little and big Custom Parade. How fun, you get your own personal fashion show, brought right to your doorstep and your house gets blessed at the same time. Side Note, if you want to trick them in return instead, please don't cause any harm to anyone and remember that some of the littlest ones don't quiet understand yet what they are doing.

Chapter 3 - I hate all the noise and just want to be left alone.

I understand that it can be rather noisy on Halloween, but believe me you can handle it much better if you join in on the fun instead of being the grouchy bystander. Just think you can get out of your own miserable skin for once and be the person you always wanted to be. You can be as glamorous as you want to be or as scary looking as you wish. Always wondered what it would be like to be a pony, a dog, a cat why not dress up like one. Want to be a Movie Star, here is your chance. Wondered what Frankenstein felt like (let me assure you he is a pain anywhere near my nuts and bolts) why not become your own version. If you absolutely want to be left alone, just turn off the porch lights and put a sign on the door , out of candy or sleeping do not disturb! You may get one or two knocks but most will leave you alone if you don't have lights on in the house.
You are missing out however. That is one thing you have to explain to the Grouch as well.
The World is not about them, nobody cares if they don't join in. Probably we are even better off without having to look at their sour puss faces. Let those that know how to have fun enjoy the night! This night is for fun.

Chapter 4 - I am / you are too old for Halloween!

I have no Idea how often I have heard that one. I have been trick or treating with my Daughter until the year before last. She was 15 Years old at that point and I was 35. I would go dressed up and right up to the Doors with her. Too old? You are just as old as you feel inside and if you personally feel that you can still have fun, then go for it. I personally believe that by having fun with the younger ones it keeps you young inside and if you have raised your kids correctly will bond you even closer with them. Just think they can still "play around" with their Parent. Besides, you like Candy too right?

My Daughter and I know have started since last year to give out candy. We make the Parents come up and get candy from us as well. The kids actually giggle when it happens and most Parents after being reluctant seem to light up inside. I think it is just fair and I don't mind spending the extra couple of dollars.

The next time someone tries to tell you that you or your kids are too old for trick or treat, you can do one of two things. If you are starting to believe that you don't want to walk around anymore, then dress up and become the candy giver. Everyone needs to take their turn sooner or later. Make sure to take a night before so and walk around and enjoy all the Halloween Decorations with your kids. You don't want to miss out on that.
Or if you are not ready yet, tell them that this is fine but you are not really human and you are an *you make something up* and you really are just a little kid in your world. Give them a big Cheshire cat smile, turn around and strut off. You can even give a jaunty

Wave of the hand and a wiggle of "your Tail" and keep going. The reaction will be an unbelieving look and maybe even a shake of the head. But you will be given up as a hopeless cause and won't have to deal with the "too old" person any more.

Chapter 5 - I just can not afford to waste my money on Customs and Candy

If it is a legit reason and not just an excuse because they are too stingy then I can understand it, however I am a Person that sees every obstacle as an opportunity to get over my own limitations.

If it is stated with a tone of regret, you usually can tell, then you may offer to help out a little with the candy Part. The 99cents stores have big treat bags and you can find amazing treats once you put your head to it in garage sales. If all else fails you can make bead bracelets for the girls and stickers for the boys. You can get beads and string at Wal-mart for a huge amount for $9.99 and the string is right around $2.00, Stickers are anywhere from 49cents on up. Customs - easy use something you already have at home and moderate it a little. Use make up to create a mask and some accessories you have laying around. See Part 1 in the Series for more Ideas.

I am sure that you have heard plenty more excuses, reasons etc. Some people are just plain miserly or down in the mouth. For those you can just friendly and nicely, but firmly state with a straight look and stare in their eyes.
" I am really sorry you don't like Halloween, to each their own, but I love Halloween and have fun with it. If you don't like others having fun, that is fine, but I don't want to hear anymore about it. I am celebrating and you can see me after Halloween. Since I don't want to offend your sensibilities, I guess we won't be talking until November. See you then. "Walk away and don't look back.

Remember, it is your life and you don't owe an explanation to anyone. If you are an adult, then please start acting like one, which means reserving the right from time to time to act like a "child". You have the Brain Power to make up your own mind and if it isn't evil to you, then why do you listen to others. The best thing is to stay away from those that won't listen to reason or just make you miserable. There is enough negativity in the World without borrowing problems.

See you in the final Part!