Halloween reminds me that things are not always as they seem.  This is a tenet of magicians, a key practice on April fools day and of course a halloween concept.

Dressing up as something you are not is a fantasy, it is not real.  A lot of people find it fun and enjoy the practice.  For me it has always been a bit of a chore.

It’s the Spirit

Unlike the common Halloween practices, i.e., wearing a costume, going door to door for treats or attending parties to display your proficiency at disguise, what I like about Halloween is the festive spirit.

Even if the concept of focusing on  scary, spooky and frightening activities does not appeal to me, the idea of celebrating some exaggerated aspect of life as a societal group has merit.

Holidays are intended to be a chance to behave outside of the norm, although still within the limits of legal and repectful behaviour.

It is this opportunity for innovation, surprise and fleeting change that make the practice fun.  

Taken logically, dressing  as something you are not, playing with exploding toys (firecrackers) and giving gifts (usually candy) to strangers are outside regular behaviour.

The holiday lets us (as a group) accept, embrace and enjoy these unusual practices, largely because we know, it is just for the moment.  

And then, back to the safe and mundane.