Life in Poland

Halloween 2011

SDC12017What a difference a year makes. Halloween has taken over Poland. More parties, more candy, more decorations and did I mention more parties?  I feel so special, as if it were all just for me. Maybe I should have been Narcissus for Halloween instead of a pirate.

If you  recall,  I had mixed feelings about Halloween last year here in Poland. As I have stated many times, I do not desire to import Halloween to Poland. I just want to share my childhood holiday with my half-Polish/half-American children. Traditions give our lives meaning, don’t you think?

Last year, Lizzie’s class at pre-school was the only group to celebrate Halloween and the only reason they celebrated Halloween at all was because we taught a Halloween lesson as requested by the teacher. Our lesson was a big hit complete with a story book, and art project and even learning a few basic but essential Halloween phrases in English such as “boo”, “pumpkin” and “trick or treat”.  It was a lot of fun, but one family didn’t think so and took their child out of the classroom for this lesson.

10312011262I wonder what those parents did this year because Lizzie’s pre-school is bursting with Halloween. The whole school is decorated and they had a big, organized party on Friday. Even the “lunch ladies” dressed up. As the sign says “Hapy Halloween” everyone! 

Here is one decoration from pre-school that we particularly liked…(bravo to the teachers)…

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…and here is our home version. It is an easy peasy Halloween “pillow”. You need a brown paper bag, some paint, crayons or chalk, some glue or staples and some old newspaper to stuff inside.SDC12023SDC12024

On the radio today they were talking about the origins of Halloween and whatnot. It seems Halloween is not so far away from Polish traditions according to the guest. They also talked about what to do if some little scary creatures show up on your doorstep this evening – trick-or-treating protocol, so to speak. Many people called in to say that they are prepared for trick-or-treaters with bowls of candy on stand-by. Other people called in to say that it is a borrowed holiday and kind of artificial to celebrate it. One guy stated that he doesn’t have anything for the kids and he will choose the trick if need be. Oh, how I was 10312011264dreaming about this very guy as child. I never once encountered a house without a treat. How I dreamed about playing a trick, just once. Kids in Poland will get the chance I never had. Kids, make it a good one!

We had a party as usual and now our tradition stands 3 years long. We not only had a party at home, but we also went trick-or-treating. That is part of  the Halloween celebration that I need help with and once again for the third year in a row, our neighbors rocked. Thank you neighbors for making our day.

pre trick-or-treating party2011 198 

Halloween 2011 004

      I am a very scary pirate and Rosie is a very scary dinosaurHalloween 2011 001

Lizzie as a very scary skeleton2011 181

another scary friend2011 210

we begin our trick-or-treating2011 216

pause for photo op2011 218

Hey Mister, where’d you go?…to the kitchen to get the candy2011 238

Misiu as a very flamboyant pirate2011 234

         refreshments for the guests – spider eggs and eyeball soupHalloween 2011 013 

Halloween 2011 014

2011 250

then all the little scary creature went to sleep and we could rest SDC12018

Happy Halloween!

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  • Reply
    b.
    November 1, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I was able to give out all my candy yesterday, ok, just a few little chocolate bars were left. my girlfriend from Poland is visiting right now, so it was kind of fun to watch her watch the kids – normally Halloween is not my favourite event. although with age and exposure here, I may be becoming mellower… watch me – next year I will be bursting with excitement way before it starts…

  • Reply
    Robin
    November 1, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    So wonderdful! We were visited by many ghosts, pirates, wizards and warriers yesterday. And still remember stuffing the umbrella cover to make a kitty-cat tail for my son Benjamin… So good your children have a chance to experience this holiday.

  • Reply
    Stardust
    November 1, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I love your costumes!!! Very creative, and I like the fun of Halloween. I spend a day with my friend in Chelsea Market, there were lots of fun for kids and adults.

  • Reply
    czarownica
    November 1, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Same as Star – love your costumes:)

  • Reply
    Lois B
    November 1, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Everyone looks fabulous! Love the spider eggs.

  • Reply
    Unknown
    November 1, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    The paper bag pumpkins and your eyeball soup rock!

  • Reply
    Kasia
    November 2, 2011 at 3:35 am

    I was hoping to see the police officer:) Great looking costumes, decorations and food! I should convert my deviled eggs into spider eggs next time I make them.

  • Reply
    Chris
    November 2, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    b.- We didn't get into the Halloween spirit until we had children. I am so happy to share Halloween with them. We, unfortunately, do not have any chocolate left :(Robin – Except for our banda, nobody visited us. That's ok, the kids ate the trick-or-treaters' candy too :)Stardust – The costumes were all store bought. We are not very crafty around here. When I was at college, I loved to spend Halloween at work at the mall. The kids would trick or treat the stores and then mill around outside. So nice.Czar – Thanks :)Lois B- I cannot take credit for the spider eggs. That is the traditional Halloween dish of our neighbor.Bee- I also loved the paper bag idea. I am thinking about some paper bag decorations for Thanksgiving too. The eyeball soup was also the doings of my neighbor 🙂 She's very crafty and creative.Kasia – The police officer costume made an appearance at pre-school. Lizzie decided to be something scary at home 🙂

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