Halloween Around The World

Halloween is big fun and big business in the U.S. and Canada but I wondered just how much celebrating of Halloween and November 1st, another Halloween related day, goes on elsewhere. Here in the U.S. Halloween decorations are supposedly found in 65% of American homes or work offices (only Christmas has a higher percentage of decorations.
Approximately 65 million kids between the ages of 5 and 13 will trick or treat and Halloween is the holiday when the most candy is sold here. But I set out to find out from the internet how Halloween or November 1st (All Saints Day, Grave Day or whatever it is called) is celebrated elsewhere. Relax, grab some Halloween candy (But not mine!) and read one to see how this holiday is becoming bigger every year. Besides the usual Halloween trick or treating and partying these countries do it this way:
* Latin America- In these countries, particularly Mexico, Halloween is a time to remember friends and family who have died. It starts on October 31st and ends on November 2nd. There are too many activities in these countries to mention all of them, but one is in honor of the dead. Because the celebrates believe their dead relatives will return home on Halloween night, they leave candy, photos, flowers, fresh water sand samples of the deceased person's favorite foods and drink on an altar. Hmmmmmm I want to die in Mexico...and I sure hope they know I want donuts on my altar.
* Czechoslovakia- They place chairs by the fireside on Halloween night, one chair for each living member and one for each family member's spirit. Those Czechs and Slovaks need to have more fun on Halloween.
* Hong Kong- It's called The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, a time when it is believed that spirits roam the world for tweny-four hours. To comfort those roaming ghosts Hong Kongers sometimes burn pictures of fruit ot money, believing that the images will reach the dead and bring comfort to them. Er...I wonder if HK husbands or wives burn their mothers-in-laws pictures on October 31st. Well, it's one way to get rid of her face forever...
* Austria- Some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on a table before going to bed on Halloween night. They believe that the items will welcome back the dead souls to earth. I just hope those Austrians don't bring back Mariah Carey's dead career. Her lousy voice could wake up all the dead.
* France- Unlike much of the world, France does not celebrate Halloween. I think this is to show the French obstinacy and utter lack of imagination. Hehe And those are two of the better French qualities.
* Sweden- The Swedes milk Halloween for all they can get even though they really don't celebrate it at all.. 'Alla Helgons Day" is a week of shortened work days for everyone in Sweden. The kiddies get off a holiday too.
* England- Some kids in rural England still sing the time honored "Punkie Night Song" as they go door to door to ask for candy and carry a large "punkie" made out of bedroots. Hmmmmmm I think those English kids should be drug tested!
* Germany- Who else but those Germans could have the custom on Halloween of putting away all their knives on Halloween night. They do this to not give the spirits weapons to do harm. But history tells us the live Germans themselves have used knives and more to start plenty of wars. * Japan- Their Halloween festival is called "Obon"(It takes place in July and August instead of Oct 31st), one dedicated to the spirits of their ancestors. Special foods are prepared and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. A fire is lit every night during the festival to show the dead ancestors where their relatives can be found. Ha! Most relatives I know only want to borrow money when they find you. Better blow out those lantern candles and hide, Japan!!
Ok now You have your choice of Halloween customs. They all sound interesting to me. Happy Halloween