Personal

Halloween in September

Halloween's definitely getting bigger in the UK. How can I tell? I've just had the first knock at the door in five years of living in Woodbridge.

But to be honest we're still really pathetic about it over here. Sure the shops have had their merchandise since the end of the back-to-school season, but have you seen pumpkins or witches' hats elsewhere? I took a detour on the way home from work today to try and find some. I found one house with three lit pumpkins, that was all.

Now maybe Woodbridge is a proud town that rises above these things. Maybe we're not 'that kind of people' over here. Or maybe the UK is much better at ignoring Halloween than some admit.

One month ago (was it really that far back?) I was in America. Even then, almost every single house (no, for once that's not an exaggeration) was decked out with ghosts, witches and goblins. "In some cases it seems to be a cross between Halloween and Harvest," Joanna said in an attempt to rationalise the behaviour.

I was really taken aback. The campaigners over here organising their alternative Halloweens will have to start year-round campaigns if they're going to cope.

Because just as surely as profit comes from high sales, and UK arms follow the lead of their US parents, we will be celebrating Halloween in September.