Today's Halloween customs are thought to have been influenced by folk customs and beliefs from the Celtic-speaking countries, some of which have pagan roots, and others which may be rooted in Celtic Christianity

If you celebrate it - or take part in any way ... WHY?

I grew up in London in the fifties and don't recall ANYTHING connected with Halloween - we had Firework Night in Nov and that was it until Xmas.

Is it just another American 'import' like 'mothers' day'? Just another reason to put more money into the coffers of the likes of Hallmark Cards and purveyors of Chinese tat? Or does it hold a special meaning for you? If so, what is the meaning of Halloween to you or your REASON to celebrate it?

I asked to see if any of you that 'do take part in it' and see it as an annual 'event' could say a bit about what it means to you or why you think it is celebrated. I mean Nov 5th is connected to Guy Fawkes and often called Guy Fawkes night. Not talking about 'holidays' that are official, like Xmas and Easter but these 'days' like Firework night and Halloween and Mothers Day and so on for which people don't get time off work and they aren't listed as official public holidays or feast days.

So far I've not seen anyone say they know where the roots of it lie or why it is celebrated other than a bit of fun (which I am all for - fun!)

It's not celebrated in Cyprus. But over in the UK earlier this month I was absolutely amazed at how big it has now become. I was in ASDA superstore in Chandlers Ford and they had about two whole aisles of Halloween stuff - all sorts from partyware to full fancy dress outfits. My neice told me they had even more but fell foul of the authorities for including 'mental patient' dress up kits and had to remove them.

Over in California some 20 odd years ago I was knocked out by how 'big' a thing it was there. Almost every house decorated - the trees too with huge illuminated flying witches - I was leaving just before the event and everyone was saying that it was such a pity that I was going to miss it.

My boys never 'did' Halloween but back then I do recall a few kids going round to ask for stuff and chucking eggs at doors where they met with nothing!

When I moved down to Cornwall and Jen was about 8 it seemed to be bigger down there (90s) we'd only been there a couple of months and Jen asked if she could go trick or treating and I said NO! Well the next day a few aged neighbours called round with sweeties and goodies for Jen because 'they hadn't seen her with the other kids and didn't want her to miss out'! How nice was that? After that and me realising it wasn't some 'dodgy' thing to let your kids do where they might be dragged inside a house by a psycho but a local celebration that both those participating in and those staying home and expecting them to call enjoyed - I did let her go and even made her an outfit and had her and her pals baking awful looking 'halloween cakes'. But I still didn't really have a clue what the 'meaning' of it was or what people were celebrating.

I sort of assume it has a 'witchy' connotation and back then thought that was why it was 'bigger' down in wild woolly Cornwall where quite a few folk are a bit witchy weird and wonderful!