Autumn is the time of many American traditions, kicking-off with Halloween. We quickly learned that Halloween is a growing holiday amongst most of Dubai's ethnic groups, though Western expats made-up most of the participants in activities around the city.
Halloween decorations were sparse. The mega stores usually had a short isle devoted to costumes and decorations, but they were limited and went fast. Good Halloween candy was harder to come by, which is a mixed blessing considering the need to curb the growth of our waistlines. (Don’t worry, the kids still have plenty of candy to last until Easter).
But there was ample opportunities to bring Halloween into our lives. Trick-or-Treating happened on the 31st at night in a few neighborhoods with heavier concentrations of Western expats. Trick-or-treaters were out in force in these neighborhoods and the tradition of leaving the porch lights on as an indication of a house open for trick-or-treating was observed in Dubai.
Maria and many of her mom school friends brought Halloween to DAA and spent the month planning an elementary school Halloween party including a real pumpkin patch where kids came to read Halloween stories with their classes. Parents could also purchase the pumpkins (Iranian and very Martha Stewart gourd-looking) to take home for carving. They also had candy guessing game jars; the winner taking home the candy jar and tickets to the newest water park in Dubai. There was also a costume parade and real trick-or-treating within their grades. Many of the non-American students had never experienced trick-or-treating. Maria heard one boy yell down the hall (as he gathered his loads of candy), “This is the best day of my life!”
Maria and many of her mom school friends brought Halloween to DAA and spent the month planning an elementary school Halloween party including a real pumpkin patch where kids came to read Halloween stories with their classes. Parents could also purchase the pumpkins (Iranian and very Martha Stewart gourd-looking) to take home for carving. They also had candy guessing game jars; the winner taking home the candy jar and tickets to the newest water park in Dubai. There was also a costume parade and real trick-or-treating within their grades. Many of the non-American students had never experienced trick-or-treating. Maria heard one boy yell down the hall (as he gathered his loads of candy), “This is the best day of my life!”
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