Re: Halloween tree.
We have plenty of traditions in this country but so many seem to have been forgotten, ignored, or overtaken by foreign versions.
Trick or Treat was originally called Guising where children in dis"guise" would knock on neighbour's doors and perform a trick. If it was good enough they would be given a treat.
This "trick" could be anything from performing acrobatics, dancing, singing, juggling, or reciting poetry.
Trust the Yanks to turn it on its head.
Dewn yer we have Punky night, which is similar to All Hallow's Eve, but occurs next week on the last Thursdegg of October.
Punky night is closely linked with the Pagan sabbat of Samhain (pronounced Sow-en) and has similarities with Halloween, but the punkey lanterns are carved using mangold wurzels or turnips. The children of the village carry the lanterns around the houses, led by the Punkey King and Queen, singing the traditional punkey song while begging for pennies.
‘It’s Punkey night tonight,
It’s Punkey night tonight,
Give us a candle, give us a light,
It’s Punkey night tonight.
Give me candle
Give me a light
If you don’t
you’ll get a fright!
If you haven’t a candle
A penny’s alright’
Then there be wassailing. Drinking zyder and firing shotguns over apple trees to ward of evil spirits, and pouring (not too much) cider over the roots to promote a good future crop.
We don't need to import someone else's distorted traditions when we have so many of our own.