Halloween Recap

Halloween in France has been something of a quiet affair these last several years. For years, you’d hardly notice it at all—maybe a plastic spider here, a wisp of fake cobweb there, but never anything that made you stop and think, “Oh, Halloween is here!” The shops didn’t even stock Halloween candy; if a few kids came by, it was usually on some random day near the end of October.

They’d show up on my doorstep, no costumes, sometimes barely knocking, standing there like little deer in the headlights. They looked as confused about trick-or-treating as I felt trying to offer them something for the holiday.

But this year, it was like Halloween fever took hold of the village. The first surprise hit when I went to the grocery store and saw actual bags of candy labeled for Halloween. This is a big deal! Not like the shelves bursting with mountains of candy you’d see in the U.S., but still, the mere presence of those bags was a revelation. I bought two, thinking it was cute, maybe a nice gesture to offer treats for the three or four kids who might pass by.

Then, around town, I noticed a few more decorations than usual—cobwebs, the odd skeleton here and there. “Hmm, Halloween is catching on!” I thought, wondering if we’d even get a handful of trick-or-treaters this time. But I wasn’t expecting what happened next.

Halloween night, 5 o’clock sharp, the doorbell rang. And there, standing on the other side, were a handful of kids in the most adorable little costumes. Not just bare-faced and bashful as in years past—they had real costumes, with hats, face paint, the works! And the trick-or-treaters just kept coming. One wave after another, all with excited grins and little buckets held out expectantly. 

Instead of saying, “trick or treat,” They said,

“ Des bonbons ou des farces.”

Hearing those words oh how that made my evening. The Deers in the headlights are gone.

I had to ask Yann to rush out to the store for more candy, and then my son-in-law after him. We were running low every hour, and the kids just kept coming.

Somewhere around 7 o’clock I left my door opened and stood there all giddy, with Gabriel at my side. Yann blasted Halloween music! 

By the time I’d finally closed the door, I stopped counting at 140 trick-or-treaters. Yes, 140 plus.

For years, I’d never thought much of Halloween here, but now, I can’t help but feel a spark of that old holiday magic. I will need to get a costume for myself next year.



Comments

15 responses to “Halloween Recap”

  1. Gail Dawson White

    Your new presentation is soooooo beautiful and the olive colors ARE Provence. Tres bien fait! Brava!!!!!!

  2. Reverse has happened here in Chicago. When I first moved into this house eight years ago, we got lots of kids asking for “Des bonbons ou des farces”, only in English or Espanol. I got no visitors at all on this Halloween.

  3. I love all you share

  4. Denise Moulun-Pasek

    Love the new format DC,

  5. Ah, nice, that’s how Halloween used to be in the States! I love that it’s catching on.

  6. Jennifer Doherty

    Love the new look!!!!!!

  7. Shelley Noble

    Extraordinary! How adorable and hilarious. I wonder what made such a big change? Ironically, Here in Los Angeles, not one came by my house. None of my treats were taken from the porch. Ten years ago, there would be, not as many as in your village but a steady excited stream. No more in my area.

  8. Halloween seems to be catching on in Perth, too, but not on the same level as your village. We had 38 Trick or Treaters(50% increase on last year).Some with costumes, or a bit of face paint or a mask. Some don’t quite get it , some say “Trick or Treat”. ALL said, “THANK YOU.” 🦇

  9. The new blood is beautiful!
    No trick or treaters at my house.

  10. Beautiful update for your blog! Love the breeze blowing thru the olive branches.

    Halloween and trick-or-treaters have been non-existent for many years in my neighborhood. I never even think about needing to have candy on-hand.

    Wonder why it took off in your neighborhood/village this year??

  11. This Halloween report makes me smile!!!

  12. Love the new format. The photos are a treat! Great story.

  13. Sandra Schneider

    I love this! And I thought we were doing well with 80+ goblins in Seattle😅. I can hardly wait to see your costume next year💃🏻

  14. Love the update!

  15. Villa Kerr

    Corey, I loved your comments and beautiful pictures.
    So happy for your family and neighborhood. Sounds like a wonderful Halloween was had in your French village.
    It rained here on Fox Island, WA so there were no trick-or-treaters but I was ready just in case. Most children now go to Halloween parties at their school so they don’t have to get out in the weather or traffic. Parents seem to prefer this. I do miss all of the little kid’s fun costumes and their delight of dancing away with their stash.

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