All around the world, this spooky holiday is celebrated differently. Did you know that the tradition of joke-telling on Halloween originated in Des Moines, in order to prevent gangs from hurting public property? However, our traditions here in Clayton differ from those around the world. In different countries and even different cities, Halloween is celebrated differently.
“[This Halloween] I will dress up like a vampire and I will trick or treat with my friends,†said Liz Alducin, 15.  Alducin grew up in Mexico City, but currently lives in Canada. She had never been trick-or-treating until her first Halloween in Canada.  Alducin said that the most popular attributes of Halloween where she lives are the costumes and the candy.
However, this is not the case for Madeleine Weirauch, 14. Â Weirauch lives in Reims, France, but spent two years living here in Clayton. Â She plans on spending Halloween this year in France eating Halloween foods and watching scary movies, and said that very few kids trick or treat.
“Halloween is so much better in St. Louis!  Everyone is going trick-or-treating, decorating their houses and dressing up, but in France, I feel like it’s less important,†said Weirauch. “I have too much halloween memories but my favorites are shopping for a costume at Halloween express and go trick or treating after in St. Louis.â€
Mary Claire Noren lives in Wilmette, a suburb of Chicago in Illinois. Halloween traditions there are very similar to what goes on in St. Louis, as it is only a few hours away. There is a Halloween parade and there will also be trick-or-treating.
“I like decorating my house,†Noren said when asked what her favorite Halloween tradition was. “I always go trick or treating and then we come back to my house for apple cider.â€
Noren said that she plans on going trick or treating with her friends and maybe going to a party.
Noren said that she plans on going trick or treating with her friends and maybe going to a party.
In every city around the world, there are different traditions. In Mexico, they don’t trick or treat, but in Canada this year, Liz will. In France, Madeleine will spend time with her family watching movies and eating Halloween food, while Mary Claire trick or treats with friends and goes to a party. On the same night, in so many different places, so many people will be doing so many things. What did you do on Wednesday, October 31st?
