Let's talk Halloween - Berlin

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in having an old-school halloween get together? (you know, with all the fun stuff like when we were kids - halloween themed food, costumes, halloween games, halloween music, halloween decorations) I was thinking it would be fun if we could do something where everyone brings a dish and so forth... I did a halloween party in high school and it was a lot of fun (no alcohol required). Anyone interested? I don't really want to do all the work myself, and I don't know enough people who would be able to come to one...
Also, I know it's not even October but... anyone up for meeting up to carve pumpkins? and is there somewhere one can go to pick apples? I miss the Connecticut autumn and what we used to do then as kids.
I usually start thinking about this stuff too late and then nothing happens, so I thought: why not think about this stuff too early?

And while I'm on it: I was thinking (as of a minute ago) that it might be a fun idea to start a group that meets up for American style holidays and other activities. For example, coming up: octoberfest (ok, that's german lol), pumpkin carving, apple picking (not a holiday thing but oh well), halloween, thanksgiving... christmas cookie baking or exchange, ice skating... I feel like every holiday I have to search for things, and I thought that some of you might be in the same boat. What do you think? Maybe we could start our own thread. feel free to PM me.

Since when is Halloween an American holiday?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain

Samhaim is a wiccan holiday. there are lots of versions of harvest festival holidays; lots of countries have them. In the US most people happen to celebrate halloween. Here halloween is generally considered to be an American import, at least that is my understanding, there are certainly other similiar holidays with different names, I just happen to have never celebrated any of them (except the french and mexican versions of day of the dead, which is has a vague resemblance to halloween, albeit quite vague).

@ Californiagirl : brilliant idea, would love to join the club :-)

Californiagirl, that sounds like a lot of fun! Looking forward to it.

The style of Halloween celebration that's starting to catch on in Germany is definitely an American import. Americans do St. Patrick's Day bigger and better than the Irish, too.

Big pumpkins for carving jack o'lanterns can be a problem; most of the ones you find in Germany are the little soup pumpkins. So if you come upon some big ones, snag 'em.

I am always so sad that I don't know enough Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving with! My place is too small to host a large event but I love to cook! Halloween isn't my favorite but I'm definitely up for ice skating, cookie baking, Christmas market going, etc.

hey dessa_dangerous, just randomly read this thread and saw that you love to cook...you should come to our "homemade exchange", the next one is on sunday 4.10 @ my place. everyone cooks a dish at their own place and brings it to my place (along with the recipe)...we all eat delicious food, talk and swap recipes. look up the thread, maybe you would be interested. ??

finding pumpkins for carving shouldn't be a problem - the local extra grocery store near me already sells the big ones...

Sorry I have to say this again every year. Halloween is an Irish holiday. Not made up wiccan or American. Hairy Mary's always have a party an this year it is no different.

I don't care who started it (Wiki agrees with lolo), let's party!

And commune with the spirits who walk the earth those days.

sounds great, would be up for it!

i am a makeup whore and have my costume all ready to go, just no where to wear it to. plus its on the perfect day this year
i was considering hosting a party since my place is fairly large but sadly i dont know enough people and my coworkers might not show up

thesoloist: If you have a party, myself and my husband would love to come! Alternatively, we could do a party at my place, which is near P-berg. my place is also pretty big. If you decide to have a party, I would be happy to help with preparing/bringing food and decorations, so let me know! It sounds like there are a number of people who would show up if we did something and I would bet that there are a bunch more that will come if we just organize something.
everyone: just so you know, to clear up my first message, I'm not opposed to having alcohol at the party, although I myself don't drink anymore because it gives me migraines. I wasn't sure if some people might be turned off to the idea because of that...