Last year there was a bubbling conversation happening within our community, “Are we celebrating Halloween as Adults with children?” Many of us were raised differently and when it comes to Halloween we can agree on one thing, we never celebrated Halloween. Things may be different than when we were raised. Fall activities seem to morph with the next generation of the diaspora. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, what can of traditions is the community allowing their children to play a part in?
Fall activities are some of the best, but does anyone remember when we started turning them into family events? From corn mazes to pumpkin farms, and apple picking to candy corn, what activities are families getting involved in? With Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, here’s a guide to some of the activities you might consider taking your children to.
Pre-Fall Activities: Did you know one of the signs of fall arrival is the sunflower bloom? Sunflowers are part of some of the prefall activities, just as Oktoberfest. Depending on where you live, you probably have never heard of Oktoberfest, It is also another interesting thing Haitians in the Diaspora are taking part in:
Fall Activities: Are we taking the kids to the Hayride? The answer is yes. Though we understand we didn’t grow up participating in some of the activities below, we have found a way to make it every year for the child. No matter where you live, families will occasionally be incentivized by their community or local schools to participate. Especially in the era of social media, families everywhere are sharing their experiences with these activities:
Halloween Activities for the Diaspora: This is an area where our community often has varying opinions. Everyone within the Haitian Diaspora celebrates and engages in activities differently, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or judgments. As Gabrielle A. from New York City shared, “I carved a pumpkin for the first time last year.” Many of us are exploring how to fully participate in local celebrations, whether it’s through pumpkin carving or other fall festive community activities.
Shift: There’s a noticeable shift as traditions evolve; how we used to be prepping for fall church outings as kids on Halloween has changed into adult plans that include Halloween parties. And when it comes to the schools, are we prepared for the fun activities for our children? Some of us might also consider how Halloween traditions intersect with Haitian spirituality, bringing a unique perspective to the celebrations in our communities. Here are additional Halloween activities we may be taking part in:
Thanksgiving Dinner: Where we as a community may be divided on Halloween, we come together for Thanksgiving and take notice of how we have done so well in socializing some of our experiences on social media. Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Are you in charge of the turkey or perhaps preparing a cherished Haitian dish that you’ve finally been allowed to make? The culture of Thanksgiving in part of the Haitian American Diaspora can only be explained in one word nostalgi. Here we tap into what we remember, we tap into the familiar scents. Memories are unlocked here as we establish our traditions. Whether you are with your own family or your chosen family, breaking bread is the best transition out of fall:
Overall, fall is packed with family fun. We may be creating new traditions within our own families or friends, but that’s okay. The memories we create will be priceless. what traditions do you find yourself adding or creating with your family and friends?
