Samhain (Summer's End) is my favourite time. We love to see the little kids all dressed up in their favourite characters and we also ask for a "trick" in exchange for the treat..simple things, really, a question about the alphabet, or their costume's character, or some song or something which they must answer. We will decorate with fake cobwebs and bats, hang a hand-made "sheet" ghost from a tree with its arms spread wide, and line the top of the picket fence with jack o'lanterns. No, we do NOT like the commercialism of this or any other special day of the year. The decorations we use are old and/or homemade.

Later, when the lights are out and all is quiet, I will light some candles and incense, give thanks for a good year's harvest (metaphorically, mostly), and send special thoughts to loved ones who've passed on. The next day, I may even go to the Episcopal church for All Saints Day, even though I am not a Christian. I went when I was a child and I love the ritual..it brings comfort.