Alison, Aussie pumpkins must be harder than American ones. The ones we use are easily carved with a regular kitchen knife. Actually, this part of Halloween observance is becoming more and more elaborate. Kits are now sold which contain special knives, thin saws, drills (plastic), and templates for cutting elaborate halloween scenes on pumpkins such as witches riding across the moon, black cats, haunted houses, etc.

I did see some suckers (lollipops) in the shape of skulls around our house this halloween. We didn't give them out though. We favor the small candy bars.

It's becoming less and less usual for the kids to dress up as goblins, ghosts, and witches. We usually see animals, the latest Disney cartoon characters, princesses, and that sort of thing now. Older kids go for movie characters - "Men in Black" was popular this Halloween.