A bit different Halloween in China…
Obviously, Chinese do not understand the concept of Halloween. For them, it is another day where kids get plenty of candies and dress up as characters from their favorite comic books or Disney movies. A lot of adults have not even heard of Halloween before, but some of them know it comes from America and has a pretty cool history. While Cez was in the hospital in Guangzhou, I participated in kindergarten’s Halloween party.
A few days before the Halloween party kicked off, all kids had been asked to pick up their favorite fairy-tale or comic book character and parents were obliged to provide their kids with special outfit representing their choice.
Being overloaded with work lately, I totally forgot about the party. I went to school wearing my casual clothes and I knew something was happening when I saw kids looking adorable in their Little Red Riding Hood, Iron Man and Pumpkin costumes. After my morning classes finished, I headed back home to put some scary make-up on, rumple my hair and change my clothes. It all took me 10 minutes and below you can see the result of my effort (make-up was some flour, red lipstick and black eyeliner and I got the witch hat from one of the parents).
My students’ costumes
Every single kid in the kindergarten looked cute and adorable. I need to admit that parents did a great job this year with getting their kids ready for the big night. Everyone was provided with a flashy lighter, pumpkin basket, a bag of candies and skeleton gloves.
Trick or treat?
We had a little Halloween party at school first. Afterwards, we headed to the city center of Dongguan and started off our Halloween walk in search of candies and sweets. It was dark and chilly.
We visited 4 different apartments where students’ parents lived. They were all located in one closed area, so we were moving around different blocks of flats asking people for candies.
It was incredible to see how much fun kids were having that night. Everyone was blissfully happy. Me and some parents were hiding chocolate and candies between the trees, trash containers, benches and doors asking kids to find them.
When we entered the first apartment, there were plenty of delicacies waiting for us on the table. In order to get them, we had to sing an English song for the host family. After that, everyone was allowed to sit down, have some rest and enjoy the chocolate.
While kids were eating, parents were taking photos of them.
After over 3 hours of fun, everyone was knackered. We got back to the school and said goodbye to each other.
Although I missed heavy Halloween party with my best friends back home, I still had a blast with my little adorable monsters and I would not swap with anyone!
How was your Halloween party? Where did you celebrate it and what costume did you wear?
36 thoughts on “Halloween in China”
Good job on the costume, Agness! The picture of your favorite student is adorable – those “scared” eyes. How fun on your party and taking the kids out. It looked like you were the Good Witch of the North leading the Munchkins in Oz! Nice to have tired kids afterwards, except for the sugar high they are often on. I worked and unknown if Phoenix passed out candy :) What happened to Cez???? We hope is doing much, much better!!
Hahahaha! They all looked so cute and adorable! Cez is doing ok, he is recovering from knee accident, but he’ll be ok soon! Thanks for asking!
I love the make-up, good job Agness!
I was in Berlin and didn’t do much for Halloween, there were parties here and there but we just felt so terribly tired after a full day out walking everywhere, next year maybe.
My make-up sucked this year, but I’ll do much better next year! Berlin must have been busy on Halloween. I wish I was there!
This is so cute!! We don’t have Halloween in Honduras so I did nothing this year :( I really like Halloween so it’s a bit sad!
Maybe next year Rika :)!
Oh my G.. as they say.
You haven taken digital story telling to a new level..
This is better than Hollywood, Hongkong film studio, it is your very own making… oh yeah, the future is bright, it is China, and it would not be the same without the Polish,! (ha ha :
well done, you have, kept my focus…
Dobranoc
Hey Anthony, thanks and DOBRANOC too :)
OMG!! Your students are so adorable in their costumes!! I bet they had so much fun dressing up and trick-or-treating!!! BTW, love your costume…and getting ready in 10 minutes is awesome!!
I know, it was a Halloween cuteness OVERLOAD :) and yes, I’m very quick with make-up and stuff. It usually takes me 5 minutes in the morning :)
Loved your costumes and your students looked so adorable. We don’t really celebrate Halloween in India, well, may be except in some clubs. I loved dressing up on Halloween when I was an exchange student in Germany. :)
Love the kid pictures – too cute :):)
I know. Cuteness Overload, huh?
I’m not normally a fan of Halloween myself but it looks like you had an amazing time! And also made it great fun for the kids too :) Great work Miss!
Hehehe thanks Carl. It was a fun fun day :D
Wow, this is awesome Agness! I’m in Korea and our kids were also adorable with their outfits. But the idea of actual trick-or-treating was not even considered. It must have been a blast to introduce kids to an actual Halloween experience.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Matt! I gotta see your kids dressed up!!!!
My family’s main Halloween celebration here in Malaysia was going to a disco party hosted by and expat. In previous years, we attempted to take a group of kids trick-or-treating. But the security in our highrise condo is tight, and it got to be too cumbersome. I like that you hid candy, too. I’ll have to remember that for the future. Having to sing a song to get a treat reminds me of the Scottish tradition of guising.
Hey Michele! Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you also had a nice Halloween in Malaysia. Who knows maybe we can make it there next year :).
Wow, this looks like much fun and your kids look so cute!! :)
Thanks Stef. They always look adorable :):).
Great outfits by everyone it looks like a fun night. You are very creative with the outfit Agness. The question is, are you a good witch like Hermione or a bad witch???
Definitely a bad witch!! :D
Hi Agness, It’s amazing how fast you can whip out a good costume like that! Your kids and their costumes are adorable. It’s interesting to see how much they immersed into the Halloween spirit although its a new tradition to them. I think its a good idea to let them sing in English to make them earn the treats. You’re such a fun teacher! I would have loved to be in your class.
Thank you Marisol! I’m trying my best to be a fun teacher, but sometimes these little monsters make me wanna scream and shout!!! :D
Very cute! I find it so interesting to see where this holiday/tradition has spread around the world
Thanks!
Aww, that sounds like a lot of fun!! Last year, the university students in English club held a Halloween party, so I got to experience a little bit of Halloween fun, too. The Chinese seem to love the holiday even though it is still very new to them!
It was indeed!!
Halloween in China looks like great fun! Growing up in the U.S. I hadn’t ever really thought about other parts of the world not celebrating the holiday, it’s interesting to see now which ones do/don’t.
I was just in Mexico for my first “Day of the Dead” and it was incredible!
I am just reading your blog about Mexico, so nice!!
Your 10 minute costume change is scary indeed! I’m surprised they observe Halloween there.
Yep, so true. I was also kinda surprised.
awww these photos are adorable! its really interesting how American traditions find there way into other countries
Especially China :).
Agness ,accidental
it’s amazing to find out that u two have been to guangzhou,i live in this city .really hope that someday we will meet here.this is the first time i surf this website ,and what a awesome website .i got plenty travelling stuff here tks