October 2022

GRAPEVINE

Halloween – Michael Henderson

Issue No. 9

Birthday Parties – Katelyn Sondereker

I’m sure you all know and have heard of Halloween

Whenever I smell candle smoke, I think of birthdays.

before. But have you ever wondered what Halloween

When I was little, my mom would make homemade

is like in America? Today let’s talk about it!

birthday cakes in the shape of a teddy bear or aI think the biggest Halloween difference between

sailboat. My parents would give us presents and weJapan and America is trick-or-treating. Trick-or-would open them one by one. I always remember

treating is when young children wear costumes andbirthdays being full of happiness.

walk to many houses around their neighborhood.

Birthdays in America are usually celebrated with

They will ring the doorbell (呼び鈴) and yell “trick-

big parties. Typically, children in elementary schoolor-treat!”, with the owner of the house giving thehave birthday parties that they invite their classmateschildren candy! Children will often use big trick-or-and family members to. The parties often have funtreat bags, but common alternatives (代わりの) are

games and a theme (like superheroes or princesses or

big pillowcases. The best place to trick-or-treat are in

Disney movies) and the decorations (飾り), food, andrich neighborhoods where people give BIG candy

cake will match the theme. Once the candles are lit,bars!

everyone sings “ Happy Birthday ” and the person

For some reason, there is a big fear in America thatwhose birthday it is makes a wish (お願いごとをする)

people will poison ( 毒 を 入 れ る ) or put razors inand blows out the candles. But you cannot tell anyonechildren’s candy. Even though this almost neverwhat you wished for, or it won't come true!

happens, many parents will still check their children’s

When children get older, like in middle school andcandy before they eat it. I think it’s from the media

high school, birthday parties are smaller because theyscaring people.

only invite their close friends to celebrate their

Other common traditions are Halloween parties

birthday. In university, I usually celebrated myand decorating houses. People go crazy decorating

birthday by eating a nice dinner and having cake with

their homes on Halloween, so it’s fun to drive aroundjust my family. Instead of a birthday party, my friends

and see all the decorations (飾り). Americans also

at university would individually spend time with melove getting creative with Halloween parties, andand give me small gifts and birthday cards to celebrate.

often make Halloween themed food and desserts!

Like most things in America, how people celebrate

Carving pumpkins is another big tradition. We cut

birthdays will be different for each person. Because

open the pumpkin and take out all the innards (中身)my family always celebrated birthdays in a big way, toand seeds. Then we carve out (彫る) a design on thethis day birthdays are a very important time for me tofront and put a candle inside. The finished result isshow people that I love and care about them.

called a Jack-O-Lantern! We often roast (焼く) theseeds afterwards and eat them as a snack!

How do you celebrate birthdays in Japan? Cometalk to us about it!

A house inA racecar

America on

themed kids’Halloween

birthday party_____________ year(s) old_____________ year(s) old_____________ year(s) old

How old do you think Kate is?
Each picture is from a different birthday.
How old do you think she is in each picture?
Come tell Kate-sensei your guesses!
If you are right, you will get a PRIZE!

Did you take pictures with us at Bunkasai?!
We both had so much fun at Bunkasai! We were amazed by all your hard work and spectacularperformances! As we were walking around, we stopped and talked with many students, andtook lots of photos. But afterwards, we realized we had no idea what the photos looked like! So,
if you have any photos with us, please let us know!!! We would love to see them. 😊

If you want to send us the photos, we can add you to the ALT &Students group on Classi. Please let us know so we can add you tothe group.
Also, as always, if you want to talk to us in-person, you can always write your nameson the ALT whiteboard outside the teacher’s room!

Happy Halloween!