Halloween generally passes me by because it has not traditionally been celebrated outside the US. Over recent years I find the retail Halloween hysteria a bit much, particularly as it will be followed by Black November (another new-ish phenomenon outside the US) and the Christmas all over the shops.
All Saints’ Day (1 November) is also a very spiritual day for the otherwise very secular Swedes, so the juxtaposition of taking a moment to honour departed loved ones with candles and memories on 1 November is very jarring.
Having said that, this little Halloween display really warmed my heart and made me smile today. It was outside an apartment doorway on my way to work. I think it appealed to me because it was a small, genuine, gesture and a bit of coziness and colour on the last day of autumn as Sweden pitches headlong into the darkest (and my least favourite) month…November.
I also liked these two display windows in a local café, Gunnarsons.
Princess Cake has become rather popular in other countries too.
And here are some little ghost balls.
