Happy Hallowe-en

Hallowe'en has arrived in the shops. The month of October. Here's a window in John Lewis, Watford with a display.

I remember when Hallowe'en was almost unknown in England but the Americans made a big thing of it. Now all the supermarkets in England are full of Hallowe'en costumes.

Here's a cake in the window of Genuine Cakes, who have a shop in Hatch End and a stand in the centre of the mall in Intu in Watford.

If you bought Hallowe'en hats or fingers or face paints in previous years, you have time to get them out, ready for your home or away parties. As you travel your trip will be enhanced by the hallowe'en window displays and decorations.

If you are on a budget, try poundshop.com
If you need to stock up on hats or outfits for any other occasion, they will be cheaper the day after Hallowe'en.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Hallowe'en, Happy Halloween in the USA and UK - Saturday 31 October

Hallowe'en was a huge festival in the USA, long before it reached the supermarkets in the UK. I recall driving along the main roads in the cities and countryside of North Eastern USA and seeing piles of orange pumpkins.

Now Hallowe'en is major in the UK, too, with supermarkets and shops offering all kinds of fancy dress costumes offering opportunities to have themed parties at clubs.

Immediately after Hallowe'en of course prices will come down, your chance to add to your dressing up box a black and purple hat, fingernails, whatever you fancy.

Photo of Intu mall in Watford.

Supermarkets stocked with pumpkin soup - we made a huge batch from just half a pumpkin and have been eating it for a week.
Recipes are all over the internet. Just add in your preferred ingredients, such as pumpkin only, or adding potato.

Pumpkins in Waitrose supermarket, Harrow & Wealdstone, NW London

www.intu.co.uk