Gurgaon’s little devils set to be let loose

It’s Halloween, and Gurgaon parents, who had jumped on the trick-or-treating bandwagon with a lot of enthusiasm, are all set to celebrate the festival with their kids. We spoke to some parents to find out what is driving their enthusiasm for Halloween and they told us that it is not just the demands of their kids, but also a chance to relive their own childhood that gets them so excited.Many parents cancelled all plans to throw Halloween parties while others are more than happy to dress up their kids and prepare spooky dishes for the visiting tricksters.
Cancelling plans during halloween
For many Gurgaon parents, a Halloween party is important and can’t be missed. Whether they are forced by their kids to cancel other plans for Halloween or not, the parents are more than happy to oblige. Sheila Chaudhuri Kundra, who stays in Sushant Lok 1, says, “I have a nine-year-old son and a have dog who is five. We were supposed to go to Varanasi but my son threw a tantrum and I had to alter my plans. We have an annual Halloween party and it’s very important for my son and I was more than happy to change my travel dates even though it cost me extra. My son is going to be a vampire and we make our own costumes. Last year, the dog was the Red Riding Hood’s wolf, but this year he will be dressed as a pumpkin. We made an orange puffy collar for him with leaves on it. When the dog was a pup, we used to put an eye patch on him for trick-or-treating.
Sheila adds, “This year, he is five and I don’t think he will appreciate the eye patch, but yes, he will still go trick-or-treating.” Armita Bhaumik, who stays in Malibu Town, Sohna Road, says, “My daughter is eight and she wants to dress up as a vampire. I have already got a costume for her, but she wants me to do her makeup as well. She wants to look scary but nice at the same time, so her makeup has to be perfect. She has told me clearly that I need to finish work early today and come home to do her makeup, which I am more than happy to do.”
Kids are demanding about their costumes
Gurgaon’s kids are very particular about what they want to wear on Halloween and they are not ready to settle for anything less. Komal Bhangu, who lives in Nirvana Country, Sector 50, says, “My daughters’ school has a Halloween event today, and she will be dressing up as a vampire. I suggested that she can dress up as Catwoman, but she told me that last year, a girl in her class came dressed as Catwoman and everybody made fun of her. I also have to stock up on candies. Earlier, I used to give the kids money, but they didn’t look too happy about it.” Neetika Arora, who lives in Park View Spa, Sector 47, adds, “I have two sons, aged eight and ten. They want costumes with the perfect accessories. My older son is planning to go as a vampire – inspired by Hollywood movies and his friends. They want me to buy pumpkins to decorate the house. I have also stocked up on candies for when the kids come trick-or-treating.”
If the local market was not able to meet the kids’ demands for their perfect costume, parents have ordered them online all the way from America. Dhriti Seth,who lives in Palm Springs, Golf Course Road, says, “I have an 11-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter. My son wants to be a ‘grown-up’ and wear just a mask. My daughter is going to be a witch and she wants me to paint her face black and white. She has already done a dress rehearsal. There are people in my colony whose kids have made demands for costumes that can only be ordered from the US and the parents have happily ordered them. My children are not that fussy and they haven’t made such demands.”
Kids are pros
Many parents whose kids are celebrating Halloween for the second or the third time feel that their kids can manage the Halloween arrangements like a pro.
Reena Chopra, who lives in Heritage City, MG Road, says, “Halloween in our condominium is a popular affair. I have two daughters aged 12 and 15, and the younger one is very much into Halloween. She is planning to throw a party. Her friends are coming over with pumpkin bags and most of the kids will stay at my place, so I will have to arrange for their stay. My daughter will be making red rose syrup in test tubes to make it look like blood. She keeps checking the internet for all this stuff. Also, she has cousins abroad and she is discussing ideas with them. I don’t think I will be helping out much, other than giving her money. She is going to arrange for her party. She wants to put on a big show.” Dipali Kumar, who lives in Sector 57, says, “My 13-year-old daughter is very excited for Halloween. She got a red dress, a lantern and accessories to go with it, and she is planning to go out with her friends. She hasn’t needed much of my help doing all this. She did take my opinion on what will look good out of two-three dresses, but that was about it. I can say that my daughter is a Halloween pro now.”
Reliving childhood
Gurgaon parents are more than happy to oblige their kids’ demands on Halloween and the reason behind it is that they get to relive their own childhood. Ramona Malhotra, who lives on MG Road, says, “I have two sons who have been excited about Halloween since before Diwali. Halloween is celebrated with so much pomp in this condominium, and I find it great. In our days, it wasn’t done like this, and now, we get a chance to experience what we missed. It’s like reliving our childhood through our kids. I believe parents are more indulgent these days and they really don’t mind making Halloween a special occasion for the kids. Even the vegetable vendor in the colony participates. Last year, the kids went to the vendor in the colony and he gave them vegetables!” Dhriti shares, “I am so excited about Halloween and I will dress up as a witch too. We will also put a doormat outside our house which creates spooky noises. Actually, a lot of adults dress up in our society and enjoy Halloween. As I am also a part of the group that is organising a Halloween party for the condominium, I keep getting messages from a lot of excited mothers about their latest Halloween purchases. Mothers are very keen not to disappoint the kids and are stocking up on candies. Also, a list of shops where to buy Halloween stuff is circulating among the parents.”
Amrita says, “I am very excited to dress up my daughter for Halloween, but I am also looking forward to seeing other kids dress up. The kids in my building are preparing for Halloween with great fervour, and the excitement for Halloween has surpassed the Diwali excitement. They are dressing up as witches, vampires and ghouls and have prepared pumpkins and cobweb decor. They will be going around trick-or-treating and collecting candies and sweets. The evening will end with a Halloween party in a neighbour’s house. Witnessing all this, I feel like I am living my childhood again through these children.”
Halloween with rules
Parents have also made sure that rules are put up, so that it doesn’t cause any inconvenience to people who don’t wish to participate and the children aren’t disappointed either. Pooja Singh Mehta, who lives in Windsor Court, DLF Phase IV, says, “I have a son who is seven and has been going to Halloween parties for a few years now. This time, we are having an open party for the entire condominium. We have circulated the information that each house needs to stock up on treats for at least 15 kids. I work with a company that has a number of American clients, so we have always been celebrating Halloween.” Dhriti says, “In Palm Springs, we are distributing stickers to houses that are participating in the Halloween celebrations. The children will ring the bell at only those houses which have the stickers on. This way, the people who are not interested won’t be bothered. A lot of us have lived abroad and know the Halloween norms, so we will be following those.”