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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Stumped!

I opened the front door this morning and prepared to wheel Sebastian out in his stroller with the Felix on foot at my side and the terrier lurching on his leash (my husband is away, which is why a simple morning dog walk turned into a parade) and we were faced with a puzzle in the form of a neighborly Halloween Secret Santa Scenario.

A plastic pumpkin stuffed with Halloween themed items was at my feet and inside were two copies of one singularly unhelpful note about spreading the spirit of the season. I'm assuming I'm supposed to leave my own baskets of spooky items on two more doorsteps-- like a more time consuming chain letter. But, and I hate to say this, I think I"m not smart enough to know exactly what's expected. I don't understand the (really brief) instructions. I don't even really understand the contents of the plastic pumpkin (which imply strongly that I'm planning to host a Halloween party, which would be news to me). While I want to be a good neighbor, this week was not the one in which to plop a bunch of extra errands (shopping for seasonal goodies and cool packages in which to stow them, photocopying the hard-for me- to parse instructions). So now I just feel like a fool for not getting it, and worried about not being a good neighbor while dreading creeping through my building at night, setting dogs barking, while delivering packages to neighbors who will want to punch me for giving them extra work to do. And yet I don't feel comfortable just killing the fun.

Of course, as my brow wrinkled in confusion, Felix began bouncing in delight. This surprise was enchanting, entrancing, amazing... so don't think I'm so much of a sourpuss that I missed his pleasure. It did manage to cut through the fog of "What am I supposed to do about this"-ness that lingers around my head even now.

posted by Elise at 4:16 PM

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4 Comments:

Laura Kramarsky said...

That's exactly the kind of thing I HATE. I don't mind if people say "look, a group of us are doing this...pick two names out of this hat." Then I have time and can do it on my own schedule. Plus, what if everyone decides "oh, Mr. Z would love to participate..." then Mr. Z ends up with 22 baskets of stuff and has to find 22 people to give to.

The whole thing makes me want to scream.

10/21/2007 3:49 PM

Anonymous said...

This sounds like the "Halloween Hobgoblin" and it's really not a big deal. It's sort of like a Secret Santa amongst neighbors. Now that you've been visited by the hobgoblin, you put a copy of the note on your front door (so future hobgoblins know you've already been visited) and then leave a little basket of treats with a copy of the note for another neighbor who doesn't already have the note posted on their door.

You won't end up with 22 baskets--that's the purpose of the note.

10/22/2007 8:46 AM

Anonymous said...

I experienced this Halloween funnery at my work place week before last. I did not understand how it worked (take a piece of candy and send the basket on to the next person?). I also failed to read the fine print and had to be reminded by a co-worker that I was supposed to deliver a treat to another person within 24 hours. A week and a half had passed... Unfortunately, now there is not enough time for all of my co-workers to experience the funnery before Halloween. My bad.

10/23/2007 12:12 PM

Anonymous said...

I saw a letter like this on the counter at Michaels the other day, with instructions about passing it on to two other people. Seems like a lot of work, but could build neighbourhood relations, I suppose.

10/30/2007 4:29 PM

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