Bernard O'Shea: Christmas aisles are back, but why is Halloween being left in the shade?

Bernard O'Shea. Photograph Moya Nolan

When I was in the supermarket last week, I noticed something that made me feel slightly unhinged. I wandered down what I thought was a dedicated Christmas aisle. It being September, I put it down to mistaken identity. I thought, “Ah, it must be sweets for Halloween”, But then I saw happily protruding between a box of Chocolate Kimberly and USA Assorted Biscuits a chocolate Santa. I turned to a woman beside me and asked her, “Is this Christmas stuff?” “Yeah, it’s terrible, isn’t it ?” she replied.

I was shocked by how soon Christmas had come but more irked that poor old Halloween isn’t getting a look-in on our seasonal calendar anymore. Confession: I did buy a chocolate Santa and eat it on the drive home. We all know that chocolate shaped in the form of a human or animal always tastes better. But it begs the question; Where has Halloween gone?