RTÉ News reports on the trend towards buying Halloween costumes for children rather than making them at home. Reporter Mary Calpin talks to Cathal O'Dea of Smyths Toy Store in Dublin who says that increasingly parents are buying costumes for their children.Mary Calpin adds up the costs associated with a costume. The range of costumes and masks in the shop are shown.

Fionnuala Kilfeather of the National Parents Council says parents should refuse to buy expensive costumes for their children. She offers advice on how to stay safe but also enjoy Halloween night.

The origins of Halloween are found in Ireland and Scotland. Children traditionally dress up and look for fruit and sweets from local houses. There are a variety of traditional games played at Halloween such as ducking for apples in a basin of water.

This report from RTÉ News was broadcast 29 October 2001.

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