The trick is to treat me to some decent guising

Published on Friday 27 October 2006 12:05

WELL, it's only days to go before we can all go legitimately scaring the living bejesus out of the little 'uns on Tuesday night. As it's a school night the annual Stott Spook Fest is being moved to Saturday and as I type I have two huge pumpkins staring at me from the kitchen needing carved for the weekend.

Guising is now like a military operation as you have to have a grown up to accompany the little horrors these days, plus you have to ensure that they've all got their performances perfected. Something I'm a stickler for, as any of the local kids who've turned up at my door unprepared will no doubt testify. One thing that I won't tolerate is trick or treaters who just expect the treat with no trick.

I've almost lost count of the amount of kids who turn up with a mask on or funny glasses with their hands out-stretched expecting to get some cash for just turning up. I usually send them packing off to rehearse a number or routine, work on the costume and impress me. Once all that's sorted, they'll get a grab out of a bucket of sweets. Oh aye, Simon Cowell's got nothing on me at this time of year!

Another thing, it's all pumpkins and trick or treat these days isn't it? What happened to "help the guisers and turnips"?

Our house has been transformed into something resembling a shop display as my wife - sorry, KIDS - get more and more into Halloween each year.

But as we stocked up for the monkey nuts and dookin' apples, we were constantly getting reminded that it's really Christmas we should be preparing for. Climbing Santas, huge nativity settings, indoor and outdoor lights are at your every move.

However, there is one thing that officially lets me know that Christmas is most definitely on its way. It's not the decorations going up in John Lewis, oh no, they're usually up when the barbecues are still full price!

It's a very obvious (some would say rather frightening) sign. I usually become aware of it on my drive into work of a morning, perhaps while waiting to get out of junction or when stopped at lights, I see it: my face. On the side of a bus. Advertising panto.

But I'm not here to blatantly plug Cinderella at The Kings Theatre running from December 2 to January 21. (Some good seats still available). No that would be a very cheap and irresponsible use of this column.

And earlier this week, we were officially given the green light to start thinking about New Year as the bands headlining Edinburgh Hogmanay's Concert in the Gardens were announced.

Seeing out 2006 in front of hunners of thousands of fleece and funny-hat-clad revellers will be The Pet Shop Boys and Scotland's own Paolo Nutini.

I interviewed Mr Nutini on my radio show earlier this week and he's dead excited about the prospect of supporting the legendary Pet Shoppies. His biggest concern was whether or not he was going to able to bring his family through from Glasgow to see the gig.

This is obviously very important to him, as earlier this year he had a very cool showcase in Glasgow to introduce his talents to the Scottish radio, TV and media bods and crammed into a wee side room were all his aunties, grannies and parents, all proud as punch and desperately trying to catch a glimpse of their wee laddie in action.

Also on this Christmas in Princes Street Garden front, the traditional Winter Wonderland may be facing a bit of competition for the festive skating on ice title, with the unlikely contenders seem to be coming from Sweden.

It would appear that Ikea are planning a Christmas Extravaganza of their own, setting up an ice rink in their car park. It may not have the surroundings and setting that Winter Wonderland might have, but I'm sure it'll prove a huge draw for shoppers just wanting to nip out for a festive skate and perhaps a flat-packed Swedish kitchen while they're at it.

One thing the Ikea rink will definitely have over the city centre version is that I doubt you'll be able to tuck into some Swedish meatballs and gravy just before you take to the ice in the Capital.

The meatballs, though, will have to wait until closer to Christmas. Meanwhile, bring on the pumpkins.