The Geese Are Getting Fat

Hallowe'en is coming and the geese are getting,
Will you please put a penny in the old man's hat,
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!

Yes, it's Halloween again, or to give it its more proper name, All Hallows Eve - the night before All Saints Day. The rhyme above is a traditional one for those engaged in 'trick or treat' as they go round houses scrounging money, or more realistically, chocolate! So far we haven't had anyone at the door, so we may be in the clear on that front.

Yet isn't it strange that the rhyme talks about the geese getting fat (presumably in anticipation of Christmas), but nowadays it's more likely that the children will be getting fat. Hallowe'en trick-or-treating will normally result in chocolate. Christmas means the selection boxes and the obligatory tin of Roses or Quality Street (which one's your favourite?). Easter means chocolate eggs... are you seeing the pattern?

Why is it that the chocolate producers have such a massive hold on feasts and festivals? Is it just a sign of the over-commercialisation of our society? Or is it just because chocolate is oh so good!