In the mid-20th century, “Penny for the Guy” was a ubiquitous part of British childhood. Before the rise of organized displays and the American influence of Halloween trick-or-treating, it was the primary way children engaged with Bonfire Night (November 5th).
Children created an effigy of Guy Fawkes using their fathers' or older siblings’ old clothes (jumpers, trousers) stuffed with newspaper, straw, or dead leaves. The head was often a stuffed pillow or a cardboard mask bought from a newsagent. These life-sized dolls were paraded through neighborhoods or displayed on busy street corners. Children often used old prams, wheelbarrows, or homemade carts to transport them. Groups of children would sit or stand outside shops, pubs, bus stops, or tube stations, calling out the familiar chant, “Penny for the Guy, mister?” or “Penny for the Guy, lady?”.
The collected pennies were almost exclusively used to buy fireworks (such as sparklers, rockets, or Catherine wheels) or treats like toffee apples and “pop” (soda). On the evening of November 5th, the homemade Guy was traditionally placed on top of a large communal or garden bonfire and burned as the centerpiece of the celebration.
During this period, Halloween was not widely celebrated in the UK. “Penny for the Guy” was the primary autumn holiday activity for children. It was viewed as a “communal endeavor” that brought neighborhoods together, with neighbors often competing to see who had the best-made Guy. Children often undertook the activity without adult supervision, staying out until dark to catch commuters coming home from work.
The tradition began to fade toward the late 20th century due to increased safety regulations on firework sales, the rise of organized public displays, and the growing popularity of American-style trick-or-treating.
