The traditional Halloween celebrations come round every October 31st, and these days those who enjoy the festivities the most are the children. Halloween is a time to dress up in fancy dress and take to the streets trick or treating. Some families go to a lot of trouble decorating their homes and front yards in a ghostly and eerie Halloween theme.
Halloween is very old Celtic festival, and has continued through time most strongly in the Celtic communities in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. From there, with emigration, Halloween has spread around the world, most notably to the United States. In later years, the spread of popular American culture has kindled new interest in Halloween to some places for the first time, such as Asia and Western Europe.
The original Celtic celebrations were pagan festivities related to the changing seasons as winter approached. Traditionally it was a time when the living could communicate with the dead, and magic was abroad. The early Christian church, as with many pagan festivals, absorbed these celebrations into the Christian calendar. All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows Day, was set down for November 1st. All Hallows Evening, the night of October 31st, became known as Hallow E'en, later just Halloween, and the time for the traditional celebrations.
Halloween celebrations were a community event, and there was usually a bonfire and fun games. The apple harvest was in at that time, and games such as trying to eat an apple on a string or floating in a bucket of water with your hands behind your back, were customary. Children would go from door to door to gather fruit, nuts and other tidbits for the festivities, which was the origin of the "treating" visits of today. Mostly, particularly in Scotland, the children would sing or put on a short act in return for the treats they were given. These days the treats given are often candies and sweets, and occasionally money.
Early on, Halloween "tricks" were secretive and often clever pranks played on some adults by children. The mischievous spirits that were said to be abroad on Halloween were blamed. This activity was especially popular in Ireland. A long time ago, tricks and treating combined into an ultimatum: give a treat or become the victim of a trick. This undesirable habit led to such unpleasantness as tossing eggs at houses and soaping windows, and more serious vandalism. Nowadays such unruly behavior is not often seen.
Halloween parties are often held amidst decorations to a haunted house theme. Children's eyes light up when Halloween menu items include the likes of tomato soup changed to vampire soup, spaghetti served up as cemetery worms, and witches fingers made of breadsticks tipped with sliced almonds. Halloween pumpkins are carved into jack-o-lanterns. Pumpkin dishes such as pumpkin pie are popular at Halloween.
Over the last few years, the magical themes of the popular Harry Potter books have added fresh fun to costumes and decorations for children's Halloween parties.
Halloween costume parties have also become popular events for adults as well in recent years. They are a great excuse to dress up and have fun. It seems the trend today is for any costume to be acceptable, not necessarily just the traditional witches, vampires and ghosts of Halloween. Costume design inspirations are now drawn from many sources, such as recent movies and television series. Some costumes are just witty, such as the seasonally appropriate theme of a "leaf blower", consisting just of a leaf suspended from the brim of a cap where it can be blown.
Halloween is very old Celtic festival, and has continued through time most strongly in the Celtic communities in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. From there, with emigration, Halloween has spread around the world, most notably to the United States. In later years, the spread of popular American culture has kindled new interest in Halloween to some places for the first time, such as Asia and Western Europe.
The original Celtic celebrations were pagan festivities related to the changing seasons as winter approached. Traditionally it was a time when the living could communicate with the dead, and magic was abroad. The early Christian church, as with many pagan festivals, absorbed these celebrations into the Christian calendar. All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows Day, was set down for November 1st. All Hallows Evening, the night of October 31st, became known as Hallow E'en, later just Halloween, and the time for the traditional celebrations.
Halloween celebrations were a community event, and there was usually a bonfire and fun games. The apple harvest was in at that time, and games such as trying to eat an apple on a string or floating in a bucket of water with your hands behind your back, were customary. Children would go from door to door to gather fruit, nuts and other tidbits for the festivities, which was the origin of the "treating" visits of today. Mostly, particularly in Scotland, the children would sing or put on a short act in return for the treats they were given. These days the treats given are often candies and sweets, and occasionally money.
Early on, Halloween "tricks" were secretive and often clever pranks played on some adults by children. The mischievous spirits that were said to be abroad on Halloween were blamed. This activity was especially popular in Ireland. A long time ago, tricks and treating combined into an ultimatum: give a treat or become the victim of a trick. This undesirable habit led to such unpleasantness as tossing eggs at houses and soaping windows, and more serious vandalism. Nowadays such unruly behavior is not often seen.
Halloween parties are often held amidst decorations to a haunted house theme. Children's eyes light up when Halloween menu items include the likes of tomato soup changed to vampire soup, spaghetti served up as cemetery worms, and witches fingers made of breadsticks tipped with sliced almonds. Halloween pumpkins are carved into jack-o-lanterns. Pumpkin dishes such as pumpkin pie are popular at Halloween.
Over the last few years, the magical themes of the popular Harry Potter books have added fresh fun to costumes and decorations for children's Halloween parties.
Halloween costume parties have also become popular events for adults as well in recent years. They are a great excuse to dress up and have fun. It seems the trend today is for any costume to be acceptable, not necessarily just the traditional witches, vampires and ghosts of Halloween. Costume design inspirations are now drawn from many sources, such as recent movies and television series. Some costumes are just witty, such as the seasonally appropriate theme of a "leaf blower", consisting just of a leaf suspended from the brim of a cap where it can be blown.
About the Author:
Moms living the family life at home are often called on to make the outfits and organize the celebrations of Halloween. Here is some Halloween background and practical Halloween ideas to help you make it a entertaining evening for your children. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
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