Halloween

History

Tradition Halloween was originally

adopted from Celtic traditions, similar to Samhain.

Historically, it is also a very Christian holiday. November 1 is All Saints

Day November 2 is All Souls

Day

Themes Orange and black

Orange highlights autumn, and the changing of leaves

Black symbolizes death. Horror

Halloween became the “scary” holiday because it celebrates the deceased, both good and bad spirits.

Disguise

Guiding Spirits• Jack-o-Lanterns are an

important part of Halloween.• The Jack-o-Lanterns are

supposed to guide the spirits of the dead into a peaceful afterlife.

• Scary faces were incorporated in order to scare off bad spirits.

This is a traditional Jack-o-Lantern.

• Today, people make all

different kinds of designs on pumpkins!

Some can be scarier than others.

Costumes

Originally, masks were worn to scare spirits too!

People started to make scary costumes: Vampires Werewolves Living Dead (zombies) Ghosts Goblins Witches

Costumes Today

Costumes today are not always scary (but some are)!

Halloween gives people a day to dress up and pretend to be somebody else.

Trick or Treat!

Trick or treating started in Ireland and Britain. Peasants would go

door to door and ask for food or money, promising to pray for souls on All Souls’ Day.

Today, children go from door to door with bags or baskets to ask for candy!

Food & Candy

After carving pumpkins, we use the insides to make delicious pumpkin pies or roasted pumpkin seeds.

Sometimes people make caramel apples.

All different kinds of candies are given out: Chocolates Candy bars Lollipops Gummies

Other Traditions

At costume parties, people will bob for apples. Apples are put in a tub of

water, and you must get them using only your mouth – your hands are behind your back!

People will also make scare crows and haunted houses, too.

Sometimes, we gather around a bonfire and tell scary ghost stories!