It’s safe to assume that until about a decade ago, almost everyone knew that October 31 marked the celebration of Halloween or Hallowe’en, a slight variation on All-hallow-even, the night before All Saints’ Day. Saints. Day, November 1. But to dig into that, All Hallows Eves actually represents the fact that after the Romans conquered the Celts in AD 43, they adopted many of their festivities and incorporated them into their own religious celebrations. All Saints Day was one such example. Originally the day that celebrated numerous pagan festivals, but Pope Gregory III eventually designated November 1 to mark the Christian holiday of All Saints’ Day, which had been moved from May 13. According to the Church, a day began at sunset, which is why the celebrations normally began on October 31, the eve of the holiday, All Saints’ Day.

Before we can put all the “boring stuff” behind us, just one more detail from the history lesson part. European immigrants brought their rituals and customs to America. There are actually few accounts of Halloween in American colonial history due in part to the large Protestant presence in the northern colonies and their strict religious beliefs. However, in the southern colonies where larger and mixed European communities had settled, there are some accounts of Halloween celebrations intermingling with Native American harvest celebrations.

Halloween began in the mid-19th century, when nearly two million Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine helped make Halloween even more celebrated. The Scottish immigrants then celebrated with fireworks, telling ghost stories, playing games and getting into mischief. There were games like apple throwing, dooking, dropping forks on apples without using your hands, and Puicini, an Irish fortune-telling game with saucers. Young women were frequently told that if they sat in dark rooms and looked into a mirror, the faces of their future husbands would appear, however, if a skull appeared, the poor girl would be destined to die before marriage.

Halloween went through a renaissance, if you will, in the early 20th century. By this time, the focus had shifted from a religious festival to a more communal celebration. The “stew” was actually a practice that dated back to the Middle Ages, when the poor went around begging for food or money. Borrowing from English and Irish traditions, children took up the practice of dressing up and dressed up. They did not go “door to door” yet. Instead, parties were held and there was a more festive atmosphere with colorful costumes. The scary and superstitious aspects of Halloween had diminished somewhat, and Halloween in America was slowly shedding some of the old European traditions in favor of more light-hearted celebrations.

Despite the good nature of some people, Halloween pranks and pranks had become a big problem in the 1920s and 1930s, mainly because the pranks often turned into vandalism, property damage, and even assaults. physical. Schools and communities did their best to curb vandalism by encouraging the concept of “trick or treating.” The Boy Scouts became involved by organizing safe events such as school carnivals and trick-or-treating outings for children in the local neighborhood, hoping this would drive away troublemakers.

The earliest known printing of the words “Trick or Treat” did not occur until 1934, when a Portland, Oregon newspaper published an article about how Halloween pranks kept local police officers on their toes. There would be sporadic instances of the phrase “Trick or Treat” used in the media during the 1930s, eventually making its way to Halloween cards. But the practice we see today, kids in costumes, going from house to house saying “Trick or treating” didn’t really come about until the mid-1940s. Today, those original vintage Halloween cards depicting the words ” Trick or Treat” are collector’s items.

Today, Halloween is an important commercial holiday. It’s not just for kids anymore. Adults have been throwing Halloween parties for years and what was once a small cottage industry of plastic masks and loads of stuff has now grown into a multi-billion dollar industry involving every age group, from young children even older people and even all the university students dressed up as Alice in Wonderland or as a French maid. Sexy is in and sexy drives a large part of adult Halloween costumes. Halloween parties for the college ensemble rival even their own “ordinary” “Hoes and Bros” and “Thirsty Thursday” theme parties. Even adults who should NOT wear such skimpy outfits think “anything goes” on Halloween and can live out their wildest fantasies (much to the dismay of many around them). It’s the one day of the year when you can let your imagination take over.

For those aunts and uncles or grandparents who have nieces, nephews or grandchildren who live far away, you can still celebrate by sending your little one an adorable or whimsical basket of Halloween candy. They may not remember all the little Tootsie Rolls or Milk Way Bars they get while trick-or-treating, but they will remember the thrill of getting your own gift of Halloween candy delivered right to your doorstep.

If you’re throwing your own Halloween party this year, don’t forget to have some special Halloween-themed Oreo cookies or fortune cookies on hand. Chocolate-drizzled pretzels dipped in festive orange and black sprinkles also make a great treat for your guests. Why not make your party list today! If you’re attending a Halloween party, don’t forget to bring a small gift for the hostess. Maybe some Halloween-themed marshmallows or a small basket of Halloween gifts.