Let's Chat About...Halloween
Halloween is an annual tradition also known as "All Hallow's Eve", observed on October 31st. It originally began because it landed on the eve before "All Hollow's Day" ("All Saints Day" in the Christian liturgical year). As in popular culture, Halloween has become a celebration of horror and the supernatural.
This holiday dates back as far as 2000 years ago and since then, it has remained an evening of ghosts and goblins!
The Halloween tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
It was believed that on the night before All Saints Day, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, and the ghosts of the past returned to wonder the earth.
The Legend of Sleepy Hallow
This is an 1820 short story written by American Author Washington Irving. The tale of this story is among the earliest examples of American Fiction referencing Halloween.
It's main character "The Headless Horseman" was believed to be a Hessian Soldier who was beheaded by a cannonball during battle.
The soldier was buried in a churchyard near Sleepy Hollow and supposedly rises from his grave every Halloween in search of his missing head.
He is depicted as riding a horse, holding a Jack-O-Lantern to light his way.
Jack-O-Lanterns
-A carved lantern, most commonly from a pumpkin
Its name stems from an old Irish legend that refers to "Stingy Jack", a drunkard who bargains with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hallowed turnip to light his way.
To make a Jack-O-Lantern, the top of the pumpkin is cut off and set aside. Next all of the seeds and innards of the pumpkin are removed. Then typically a face or image is carved into the rind exposing its hollow inside. A candle is then placed inside and the top put back on creating a soft, spooky glow.
Carving pumpkins has always been a favorite tradition in our household!
Halloween Costumes
As noted earlier in this blog, costumes were worn on the Eve of All Hallow's Day to ward off ghosts that had risen from the dead.
Another theory stems back to the 15th century when people would dress in disguises and knock on doors, singing and praying in exchange for Soul Cakes, Apples, Money or Baked Goods.
Soul Cakes are a small round pastry resembling a cookie. These are made for All Saints Day and are handed out to children and adults in costume in exchange for a prayer, blessing their soul.
Today, the practice of Halloween Costumes and Trick or Treating has evolved into a commercialized tradition. In most cultures children dress in either store boughten or homemade costumes and go door to door saying "Trick or Treat" in exchange for candy.
Another common practice these days are for communities to hold Halloween Parties in leu of children going door to door. This is perceived to be a safer alternative.
Halloween Candy
Candy Corn was invented in the 1880's by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia. It was originally named "Chicken Feed" because of its resemblance to corn kernels. This treat was targeted towards farmers and the harvest season.
Caramel Apples were first created and sold by Hunter's Candy Company in Idaho. In 1948, the Kastrup family founded The Affy Tapple Company in Chicago. The recipe for their caramel apples came from Edna Kastrup and is still used today for their "Original Caramel Apple" line.
Popcorn Balls were a popular item handed out to Trick or Treaters back in the 1950's and 60's. In the 1970's it became more popular to hand out store bought sealed products as a safety measure. These popcorn balls are a sticky, sweet and a bit salty treat.
Ingredients:
7 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
food coloring (optional)
In heavy saucepan combine sugar, syrup, water & salt. Heat slowly until melted. Remove from heat and add butter, vanilla & food coloring. Stir until butter is melted. Pour over the popcorn and stir until completely coated. Quickly shape into 3-inch balls.
In 2023, Americans spent $3.6 billion on Halloween candy and 96% of all households purchased candy for Halloween.
Some other Halloween Traditions:
Bobbing for Apples
Visiting a Haunted House or Haunted Woods
Attending a Scary Movie
Trunk or Treating (collecting nonperishables for a food shelf)
Pumpkin Decorating Contests
Costume Parties
So, if you have anything to add or Halloween stories to share, please comment below!
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