Halloween, sometimes called All Hallows Eve, Night of the Dead, and other creepy names. But why do we really celebrate Halloween? Why, did we start Halloween? Some cultures do you use Halloween, as a celebration of the dark side. For the most part, Halloween is a fun celebration, to dress up and be someone else for a night.
Halloween started many years ago, in other countries. These other countries celebrated the end of Summer and the season of the Sun. They prepared for a season of cold, and long nights. October 31st was the day they chose to hold their festival, sometimes referred to as the Fall Festival or Harvest.
When settlers came to America, they brought their holiday customs with them. Many of the settlers came from different countries. Of course, all the customs have been joined and we have our own Halloween celebration. The most important symbol of Halloween is the Pumpkin.
The early settlers used to cut out other fruits and vegetables, and decorate them. The people of Ireland cut out and decorated Turnips. They hollowed out the Turnip and put a candle on the inside. When the Irish came to America they used big, round, orange Pumpkins, and now we have our famous Jack-O-Lantern.
Years ago, in other countries, the poor would beg for food. They were called souls, and people would give them soul cakes. The beggars would then promise that they would remember the dead.
Here, today in America children dress in silly, funny, and scary costumes and go Trick Or Treating. The receive candy, and small trinkets in their basket or pumpkin of choice.
Halloween has become a huge profit maker for American businesses, and according to early polls, people have spent more money on Halloween this year, than any other year. Some companies base their whole company on Halloween and are actually closed for the rest of the year. You can find almost any costume imaginable, now today. From celebrities to superheroes, princesses, politicians, whatever you could think of. It has become one night of fun, a night to get away from the stress of the real world and live in a fantasy. To be someone else for one night, isn't that something everyone wants?
Please remember your Halloween safety rules:
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
Wear a light on your suit, or carry a flashlight
Walk on walkways, not the street if possible
Go slow, kids run out in the street without thinking
Never eat any candy, before it has been thoroughly inspected by an adult
Have fun, isn't that the most important one
