Trick or Treat

Halloween is celebrated in a number of countries on the 31st October. It is a time in the liturgical year that we remember those that have departed, also known as All Saints Day, a time of both celebration and superstition.

Image: some of my decorations

Halloween was believed to originate with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This is where people would light bonfires to ward off ghosts.

Image: Samhain bonfire

Halloween is one of Americas favourite holidays and has evolved into a child friendly, community-based event. Popular traditions include scary house decorations and families dressing in costumes to roam the neighbourhood to trick or treat.

Image: Trick or Treating

America’s tradition of ‘trick or treating’ is believed to have come from early England’s All Souls Day parades where poor citizens begged for food, and were given soul cakes in return to pray for the families dead relatives. This replaced the tradition of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits.

Image: soulcakes

In Ireland, they believe that a young woman should hide her ring in mash potatoes on Halloween night to bring true love from the diner who found it.

Image: Irish girls learning to cook

In Scotland, fortune tellers recommend that a single woman should name a hazelnut for each of her suitors, then toss it in the fireplace. The nut that burns to ashes rather than exploding will be her future husband.

Image: Scottish Fortune Teller

The tradition of dressing up for Halloween comes from European and Celtic times. Winter was cold and nights appeared early, and spirits were believed to roam the streets. People believed if they left their homes wearing masks the spirits would not recognise or attack them. Also, to stop ghosts entering their house they would put bowls of food outside.

Image: Celtic Halloween mask wearing

Today, Halloween in celebrated by people dressing up and going trick or treating, making jack-o’-lanterns, decorating their house with scary objects, lighting bonfires, celebrating at parties or visiting haunted attractions.

Image: House decorated for Halloween

Australia is getting bigger each year with celebrating Halloween with more kids now trick or treating, more parties & celebrations and more people decorating their homes. I have been decorating my house for many years now, since my daughter was young and I have hosted a few Halloween parties! I also like to dress up on the day. Many of my favourite labels have been releasing new shirts, skirts, dresses and brooches each year