Halloween always falls on October the 31st. Homes and store displays are
decorated with pumpkins, carved into smiling Jack-O-Lanterns; scarecrows;
tombstones; skulls; witches; ghouls… There is no upbeat music, colorful
displays, cheerful greetings for this holiday. Halloween is a celebration of
fear, not cheer.
Much of the Halloween décor, and lore, revolves around death. This holiday is
associated with the Mexican Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), as well as the
Celtic Samhain. These and other ethnic or Pagan holidays are considered times to
honor loved ones who have parted. Some believe that the veil between this world
and the otherworld (after life) is so thin at this time, we can contact them.
In the traditional beliefs, it was not only the dearly departed who could pay us
a visit. The veil is thin enough for all kinds of evil and malicious spirits to
enter - or the soul of a living human to easily slip away to the other side. It
was these beliefs, and the many tall tales they spawns, that inspired the modern
tradition of Halloween as a time of celebrating all that is frightening.
The holiday of darkness, Halloween, is becoming increasingly popular with adults
and children alike. According to a National Retail Federation Report, in 2010
six out of every ten people in the United States planned to celebrate Halloween.
In 2011 that number climbed to seven out of every ten, and popularity continues
to increase.
As a traditional children's holiday, Halloween revolves around the long-time
favorite activity of trick-or-treating. Children dress up in vivid costumes,
such as scary creatures, super-heroes, movie characters. After dark on Halloween
night they go door to door knocking and shouting "Trick or Treat!".
These costumed children then hold out bags or pails - the residents open the
door and drop in candy, apples, or other treats. In this day and age if the
children are refused they usually just go to the next house. However, in past
times there was a "trick" for those residents who refused children a "treat".
Often the tricks involved such mischief as egging a house.
Many communities have Halloween parties for children, or trick or treat events
held at local schools or businesses. This not only provides a safer environment
for children to enjoy the festivities; it also encourages a sense of community.
Volunteers usually come together to host and staff these children's events, and
many of the treats are donated by the community.
The Halloween holiday is increasingly becoming a community event for adults as
well. It has long been a popular night for teens and young adult to hold costume
parties. These types of Halloween celebrations have an unfortunate history of
getting out of control. In recent years however, "safe and sober" Halloween
parties have been gaining popularity across the nation.
Halloween is not only a fun holiday for children and community events - it's big
business. The average American spends over $70.00 on Halloween candy,
decorations, and costumes. With sales climbing each year, retailers are
consistently contributing to the hype - and therefore popularity - of Halloween.
From it's roots in Pagan traditions, to it's emergence as a modern myth -
Halloween is rapidly becoming one of America's favorite holidays.
