Yes, the spookiest time of the year looms! Whilst here in the UK, Halloween is not as popular as it is in the USA, it is becoming more and more popular each year. But do you know how it all started? Do you know why we ‘Trick or Treat’?….
1 The origins of Halloween began 2,000 years ago
According to History.com, the first Halloween celebrations can be traced back to the ancient Celts who lived in the area now occupied by Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, and celebrated a festival called Samhain on October 31st.
2 You’ve been spelling Halloween wrong!
Don’t worry I have too! Although Halloween is now the accepted spelling the correct way is actually Hallowe’en. Halloween derives from All Hallows Eve which is why the correct spelling has an apostrophe in it.
3 A full moon on Halloween is extremely rare
Halloween photos usually depict a full moon that is beaming, but a full moon occurring on Halloween only occurs three or four times every century. On average, the moon is full every 19 years on Halloween, with the last occurrence in 2020! So, unfortunately, we could be waiting a while for the next one.
4 Trick-or-treating has been around for a long time
The roots of trick-or-treating date back to the Samhain festival, where people would prepare banquet tables with food left out to placate unwelcome spirits.In later centuries, people began to perform antics in exchange for food and drink. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages and is thought to be an antecedent of trick-or-treating. By the 19th century, trick-or-treating got a little adventurous; trick-or-treaters would do doorstep performances of dancing, singing and telling jokes for their treat, a tradition known as mumming.
5 Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween
Samhainophobia is a term rooted in ancient pagan traditions, defined as an unwarranted fear of Halloween!
6 While pumpkins are typically orange, they can also be green, white, red and blue
One of the first signs of Autumn you will notice is when orange pumpkins line the shelves of supermarkets or Instagram is full pumpkin picking pictures! However, did you know that there are several other pumpkin colours to enjoy including white pumpkins, yellow pumpkins and even blue!
7 Black and orange are typically associated with Halloween
Whilst this Halloween fact may not come as a surprise, did you know the significance of the two colours? It is said that orange is the symbol of strength and endurance, as well as representing autumn, whilst black represents the cold and dark winter and as a symbol of death, acting as a reminder that Halloween once was a festival that celebrated the spirits of the dead.
8. Americans are BIG spenders! In the USA, an es In the USA, an estimated £4.3 billion is spent on Halloween celebrations.
9. UK spend big too! Halloween lures more and more people towards its festive and spooky spirit in the United Kingdom with us Brits spending around £474 million!
10. Keep an eye on your sweets! Did you know that over 90% of parents steal their children’s Halloween sweets!
