Millions of children and adults celebrate Halloween
. It is the second most popular holiday of the year. Every fall Halloween stores open just for the holiday, sell lots of costume and then close until the following year, it's big business selling costumes and Halloween accessories for parties and decorating the house. You can create Mafia Halloween costumes for you and your friends and come as a mob.
Trick or treat originated with people dressing up to ask for food or money. These days children are more than happy just to receive loads of candy. In some cultures this is a day to honor the dead and the day is spent saying prayers at the graveyard for the loved that have passed in their family.
Centuries ago pagan peoples had all sorts of superstitions and Halloween was no exception. It was thought by the Celts that when the spirits of the dead departed they returned on Halloween to the earth to cause mischief. The Druids thought this to be a particularly good time to make predictions about the coming winter season.
When the Romans conquered the Celts the rituals of Halloween changed. The Romans believed that on Halloween they should honor their goddess Pomona who was the goddess of apples. To this day it is thought to be the origin of apple bobbing.
Europeans brought Halloween to the United States. But because of Protestant beliefs in New England the celebration was limited to storytelling, singing and dancing. Autumn festivals were common by the mid 19th century. With the immigration of the Irish in the late 1800's and common in the English and Irish tradition Americans began to dress up in costume. They would ask for money or food and it became known as trick or treating.
It was believed that owls would eat the soul of the dying. If an owl was heard hooting turning your pockets inside out would protect you. Another legend says that eating in complete silence would invite spirits to your table on Halloween night.
Whether you dress up like a Mafia kingpin or like a flapper you will be sure to have a great time in whatever costume you select. Halloween is a time for tricks and fun and parties. And then there is all that candy to enjoy after a night out of trick or treating.