Learn About Halloween Traditions

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When you and your family celebrate Halloween together, you are taking part in a tradition that stretches back for centuries. Many of the activities and customs that we participate in every October are borrowed from medieval rituals and festivals. Let's take a look at some of the things that make Halloween such a special holiday.

Trick Or Treating

The most widely recognized part of Halloween, of course, is getting the kids all dressed up as their favorite animals, superheroes, or cartoon characters, and hitting the neighborhood for an evening of trick or treating. The roots of this Halloween tradition go back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, in which villagers wore costumes and Masks in an effort to scare off evil spirits during a time of year when they were considered to be especially dangerous.

Although we are no longer trying to scare away harmful spirits, trick or treating still plays a fundamental role in any Halloween celebration. From parents escorting their children around the neighborhood for the first time, to neighbors handing out candy to the children who bring happiness and playfulness to the community, trick or treating is a tradition that everyone can enjoy.

Halloween Hayrides

Although a relatively new tradition in the folklore of Halloween, gathering up the kids for a Halloween hayride is still an exciting event for everyone who participates. Hayrides provide something different for the children of the neighborhood to enjoy, and brings with it a spirit of community togetherness. Some communities combine trick or treating with their hayride, which brings a unique set of benefits to the neighborhood. Children get to share their Halloween experience with all of the children in the neighborhood, and neighborhood residents get to see all of the kids at one time rather than being interrupted all evening long by ringing doorbells. Hayrides typically require a tractor (and a responsible adult to drive it), a trailer, some hay, and some adults to volunteer to ride or walk along the side of the trailer to keep the kids inside safe.

Costume Parties

Trick or treating isn't the only reason to put on a costume, either. Costume parties are also a fun reason to get dressed up. Halloween is a great time to throw a costume party, an idea that combines the fun of Halloween with the mystery of a masquerade ball. It allows adults and teenagers who have gotten too old for trick-or-treating the opportunity to put on their own costumes and have a good time with their friends. Costume parties can be as varied in style and activity as any other party. Some costume parties are family friendly and are meant for everyone to enjoy, while other parties may be thrown with adult tastes in mind, such as the inclusion of adult beverages or dance floors.

No matter what you do to celebrate Halloween this year, from putting on a costume for a party to taking part in a Halloween hayride, you will be doing your part to celebrate the traditions that make Halloween the unique holiday that it has been for generations.

Cassie Jilari has loved Halloween for as long as she can remember. She has studied the holiday and come to appreciate the history behind it. But, she admits that dressing up is her favorite aspect of Halloween. Possible costume ideas include a Power Ranger costume or a soldier Halloween costume.