Halloween, history and annual fun with fun activities
Halloween.
Also spelled Hallowe’en. An annual holiday celebrated on October 31. But many trick-or-treaters of all ages don’t know where this holiday comes from and what it’s really all about.
To see important ads, turn off your ad blocker! Article continued below:Halloween has origins in the ancient Gaelic festival known as Samhain, which is dervied from Old Irish and means roughly “summer’s end”. A similar festival was held by the ancient Britons and is known as Calan Gaeaf.
The festival of Samhain celebrates the end of the “lighter half” of the year and beginning of the “darker half”, and is sometimes regarded as the “Celtic New Year”.
On All Hallows’ eve, the ancient Celts would place a skeleton on their window sill to represent the departed. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip or rutabaga.
Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body, containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the “head” of the vegetable to frighten off harmful spirits.
Welsh, Irish and British myth are full of legends of the Brazen Head, which may be a folk memory of the widespread ancient Celtic practice of headhunting.
The results of which were often nailed to a door lintel or brought to the fireside to speak their wisdom.
Halloween costumes are traditionally those of monsters such as ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. They are said to be used to scare off demons.
Costumes are also based on themes other than traditional horror, such as those of characters from television shows, movies, and other pop culture icons.
Halloween and kids.
What child doesn’t love Halloween?
It is a time when everyone—adults and children alike—get to play dress up, eat candy, and enjoy spooky tales of ghosts and goblins.
For years children were able to celebrate Halloween in the traditional way of going for house to house saying “Trick or Treat”. Knowing that there would always be a treat.
Halloween, inspired party starts with a costume parade.
The kids of the neighborhood went door to door and orange and black streamers lined front porches.There is something about Halloween which really catches the imaginations of children – perhaps it is all the candy and sweets!
Make a mummy.
Put kids in groups of three and give each group a couple of rolls of cheap toilet tissue. They have to use the tissue to wrap one of the group into a mummy: the fastest wins.
Guess the ghost.
Get all the kids together, then send one of them out of the room. Cover one of the remaining kids with a sheet and get the rest of them to race around so they’re standing in different positions from when their friend left the room. He then comes back in and has one minute to guess which kid is the ghost.
Hunt the eyeball.
Draw bloodshot eyeballs onto ping pong balls and hide them for kids to find.
Zombie zoo.
Have all the kids but one lie on the floor pretending to be zombies: they’re not allowed to make any sound or movement whatsoever. The extra kid has to do whatever he can to make them laugh or wriggle… last zombie wins.
Find Frankenstein.
Split kids into groups of three or four, each with a large sheet of construction paper, glue, a different magazine and safety scissors. Give them a list of body parts – it can be both people and animal: for example, three eyes; four legs; a dog’s head; a horse’s tail.
They have to find those body parts in the magazine, cut them out and glue them to the construction paper in an approximation of a Halloween monster.
Spot the slime.
Fill plastic ziplock bags with ‘slime’ – mashed banana, cooked-until-soggy pasta or spaghetti, grapefruit peelings, lumpy oatmeal, damp pretzels or potato chips, baked beans. The kids have to put their hands in while blindfolded and guess what it is!
Halloween, how to celebrate this holiday for adults?
Halloween can be a fun and spooky holiday for adults too! Here are some ideas.
Costume Party.
Host a Halloween costume party and invite your friends and family to join in the fun. Encourage everyone to dress up in creative and spooky costumes.
Horror Movie Marathon. Set up a scary movie marathon with your favorite horror films. You can watch classics like “The Shining,” “Halloween,” or modern favorites like “Get Out” or “Hereditary.”
Or many cities have haunted houses and attractions that are designed to scare you. Visit a local haunted house with friends for a thrilling experience.
Pumpkin Carving.
Get creative with pumpkin carving. You can have a pumpkin carving contest or simply enjoy some pumpkin carving with friends. Don’t forget to roast the pumpkin seeds for a tasty treat!
Themed Dinner.
Host a Halloween-themed dinner party with spooky decorations and dishes. You can make “mummy dogs” (hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough), “eyeball punch” (a red punch with lychees for eyeballs), and more.
Ghost Stories.
Gather around a campfire or a cozy living room and share spooky ghost stories. You can even make up your own tales for added fun.
Costume Contest.
If you’re not hosting a party, consider attending one with a costume contest. You can showcase your creativity and possibly win a prize.
Scavenger Hunt!
Organize a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or a nearby park. Create clues and riddles related to Halloween and have participants search for hidden treasures.
DIY Decorations.
Get crafty and make your own Halloween decorations. It’s a fun way to get into the spirit of the holiday and personalize your space.
Witches’ Brew.
Make a spooky and delicious “witches’ brew” cocktail with your favorite adult beverages. You can find many recipes online to suit your taste.
Visit a Halloween Event: Look for Halloween-themed events in your area, like masquerade balls, haunted hayrides, or themed nightclub parties.
Volunteer.
Consider volunteering at a local haunted house or charity event. Many organizations need help during the Halloween season, and it’s a great way to give back while having fun.
Day of the Dead Celebration.
Explore the rich traditions of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, which typically takes place around the same time as Halloween. You can create an ofrenda (altar) or attend a cultural event.
Escape Room.
Challenge yourself and friends to an escape room experience with a Halloween theme. It’s a fun and interactive way to celebrate the holiday.
Remember to prioritize safety and be respectful of others during your Halloween celebrations. Whether you prefer spooky or lighthearted activities, there are plenty of ways for adults to enjoy this festive holiday.
