Halloween. It's the time of year when monsters and spirits come out of hiding to haunt the world of the living. The night of the 31st is packed with frightful delight as children go door-to-door in costume, asking for tricks and treats while their parents watch from afar. It's our favorite spooky, ooky, kooky time of the year!
But have you ever wondered how all of these festivities came to be? If you love Halloween just as much as we do and have always been interested in learning more about the holiday's history, now's your chance. We did the research so you don't have to. Keep on reading to learn more about the history of Halloween and how it's evolved into today's celebrations.
Where was Halloween first celebrated?
According to History.com, Halloween was influenced by the festival Samhain, which was celebrated in (what is now) Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. Emigrants from those areas brought the Halloween traditions to North America.
What is another name for Halloween?
Halloween is also known as Hallowe'en, Hallows' Evening, Hallows' Even, Allhalloween, All Hallow's Eve, or All Saints' Eve.
Why do people dress in costumes for Halloween?
Many believe this tradition derived from the Celts and Irish, celebrating a Druidic festival known as Samhain. For some, costumes and masks were used to ward off evil spirits. For others, they were used to assist in communicating with the spirit world. Nowadays, costumes are used for celebrating. They are more lighthearted and most do not have a spiritual connection.
How is Halloween celebrated?
Halloween is celebrated in a multitude of ways. Some people will host/attend Halloween-themed parties, while others visit haunted houses and pumpkin patches in search of some scares. The most classic traditions include trick-or-treating, carving jack-o'-lanterns, and having parties.
Which city is the Halloween capital of the world?
Anoka, Minnesota is known as "The Halloween Capital of the World." In 1920, the city began the Anoka Halloween celebration, a weeklong celebration which included a parade and bonfire to combat the amount of tricks versus treats that were happening. The city is believed to be the first to host an official Halloween celebration in the country.
How to store Halloween costumes
The first step to ensure proper storage of your Halloween costumes is cleaning them. After cleaning, make sure they are entirely dry to prevent mold. Once your costumes are completely dry, keep them sealed in an air-tight bag to prevent dust, pests, and germs from gathering.
How to store Halloween decorations
The first step to ensure proper storage of your Halloween decorations is cleaning them. After cleaning, make sure they are entirely dry to prevent mold. Once your decorations are completely dry and free of pests, store them into containers and be sure to label them so they are easy to find the next year.
Where can I buy Halloween decorations?
If you're looking to deck out your house or yard this year with spine-chilling decor, some of the best places to find decorations include garage sales, thrift stores, or even here at HalloweenCostumes.com. We have over 700 decorations for you to choose from, so let's get spooky!
What are costume props?
Costume props, also known as accessories, are items that help bring your costume to life. Think handcuffs for cop costumes, swords for pirate costumes, wands for witch costumes, the list could go on. Costume props aren't necessary but will definitely help give your costume a more 'finished' look.
What are easy Halloween costumes?
Witches, ninjas, pirates, cowboys, and fairies are all quick and easy costume ideas but if you're looking to go an extra step, check out our article on Easy Halloween Makeup Tutorials for Beginners for looks that are quick and easy to put together.
What are classic Halloween costumes?
These are ten of the most classic Halloween costumes:
- Ghost
- Witch
- Vampire
- Princess
- Skeleton
- Zombie
- Prisoner
- Fireman
- Police
- Cat/Dog
What should I dress as for Halloween?
Is there a character from a movie that you always role-played as a child? Or even a character from something you currently love? That's a great place to start! The best part of Halloween is that you're allowed to be whoever you'd like to be with no judgment. If you're in need of inspiration, check out our costume guides.
What was the most interesting thing you learned? Let us know in the comments! If you have more frightfully fun history tidbits on the ghoulish holiday, let us know below. We hope you have a great Halloween, full of candy, scares, and costume fun!