Happy Halloween, gals and ghouls! Today we're going to talk about one of our favorite Autumn holidays, how it originated, traditions, and movies to get in the spooky spirit; we even have some titles for the kids!
Celebrated every October 31st, Halloween originated from the Celtic tradition of Samhain. Samhain is celebrated from October 31st to November 1st to welcome the harvest and the "dark half of the year." Those celebrating Samhain believe the veil separating our world from the spirit world breakdown during this period, much like the Day of the Dead. But unlike the Day of the Dead, they didn't welcome these spirits. They wore costumes to ward off the ghosts.
Pope Gregory the 3rd named November 1st All Saints Day, where those who have reached spiritual maturity are celebrated. The day before came to be known as All Hollows Eve. Do you see where we're going with this? Yup, that's where the name comes from.
With the passage of years, Halloween has become what we know it as today. Kids trick or treating, everyone dressed up, and so many fun traditions that come with this spooky holiday. Here are some of my favorite Halloween traditions:
🍬 Trick-or-Treat
Since we were kids, this was the main part of Halloween. Getting dressed up and hitting the streets to get free candy. You might be a little "too old" to take part in this old-as-time tradition, but you can always take the little ones in your life, nieces and nephews, cousins.
🎥 Movie Marathon
Talk about fright night! Have a family friendly movie night with classics like Hocus Pocus (have you seen Hocus Pocus 2?!), Witches, the Addams Family, ParaNorman, Coraline, anything Scooby Doo or a movie night that will scare your socks off: VVitch, It, Insidious, Sinister, Shitter, The Conjuring. You can find so many options on any streaming service, just look up Halloween.
🍎 Simmer Pot
Also known as "Stovetop Potpourri" this is a great way to cleanse your space, bring in the scent of autumn, and warm your house up a little bit.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Take a pot and fill it halfway with water
2. Cut a couple of apples and ornages
3. Put your apples, oranges, a couple of cinnamon sticks and some star anise in the pot with water
4. Bring to a boil and enjoy the cozy smell.
🧛 Dressing Up
This is one of my favorite parts of the holiday as an adult, the outfit, the makeup, the shoes, and maybe even dying your hair. There's nothing like getting into character and having people recognize it without having to say who you're dressed up as. Now imagine a room full of people all dressed up, some might be on theme like group costumes or couples costumes, but everyone is here to have a good time. BONUS POINTS if there is an actual contest with a prize for the winner.
🎃 Making Jack-O-Lanterns
Three things I love about this activity: 1- You get to design your own pumpkin, make it as cute or scary as you'd like, 2- it becomes decor for the season, or as long as the pumpkin doesn't go bad (cover it with Vaseline or a spray seal after cutting, and it will last way longer) and 3- you can save the seeds to plant them and have pumpkins for next year or you can wash them up and stick them in the oven with some oil and salt and make "pepitas."
🔥 Bonfire
Originally, the bonfires were to ward off spirits, nowadays, people light them to gather around them and enjoy each other's company. Get some marshmallows, chocolate, and crackers and delight in s'mores or some weenies. Gather round and share your favorite scary story, it hits different when you're surrounded by nature and nothing but the stars in the sky.
These are just my favorite things to do to get in the Halloween spirit; what are yours? Did we mention your favorite Halloween movie? if not, share it with us!
And once again, happy Halloween, witches!
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