The Irish tradition of ‘All Hallows’ Eve’ is still respected and followed, and the terminology remains the same. Festivals that occur are referred to as ‘Samhain’ or ‘Oiche Shamhna’, to the Irish, ‘Samhuin’ to the Scottish/Gaelic, ‘Calan Gaeaf’ to the Welsh, ‘Allantide’ to the Cornish and ‘Hop-tu-Naa’ to the Manx. Some parts of Ireland also refer to Halloween as ‘pooky night’, using the mischievous spirit, ‘puca’ as a basis for the folklore.

Magic is considered most potent during Halloween, and it’s considered a liminal time of the year. Irish tales of the ‘Sidhe’ abound as well as tall tales throughout other cultures, and ‘witch lore’, tails of witches and hobgoblins abound throughout the world.

Trick or Treat’ night is a term used for Halloween, celebrated worldwide on October 31. Children traditionally dress in costumes and add to its effect using a face painting kit.
They then go door to door in search of treats, and if they don’t get them, according to legend, become little ‘beasts’ and use ‘tricks’ to get even with those that refuse the treat.

The old tradition of face painting has been brought back to life and is used extensively for face painting at children’s Halloween parties.

Other traditions exist such as costume parties, hayrides, the visiting of haunted houses such as the celebrated house in Anoka, Minnesota, which is also known as the Halloween Capital of the World. In Anoka, the entire city is decorated for halloween and people decorate their homes for the occasion. Parades are also held to further celebrate the holiday. With such a following it is little surprise that people have picked a favourite face painting supplier, known as Snazaroo. These celebrations started in Anoka in 1920, to prevent the ‘trickery’, a.k.a. vandalism that sometimes occurs during Halloween.

Another vibrant display of Halloween partying is the world-renowned New York Village Halloween Parade, which draws tens of thousands per year. Held in Greenwich Village, the roots of this parade are far reaching. Halloween, began its mythology under the name of ‘samhain.’ It was a Pagan festival among the Celtic peoples of Ireland and Great Britain. Irish and Scottish immigrants then transported versions of the tradition to North America in the 19th Century. Halloween is now totally accepted by Americans.

The holiday of Halloween is most common in United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Peru. Parts of Western Europe started celebrating Halloween recently. Increasing popularity of this holiday is evident in Australia and New Zealand.

Remember, make your own costumes, visit places that are thrifty in price if purchasing, use your imagination when finding activities, do up your own parties and you’ll be good to go for each Halloween. Your children will build memories, you will build a repertoire for future activities and everyone will view you as the ‘Halloween Maven.’

GHOST: Grab a white sheet, cut out the eyes, and adjust the length. Make a treat bag out of the remnants.

CLOWN: Use hand-me-downs that are large and colorful, tack on pompons, buttons, bows, etc., Add a colorful wig and face paint.

SCARECROW: Beaten up old flannel shirt, jeans, and loose belt. Straw and other messy items completes the look.

OLD MAN/OLD WOMAN: Powder hair, use outdated clothing, torn socks and stockings.

HIPPY: Loud 1960s items from the attic!

1950′s GIRL/BOY: Look up 1950s gear, add saddle shoes or penny loafers and you’re good to go!

SPIDER: Use cheap black hose for legs that are stuffed, and sew or staple to black garments.

MUMMY: Cut up old white sheets, wrap over and over, leaving space for eyes, nose and mouth. Secure with safety pins.

These are just a few examples. You can do more with whatever you find at home or in a thrift store!

A sample invitation:

Attend a Halloween Pirate Party at 1122 Lansdale Road
Bring your best Pirate Costume and Attitude
Sunday, October 20th, Rain or Shine

Items Needed: Treasure Map
Name of Missing Pirates
A Knowledge of Traps and Foul Play

Once the kids have arrived, turn your home or yard into a shipwreck scene and let them find the missing pirated and treasure. Mark the trails to pirates and treasure with props, and put up decorations and danger signs. Skeletons and other Halloween markings can be used as indicators of a ‘find.’

It’s also good to use run on tattoos or face painting as a reward for found treasures or pirates as well as prizes and other goodies. Playing a Halloween movie at the end of the party completes the picture.

Sample Halloween Map:

The Secret Hiding Place of Billy Bones’ Treasure

Beware of Traps……….

Begin by following the areas marked with skeletons, to the end of the trail that is marked by a skull. Proceed to the mark of the Devil’s Head, and then dig where the X marks the spot in the earth. Unearth the treasure and return it to the table that has a witch atop it.

Using imagination can make a great Halloween theme party for your child and their friends!

Always looking for volunteers, this happy little attraction will let you be a monster, a vampire, a zombie, a mad scientist, a werewolf, or any other ghoul you like. They also like those that seek to interact with the public and the place by organizing affairs and shows. You can also build and design sets, and they welcome new ideas so bring yours too!

Haunts usually build props so handymen are welcomed. You can then watch your creations come to life and you can also take part in the marketing and design of the brochures if you’d rather push a pencil than a rake.

You can be a community volunteer by actually being a tour guide also if you have people skills. And don’t forget there are more places like this for you to choose from. Check your local listings and be a participant wherever you like. The more the merrier on Halloween!