Every October, as the air gets a little crisper and the leaves begin to turn, something magical happens. Porches become home to grinning pumpkins, stores fill up with giant bags of candy, and costume shops do a roaring trade. Halloween is a time of spooky fun, celebrated with everything from horror movie marathons to trick-or-treating. Learn where trick-or-treating and other spooky traditions came from with these fun facts.
The Evolution Of Halloween Traditions
As customs spread and cultures mixed, Halloween traditions changed. The holiday that arrived in America with Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century was very different from the one we know today.
Trick-Or-Treating Became Popular In The 1930s
While its roots go back to “souling,” trick-or-treating as we know it didn’t become a widespread practice in the United States until the 1930s. It was seen as a way for communities to manage the pranks and vandalism that had become common on Halloween night. By offering small treats to children, homeowners could avoid having tricks played on them.
Candy Corn Was Originally Called “Chicken Feed”
This iconic, tri-colored candy was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company. At the time, about half of Americans worked on farms, so candy companies often marketed agricultural-themed treats. The Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly) started producing it in 1898 and marketed it as “Chicken Feed.” The box was even illustrated with a rooster.
Halloween Is The Second-Largest Commercial Holiday In The US
Halloween is big business. After Christmas, Americans spend more money on Halloween than any other holiday. The National Retail Federation estimates that consumers spend over $10 billion annually on costumes, candy, decorations, and parties.
The Most Popular Candy Is A Subject Of Debate
For years, candy corn and Skittles have battled for the top spot. However, according to recent sales data, the most popular Halloween candy is actually Reese’s Cups. Each year, enough Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are sold to provide one to every person in the USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, China, Africa, and India.
Spooky Facts And Modern Myths
Over time, Halloween has picked up its own set of modern myths and curious records.
The Fear Of Halloween Is A Real Phobia
For some people, Halloween is anything but fun. The fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia. This can include a general fear of the holiday itself or specific fears related to Halloween imagery, like ghosts, witches, and zombies.
A Full Moon On Halloween Is Very Rare
The image of a full moon on Halloween night is a classic horror trope, but it’s actually quite rare. A full moon on October 31 happens only about every 19 years, a pattern known as the Metonic cycle. The last one was in 2020, and the next one won’t be until 2039.
The “Monster Mash” Was A Novelty Hit
Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s famous Halloween song “Monster Mash” was released in 1962. It was intended to be a novelty song, but it shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart just before Halloween that year. It has been a seasonal favorite ever since.
Some Shelters Won’t Adopt Out Black Cats In October
Sadly, due to old superstitions linking black cats to witchcraft and bad luck, some animal shelters and rescue groups pause or limit black cat adoptions during the month of October. They do this to protect the animals from being used as Halloween props or, in worst-case scenarios, being harmed in rituals.
Traditions From Around the World
While the American version of Halloween is well-known, many cultures have their own unique ways of honoring the dead.
In The Philippines, Children Practice Pangangaluluwa
Similar to souling, this tradition involves children going door-to-door on Halloween night, singing songs in exchange for treats. It is believed that they are acting as the souls of the dead, visiting their former homes.
Some Parts Of Ireland Celebrate With Barnbrack
Barnbrack, a type of sweet bread with fruit, is a traditional Irish Halloween treat. Baked inside the bread are various objects, each predicting the future for the person who finds it. A ring means you will soon be married, a coin means wealth, and a piece of cloth means bad luck.
Austria Has The Pumpkin Festival
In the Austrian region of Retzer Land, the town of Retz hosts a massive pumpkin festival each year. The event features a parade of spooky, carved pumpkins, and locals dress up as witches and ghosts.
In China, There Is The Hungry Ghost Festival
It’s believed that during this time, the gates of the underworld open, and ghosts are free to roam the earth. To appease the ghosts, people offer food, burn incense, and create papier-mâché items like cars and houses to send to their deceased relatives in the afterlife.
