It’s Halloween. Bags of candy clatter against one another as excited children rush from house to house, dressed as their favorite characters. Both kids and adults participate in this wonderful night as a way to be unified and gain trust in your community. Getting prepared for Halloween can be daunting. You may be unsure what costume to wear, what movies to watch, or even how to take part in Halloween without dressing up. Luckily, in this guide, you will learn all about that and more.
Origins
Halloween is a tradition that has been celebrated for over 2000 years. According to History.com, it was originally the Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celtic new year was November 1st, and people believed that New Year’s Eve was the day in which the world of the dead and the living were most connected.
To celebrate the festival, Celtic priests held giant bonfires in which people would dress up in animal pelts and make sacrifices to deities.
Eventually, the Romans conquered Celtic territory. This caused a mix of Roman and Celtic cultures. The Romans celebrated All Saints Day on November 1st and called it the night before All-Hallows Eve.
And with that, Halloween was created. Irish immigrants of the 19th century helped popularize the holiday in the US. People began to throw parties and celebrate their community. Halloween quickly became what it is today.
Costumes
There are many different costumes that are both unique and fun to wear. A lot of teens do group costumes or duo costumes. Some costume ideas include characters from The Wizard of Oz, Scooby Doo, and Willy Wonka. You could also be Despicable Me characters or the Inside Out emotions. Costumes ideas can be taken from any movie or show.
Candy
One of the most important aspects of Halloween, candy has been given out in many different ways. At doors, in baskets with signs reading Take One, or even in school as a reward for a job well done. It’s a delicious dessert that varies from brand to brand.
According to NBC, consumers spend an estimated $3.5 billion on Halloween candy this year. Halloween candy is important to the very structure of Halloween, and that is shown through the massive amount of money people spend on annually.
Ever wonder what the most popular candies are? Nationally, M&M’s takes the number one spot, with Reese’s Cups and Sour Patch Kids trailing respectively.
In the state of New York, Sour Patch Kids is in first. In second place is Hot Tamales, and in third is Candy Corn.
Candy corn is a surprisingly controversial candy. While one of the most iconic and highly rated candies in the US, it is also ranked as one of the worst candies.
Movies
Horror movies are a staple of Halloween. They provide frights on the spookiest night of the year, and are often associated with Halloween itself. There are many scary movies to watch, such as Halloween, Scream, and Nightmare on Elm Street.
Looking for a film to watch with younger kids? Try It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Ghostbusters, The Addams Family, and Beetlejuice.
If you’re not into scary movies, there are also some comedic films that’ll get you right into the Halloween mood. We Have a Ghost is a comedy that follows a family finding a ghost in their attic. Hocus Pocus is a classic film that follows what happens when three witches begin to cause chaos.
Alternative Ideas
Too cool for trick or treating? There are many alternatives that will make your Halloween super fun. For a relaxed Halloween, you could host a movie night. Get a bowl of popcorn, some classic candy, and invite your friends to watch a movie.
Parties are also a highlight of Halloween. You could go with the standard costume party, but you could plan a murder-mystery party as well.
Haunted houses are a fun way to get scared. Most haunted houses hire actors before the holiday, so if that’s your style make sure to sign up early.