Finding shangri-la: Halloween in Northern Michigan

It's that time of year again when all the ghost and goblins come out to play. My children are grown now and don't participate in the worlds largest candy scavenger hunt anymore so I usually tag along with one of my nieces or nephews on Halloween nigh to help out my sisters and to have an excuse to get dressed up. I love seeing the children dressed up as their favorite characters from this years popular movie, running from door to door hoping that this house gives out the full sized candy bars.

The name Halloween
The word "Halloween" has evolved over the years. It's earliest appearance in the English language was back in 1745. Before that the day was referred to as All Hallows Evening. The day before all Hallows day or all saints day. A day for honoring all Saints known and unknown. As time past All Hollows Evening was shortened to All Hollows Eve ( this term is still heard today) and then eventually into Hallowe'en and then Halloween.

Why we celebrate Halloween the way we do.
There are rumors that Halloween has both Pagan and Christian roots. The name Halloween is of Christian origin but some of the traditions we still practice to this day resemble the Celtic Harvest Festival and it's Pagan influences.
The custom of "Trick or Treat" didn't start in North America until some time in the 1920 where as Britain and Ireland have been doing it sense the early 1600's. In the beginning children would go door to door wearing masks and perform a simple task, like singing a song or reciting a poem for treats. The threat of a trick if no treat was given didn't start until more recent years and is more common in North America.
Bobbing for apples is another popular Halloween practice. Bobbing for apples was first introduced to the Celtics by the Romans when they brought apple trees to Britain after their invasion. It was originally a way to find a husband or wife. Unmarried youths would Bob for apples, the first to retrieve the apple would be the next to marry. I'm sure glad we don't still do that. I wouldn't want to marry the first guy to get an apple.
Jock-o'-lanterns: the practice of carving gourds for lanterns has been around for over 700 years. They were said to keep evil spirits away and would be carried for protection or placed in the windows of homes to protect the home from spirits. Sometime in the 19th century Ireland popularized the practice of carving jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween time and the tradition stuck. Today there are contests to see who can create the most elaborate designs in their gourds.

Halloween in a Nut Shell or rather a gourd shell
All in all weather permitting (it's snowing/raining as I write this) Halloween is a magical time in young children's lives where they can dress up as anything their imaginations can create and go out door to door asking for candy. Halloween isn't just for the young though. Many parents look forward to letting themselves shed some of their inhibitions and dress up as well. I heard a statistical on the radio yesterday. For every two pieces of candy the child gets the parent eats one.
So go out into the night you beautiful princesses, scary goblins, super heroes and mermaids. Have fun but practice safety. Make sure to be with an adult. Always check your candy before eating it and make sure your visible to traffic.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!