Happy Halloween!

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Halloween In The History

Halloween was originally a pagan holiday celebrated by Celtic people and born from the pagan holiday Samhain.

Samhain is a holiday that celebrates the dark season of the Celtic year. Gallic people also celebrated this holiday; which was called "Samonios". Samonios has been replaced in Gallic countries by Christian celebrations.

Samhain was celebrated three days before November 1st and three days after and the origin of there was no carved pumpkin nor trick or treating. People had a lantern made out of a turnip. The celebration was strictly observed by the whole society and gave the opportunity to every barbarian to eat, drink and have fun.

Over the centuries, continental Europe converted to Christianity and abandoned Samonios in favour of All Saints Day and Samhain became All Hallow's Eve.

However, the Halloween that we currently celebrate has nothing in common with Samhain. Halloween and All Saints are still interrelated because Halloween means "The night before the feast of All Saints'. There was also "All Hallow's Day" which was our Continental all Saints Day.

All Hallow's Eve; which evolved during the Christianization of European populations, was imported in America by European colonists and the current Halloween holiday was created by the Irish emigrants.

If you're interested in learning which country does celebrate Halloween and what's the meaning of Halloween in other countries, read on :)

Oh and by the way, just click here to download a free Happy Halloween book that includes Halloween coloring pages, recipes, songs for your kids as well as a bunch of Halloween ideas for adults :)

 

Which Country Does Celebrate Halloween? 

Halloween All Over The World

All countries don't celebrate Halloween the same way ; many countries don't celebrate Halloween and some only begin to make Halloween a festive day.

France
French people think that this holiday is too commercial and while this country finally adopted Halloween in the late 1990s, it is now less appreciated. There are very few children ringing at the doors and asking for sweets.

Belgium

Halloween is not a traditional holiday; however, Belgians began to organize some parties and/or activities 10-15 years ago but it's hard to get more people to join this 24-hours fun as many of them still refuse to adopt it, preferring to celebrate their own Samhain-style holiday. Additionally, Belgians don't open their doors to unknown people - including children - and trick or treating is considered as begging.

England
English people celebrate Halloween just a few days before the Guy Fawkes Day (on November 5th) and adapted customs from Samhain; which are highly popular. These festivities are marked by torchlight parades where children use masks made from beets and pumpkins and associated apple games such as apple bobbing with Halloween.

Scotland
Scottish people practice their ancient pagan rites. Children wear costumes and cut scary faces into large rutabagas and place a candle inside them. They receive candy when they provide a nice entertainment to their neighbours.

 

Ireland
Trick or treating originated in Ireland, so as usual, Irish children in disguise will enjoy the Halloween festivities, they will carry lanterns cut into large rutabagas. Children will be received by their neighbours with sweets and Irish houses will be decorated with Halloween lights.

Spain
Spanish people enjoy each kind of holidays and parties. Their kids will then enjoy receiving candies from their neighbours and adults will have the opportunity to have a Halloween party in each and every club. Spanish people also organize many Halloween parades.

Portugal
Portugal does not celebrate Halloween; Portuguese people celebrate the Day of the Dead by organizing feasts at the cemetery.

Italy
Some regions of Italy organize Halloween Events and it seems that the Italian children enjoy this holiday.

Other European countries
Other European cities and clubs organize commercial events for Halloween (mainly for tourists), newspapers publish articles dedicated to Halloween, but I am unsure that people really practice Halloween. There are very few information about Halloween festivities in Europe; especially Central and eastern Europe. They stick to their own All Saints Day and Day Of The Dead.

Oceania
Australia and New Zealand begin to enjoy Halloween.

North America
USA, Canada, and Quebec: Halloween is very much appreciated and I think that only some worldwide disaster should prevent these people to celebrate Halloween.

China
Since some years, there is a growing interest on the part of the Chinese population for western events: Chinese people enjoy Halloween parties.

Halloween All Around The World 


Halloween in Australia

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Halloween House Miramar New Zealand

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Halloween Louvain la Neuve Belgique

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Halloween a Italia in Miniatura

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Halloween in Spain! 2007 BOOOO!

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Halloween in England, 2008

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Walking the streets of Dublin, Ireland Halloween 2008

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Halloween Time at Disneyland - Grim Grinning Ghosts Song

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Halloween Québec 2004

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curated content from YouTube

A Little Halloween Dance? 

The Monster Mash

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curated content from YouTube

Children Do Not Want Fairy Costumes For Halloween 

Since many centuries, Belgians celebrated All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead on 1st and 2nd of November instead of Halloween and I wouldn't say those are funny topics to write about.

While working in a school and having to deal with after school activities for kids and the writing of an Halloween costumes for kids related article, one day, I asked the chidlren what kind of Halloween costume they would like to wear on October 31st.

OMG! I was so disappointed. I mean, when I was a child, my favorite Carnival costumes were those of a princess, a baroness, Snow-White, etc. Boys were all dressed as Robin Hood, The prince of Arabian Nights, cow-boys, indians, musketeers...

But what kind of costume do the children of the 21st century like?


Here are some examples:

Sylvie, who's only 10 years old would like to wear a Scream's murderer costume (including the mask and the knife!) She enjoyed the movies so much!

Anaïs answer was the following one:

"I want to dress a rich witch costume, with a pointy hat, a black wig, a large hooked nose with a big button on it, long nails like claws and pointed shoes".

Agon hesitated between the Devil's costume: the same as in the bible, with a tail, a fork, horns... or a pirate costume.

"As Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean?"

"No, I want to be a skeleton-ghost-pirate."

Another one answered:

"I want to dress the Monster Mash costume, Madame".

The kid probably heard talking about the Monster Mash when he watched The Simpsons' Halloween show. I love the Monster Mash song but never saw the Monster Mash in person and I do not think that someone saw this monster and knows what kind of costume he dresses.

The youngest children interviewed want to dress a Superman or a Batman costume.

My greatest surprise was Cynthia's answer, whose nickname is Brutus because she is not a delicate young girl. Cynthia wants to wear the most beautiful princess costume.

So, the top 5 Children Halloween Costumes are:

  • Scream's murderer costume
  • Witch Costume
  • The Devil's costume
  • Pirate costume
  • Spiderman or Batman costume.
  • 60's and 70's Science Fiction Halloween Costume Ideas 

    Star Wars Darth Vader-- Boys CostumeThe sixties and seventies were abundant in television and films series that can inspire you a unique Halloween costume.

    A great number of high quality TV shows and movies like The Prisoner, The invaders, Marcus Welby MD, The Six Million Dollar Man, etc., have been brought to the screen during the sixties and the seventies.

    These series are an infinite source of inspiration for anyone who is looking for a Halloween costume.

    But the 60's and the 70's have been especially productive in science fiction accessible to the general public and in particular to the whole family. While there were films beforehand in science fiction, the 60's and the 70's made science fiction into a household genre and there were two specific series that helped get this done.

    Whether you are looking for a great 60's or 70's Halloween costume, you should consider the science fiction genre of this period of time. Indeed, these two decades have been highly productive in intergalactic TV or movie series.

    Star Treck Halloween Costumes 

    Star Trek Classic Captain Kirk Deluxe Shirt Adult CostumeThe first one of these series is Star Trek, the brainchild of Gene Roddenberry. Of course, Star Trek was famous for things like the first interracial kiss and the use of physics in a way that confused many people, but it was also very famous for the types of costumes worn by the crew of the memorable starship USS Enterprise.

    For example, if you are a Star Trek captain from this time period, you would be wearing a uniform that involved a mustard top and black trousers. That kind of clothing will be immediately recognized by anyone who liked the Star Trek series.

    Another great example, Star Trek was also renowned for "redshirt syndrome", in which a non-main character in a red shirt would beam down to a planet with the team and get killed.

    This type of costume is surely highly original and easy to make at home and could earn you some laughs and cheers this upcoming Halloween.

    Star Trek Movie Deluxe Spock Blue Shirt Costume Adult Large

    Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

    Star Trek Original TV Series COMMAND Chest Insigna PIN

    Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

    Star Treck on TV and in Movies 

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    NEW Star Trek (2009) - Officia...

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    Startreck Trailer (2009)

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    Mitchell's fun house star wars...

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    automatically generated by YouTube"

    Go Get your Halloween Costume Today! 

    No Halloween costume, no successful Halloween party!

    Here's a bunch of Halloween costume ideas for you to choose from :)

    Star Wars Halloween Costumes 

    Star Wars Luke Skywalker Deluxe Child CostumeStar Trek was not the only science fiction series to get its start during these two decades. Indeed, another popular series of movies was created during this time frame: Star Wars.

    Involving a form of energy called "The Force", many alien creatures as well as special effects generated by high technology, Star Wars was created by George Lucas and was a totally different style than Star Trek as well as the other science fiction series.

    Star Wars' main characters are Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and Darth Vader, which are an excellent basis to create an original costume.

    A few other extremely famous characters are imperial soldiers in grey uniforms, storm troopers and starfighter pilots in orange-white uniforms that are also quickly recognizable.

    Rubies Costume Star Wars Child's Hooded Jedi Robe, Small

    Amazon Price: $15.97 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now
    List Price: $24.99

    Usually ships in 1-2 business days

    Clone Trooper Costume Child Standard Star Wars - Medium 8-10 md

    Amazon Price: $21.23 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now
    List Price: $39.99

    Usually ships in 1-2 business days

    Star Wars Collectors Edition Stormtrooper Adult X-Large Costume

    Amazon Price: $429.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now
    List Price: $1,062.99

    Usually ships in 1-2 business days

    Adults' Deluxe Star Wars Jedi Robe Costume

    Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now
    List Price: $49.99

    Usually ships in 24 hours

    Star Wars Princess Leia Deluxe Adult Costume

    Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now
    List Price: $69.99

    Usually ships in 24 hours

    Star Wars in Movies 

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    Grocery Store Wars (2005)

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    Lego Star Wars - For the milli...

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    'Star Wars (John Williams Is T...

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    automatically generated by YouTube"

    Halloween Costume Ideas For Oversized Persons and/or Pregnant Women 

    Witch Mommy To Be Adult CostumeCostume concepts are passably hard to come by for the category of overweight people or pregnant women, but that doesn't mean that you have to just shirk away from the holiday and do nothing. Ideas may be hard to find, but they are manageable and in case you be a little creative and humorous in your approach you will unquestionably get a lot of things that are worthwhile ideas finally.

    For instance, as a pregnant woman why not just go to Halloween as a pregnant woman? This costume may be found by a few as a bit of a cop out, but you have to do something to it to actually turn it into a costume. Let's say you search in the magazines and see a famous person who is pregnant and then do your hair, make-up and clothes up to look like that celebrity, you can unquestionably have a lot of pleasure walking around the party all night and then playing like that celebrity for the delight of the other people at the party.

    Massive Mobster Adult CostumeAnimal costumes also make for effective ideas for persons that are sized largely. Any animal costume will do finally, but in case you feel like having a little humour with the occasion you can always go as an animal that people often use as an affront to plus sized persons. These animals include things like elephants and hippos and obviously when you tell them the story of your costume you can toss that in for good measure. Humour can get the better of a lot of bad situations in life and the Halloween costume idea is simply one of the manners in which that is manifested.

    Finally, a last original Halloween costume idea for big sized people is to go to the party as a mobster. In all of the movies that deal with the crime syndicate there are constantly individuals in the meeting that are weighty and admitting you were to imitate one of those characters you would definitely win big on the evening. This original idea has the added benefit of simply requiring you to do your hair a certain manner and wear a suit and thus is a costume that can be completely homemade without you having to go out and buy anything.

    Elephant Foam Hat [Toy]

    Amazon Price: $3.32 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

    Pregnant Halloween Costume

    Amazon Price: $36.99 (as of 11/28/2009) Buy Now

    Arsenic And Old Lace 

    The Monster Mash

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    curated content from YouTube

    Homemade Halloween Illuminations 



    Here is an almost free Halloween craft!

    Paint small jars in black, white and orange.

    Draw some Halloween shapes on them and insert a tea light candle in each jar.

    For instance, paint a white jar, draw Scream murderer's eyes and mouth and voila, you have an original ghost light.

    Place the Halloween candles on a black tray, insert mini pumpkins, maple berries and leaves, etc.

    If you have bigger jars, you may paint them as well and pour in Christmas lights.

    Halloween Party Pictures 

    Halloween Cuties From the West Branch by Manchester Library

    Halloween Cuties Fro...

    EF Halloween Party. by peruisay

    EF Halloween Party.

    157/365 Float Warehouse by eiratansey

    157/365 Float Wareho...

    Bottle and Skull by The Written Geek™

    Bottle and Skull

    IMG_5797 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5797

    IMG_5811 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5811

    IMG_5812 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5812

    IMG_5857 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5857

    IMG_5835 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5835

    IMG_5846 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5846

    IMG_5822 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5822

    IMG_5833 by maria.rocio

    IMG_5833

    automatically generated by Flickr

    Program a Few Halloween Activities 

    Need ideas on the kind of activities to offer to your guests on Halloween night or simply want to turn on the Halloween atmosphere on your home?

    Here's a bunch of great Halloween lenses that might help you :)

    Prepare your Halloween Party Well in Advance! 

    Here are a few useful lenses that will help you make the most of your Halloween party!

    Did you Enjoy your Halloween Tour? 

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