Halloween is certainly a fascinating holiday. It is one of
the most awaited holidays celebrated October 31 every year.
It is a time of
getting into the crazy stuff,
children or adults, wearing fancy clothes and
experiencing fantasy or temporarily hiding in pseudo-persona without being
laughed at. It is the only season in a year when people try to be in scary
sometimes funny clothes as they await the eve of the “All Saints’ Day.” It is
considered as a fun time for kids, putting on spooky
costumes, and going
door-to-door to get candies and other goodies as they shout, “Treat or Trick”
in the neighborhood. But have you ever wondered where the fascination in
Halloween costumes or Halloween itself began? History books will tell Halloween
is derived from the words “All Hallows Eve.” This is the end of summer in Northwestern
Europe. It is followed by “All Hallows Day” or popularly known as
the “All Saints Day,” which is celebrated on November 1. Tracing back its early
beginnings, this started in ancient Ireland
and Scotland
during the time of Christ. The Celts commemorated October 31 as the end of
summer. It was also during this period when the animal herders led their
animals into barns and pens in preparation for the winter. It was the period
for good harvest. However, religious and conservative groups brand this
celebration as a time of dark origin. This is where witches, ghouls, goblins,
and ghost stories come from. Although generally many look at Halloween as a
harmless time of fun, some consider the merry-making of these people as a demon-inspired
night. Also, various superstitions are associated in the celebration of the
Halloween. There are stories about fairies and spirits of the dead roaming around
the streets and dark places as they look for some living bodies to possess.
Since the living would not want to be victims of possessions, they are also
dressing up in freaky costumes and parade all night making loud noises to boo
the spirits away. Whether or not there is such harm in celebrating Halloween,
many people will still continue the tradition of making this an exciting
holiday. Thoughts vary why October 31 seems to be a special day for most people
around the globe. Many may agree that just like any other holidays, the
Halloween is a stress-free event, free from pressures from work or at school.
This is when you get to meet different types of people. Kids also gain more
friends as they tag along with other children in a Halloween party. Parents are
part of the big-bash celebration meeting the moms and dads of their children’s
friends. Through this, it is one way of creating a community of new
acquaintances. The Halloween experience puts people together from all walks of
life while in the streets at night with their lamps or torches or flashlights.
In doing so, this does not make anyone different from the rest based on their
income, sex, age, religion or sexual preference. It is a night of bonding
people of different backgrounds since anybody can participate. It is also a way
of exemplifying artistic sense and displaying one’s creativity through the
chosen costumes. It is generally a children’s affair of having that thrill of
dressing out-of-this world outfits bought or made by their parents and the
excitement of seeing their children in very intricate, ghost-like garments.
These activities, along with the new friends and experiences, make Halloween
costumes a tradition worth-remembering.