As the second largest commercial holiday, second to Christmas, everyone knows about the spooky holiday that comes every year on October 31st. But most don’t know Halloween’s origins and various interpretations on the myths and superstitions.
Modern day Halloween is a night of pranks, dressing up as super heroes, and trick-or-treating. But these traditions are far off from the original holiday tracing traditions back to the 8th century. Halloween is continuing to evolve, although the basic traditions are traced back to two different celebrations. First, the Catholic’s All Saint’s Day, later known as All Souls Day, which honors the dead and the Celtic Festival of Samhain which were both held on October 31st. Samhain was a feast to mark the beginning of winter and it was believed that ghosts would return to earth to damage the crops.
As it became popular in America it was more of a secular but community-centered holiday with parties, parades and town-wide parties. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday. A large part of this money comes from candy for trick-or-treating, costumes, and Halloween parties. It was believed that on Halloween, ghosts come back to earth and to keep ghosts away, people put bowls of candy in front of their doors to prevent them from entering. And in order to walk amongst the ghosts, people would wear masks.
And there are a few traditions that focused on the future, not the past. A common game at Halloween parties still to this day is to bob for apples. But did you know that the first successful “apple-bobber” at a party would be the first to walk down the aisle next?
Barrister Executive Suites, Inc. wishes you a safe and happy Halloween!
And as a Halloween Special, we are offering a $50 gift card to AMC to the first person to answer the following question correctly.
Email your response to leasing@barrister-suites.com.*
In the Peanut movie classic “It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown’ what is Linus’ full name?”
A: Linus Van Pelt
B: Linus Loomas
C: Linus Brown
D: Linus Von Plut
* Only one winner shall be awarded. Each email address may only submit one response.