Seek and find
Your social media timeline is probably filled with Halloween posts around this time of year. Celebrating Halloween on October 31st (and the weekend before) has become increasingly popular in the Netherlands in recent years. And I have to admit: I've been happily participating at home too since our son got into Halloween in October! But what happens during Halloween What exactly is Halloween celebrated? In this article, I'll explain a few things, from its origins to the traditions surrounding dressing up and giving candy during Halloween.
What is the real meaning of Halloween and how did it originate?
Halloween originated in Ireland and spread to America with the departure of Irish migrants. The word Halloween is derived from Halowe'en, also known as All Hallows' Eve. This literally translates to the evening before All Saints' Day. According to the Celtic calendar, the new year begins on November 1st, making October 31st "New Year's Eve." The end of the harvest season is central to this celebration! The origins of Halloween celebrations can be traced back to Christian customs associated with the All Saints' Day celebrations. Poor Christians would go door-to-door, asking for "soul cake." At each house where they received it, a prayer was recited, promising the deceased relatives of the donor a faster access to heaven. When migrants left for America, this tradition spread. Carving vegetables into lanterns was replaced by carving pumpkins because they were easier to carve. It quickly became a national celebration, similar to what we know from American films, and Halloween gradually became increasingly popular in the Netherlands as well.
What does trick or treating mean during Halloween?
When celebrating Halloween, it's customary for children (along with their parents or guardians) to go door-to-door in the evening. They'll shout "Trick or Treat" when someone opens the door. In the Netherlands, children also often shout "Trick or Treat" when neighbors open their doors. Because Halloween isn't deeply rooted in Dutch traditions, celebrating Halloween for kids is often something that's arranged in the street or neighborhood. Simply going door-to-door in Amsterdam on October 31st won't get you very far!
Why is there candy at Halloween?
As mentioned above, the children shout "Trick or Treat" or "Trick or Treat." Traditionally, the people who opened the door for the children were given a choice: they were either made fun of by the children, or they gave a piece of candy and were spared the prank. In the past, food or harvest was given during Halloween, but with increasing prosperity, this commercialization led to the distribution of candy as we know it today. People often have several kinds of candy at home, and the child can choose one themselves. Celebrating Halloween with so much candy can sometimes make the kids hysterical ;-)! What works best in our house is to let them get on with it on the night itself, and later in the week only offer something if specifically requested (they can then choose one candy). Then we make the candy magically disappear, haha!
Why do we dress up for Halloween?
From ancient Celtic traditions, houses were decorated in creepy ways to scare off ghosts during Halloween. People also wore costumes and scary masks hoping the evil spirits would overtake them that year. In the past, costumes had to be truly, truly scary. Now, the dressing up aspect has become much more of a fun part of celebrating Halloween. Costumes can also be beautiful, contemporary, and not necessarily scary.
Especially for young kids, celebrating Halloween has become a fun holiday to celebrate with friends. It also provides a lot of inspiration at home for fun things to do, from Halloween cookies baking to Halloween crafts and Halloween children's movies In that respect, the seasons and international holidays are perfect hooks for parents with (young) kids to never be bored!
Do you celebrate Halloween? I'm curious!
- 18 Pumpkin Farms Throughout the Netherlands >>
- Tips for celebrating Halloween at home (with kids) >>
- Hollowing out a pumpkin? Here's how you do it >>
- Halloween movies to scare the kids with >>
- 9 Savory Halloween Recipes >>
- 9 Recipes for the tastiest Halloween cookies >>
- Make a delicious recipe with pumpkin >>
- Halloween decoration ideas for home spotted on Instagram >>
- Halloween movies that aren't too scary >>
- The best witches movies and series to watch on demand >>
- Last minute holiday? Read about our experience at the Disney Paris Halloween Festival here >>
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
YourLBB's latest lists
Tip the editors
Spotted something fun that's opening soon or just opened? Or just a great tip that shouldn't be missing from Your Little Black Book? Let us know via the TIP THE EDITORS button!
AMSTERDAM UPDATES
Sign up for the newsletter and receive the new AMSTERDAM BUCKETLIST BOOK for free.
"*" indicates required fields
Weekend away in the Netherlands?
Your Little Black Book is packed with hundreds of staycation tips for a holiday in your own country. Find the perfect accommodation and plan that well-deserved weekend getaway!
► The holiday home overview with the best tips for the Netherlands >>
Are you following Your Little Black Book on Instagram yet?
View this post on Instagram
With love,
Anne
| PS: Do you know Your Little Black Book's Green PolicyHere you'll find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I'll explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions from all the trips #teamyourlbb makes.
Read more?
