Why Do We Do That On Halloween?

Have you ever wondered how Halloween traditions such as trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins and dressing in costume got started? We have the answers!

Why do kids trick-or-treat on Halloween?

Trick-or-treating originated on All Souls' Day during the Middle Ages, when poor people in Great Britain would beg for soul cakes, described as a sweet-bread treat, and promise to pray for the donor's dead relatives in return. American children began trick-or-treating in the 1800s, but the focus was more on pranks than candy. By the 1950s, the focus had switched to costumes and family fun.

Why do we carve pumpkins?

The tradition of carving pumpkins began in Ireland, where turnips were hollowed out, carved into a representation of a human face and illuminated with a candle. Children commonly carried these "turnip lanterns" door to door to represent the dead when begging for soul cakes. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, where carvers found that the large orange fruit made for a perfect jack-o'-lantern.

Why do we wear Halloween costumes?

Hundreds of years ago, people believed that ghosts could come back to the earthly world on Halloween. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts when they left their homes at night, they would wear scary masks that they believed would make the ghosts mistake them for fellow spirits. The tradition has evolved over the years and now many costumes are more fun and less frightening.

Does your facility have any special Halloween traditions? We'd love for you to share them with us – and your colleagues in long-term care – on our Facebook page!