Have a look at our fantastic American Halloween traditions which you will love reading about. Some of them still exist today and are celebrated every year on October 31st.
Halloween was brought to America by the Scottish and Irish immigrants in early 20th century. Americans began to dress up and knock on doors for money or food, today this is called “trick or treating”.
In the late 1800’s, Halloween became a holiday where you would play pranks on each other and celebrate with parties which had scary food, games and creepy costumes.
Carving pumpkins started around 1837 in America for Halloween. However before this they were originally associated with harvest time.
Superstitions and beliefs:
- You will dream of your future husband if you put an apple under your pillow on Halloween night.
- You must ring a bell on Halloween night to drive away evil spirit from your home.
- People wore costumes to trick evil spirits.
- If you are born on Halloween you are protected from evil spirits and even have supernatural powers.
- Young women believed that on Halloween night, if they brushed their hair whilst looking in the mirror they could see their future husband over their shoulder.
- People believed it was unlucky for a black cat to enter their homes, travel on their ships or to even cross their paths.
Maureen
halloween expert