The ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain is believed to be the source of Halloween’s roots (pronounced sow-in); we can say the same for Halloween traditions for families. On November 1, the Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, marked the beginning of their new year, mostly in what is now Ireland, England, and northern France. Celtic symbols and mysticism persist up to today.
End of summer and harvest, beginning of winter’s cold, gloomy days – a time of year connected with mortality in the past. On the eve of the new year, the Celts thought that the line between the worlds of the living and the dead became increasingly hazy. Then, on the evening of October 31, they observed Samhain, a time when the dead were said to return to the soil.
Celts believed that the presence of ghouls and spirits made it easier for the Celtic priests, more commonly known as the Druids, to make different forecasts about the future, in addition to causing havoc and harming crops. Prophecies about the natural world were an essential source of consolation for individuals who relied solely on nature for survival.
Druids erected enormous bonfires to honor the Celtic gods, and the people came to burn crops and livestock as offerings.
The sacred blaze served as a source of re-ignition for the hearth fires destroyed earlier that evening in preparation for the impending winter. The Roman Empire had captured mainly Celtic territory by 43 A.D.
Two Roman holidays were merged with the Celtic feast of Samhain during the 400 years that the Romans dominated the Celts.
The first was Feralia; a Roman holiday celebrated at the end of October to honor the departed. Roman deity Pomona was honored on the second day. In the Samhain ceremony, apples symbolize Pomona, and the ritual of bobbing for apples may have been derived from this.
Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome on May 13, 609 A.D. All Martyrs Day was also established to commemorate all Christian victims. Later, Pope Gregory III broadened the celebration to include all saints and martyrs, and he shifted the date of the holiday to November 1 from May 13.
Christians first arrived in Celtic regions in the 9th century when they progressively assimilated and eventually replaced ancient Celtic customs. All Souls’ Day was established by the church in 1000 AD as a day to remember the deceased. According to popular belief, the church was trying to supplant the Celtic celebration of the dead with a church-sanctioned version of the event.
Samhain-style bonfires, parades, and fancy dress were all part of the festivities of All Saints’ Day. Alholowmas and Samhain’s night before it became known as All-Hallows Eve and, later, Halloween.
Xinar’s List of Halloween Traditions for Families
Are you ready for great Halloween traditions for families? We’ve created an excellent list for you and the entire family!
Create Halloween Charm Bracelets and Other Halloween-Inspired Crafts
Halloween-inspired jewelry like necklaces and charm bracelets are fantastic as a part of your Halloween traditions for families. Fortunately, anyone can start crafting DIY jewelry with the help of Xinar’s extensive collections of sterling silver charms and our silver beads and findings. Also, check out Xinar’s collection of Halloween charms first!
Read Bedtime Stories Inspired by Halloween
For a frightful story to read before going to sleep, head to the library and pick up some Halloween novels! Every night, you may read a new novel!
Cook Up a Spooky Goodie for Halloween
Baking isn’t generally linked with the Halloween season doesn’t mean you can’t produce a deliciously creepy treat! So this Halloween, start a new family tradition by baking a tasty treat together.
Make Your Own Halloween Costumes
Make your own Halloween costumes as a family project if you have the time. If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to spend time with your loved ones, this is it! However, if you want to make your costumes, you’ll need to put in more effort than simply purchasing them.
Celebrate with an Awesome Meal
If you want to remember those who have passed away, have a Day of the Dead party. Organize a cookout to remember your deceased family members and friends. Then, put their pictures on your mantle.
Trick-Or-Treating Time!
Nothing beats trick-or-treating with the whole family in costume! When your children are small, you may assist them at the beginning with this custom by accompanying them as they visit neighbors’ houses in search of candy.
Pumpkins Can Be Carved or Decorated
Consider decorating or carving pumpkins. What’s Halloween without a pumpkin? Using the appropriate tools, ensuring your pumpkin is fresh, and illuminating it properly are all crucial aspects of pumpkin carving. A serrated knife is ideal for piercing the pumpkin’s flesh. To ensure that the pumpkin sits level, it’s best to slice a hole in the bottom of it. Then, place the pumpkin above a light source instead of lowering candlelight inside the pumpkin.
Remove the pumpkin seeds by scooping them out with a big metal spoon or an ice cream scoop. You may also use a battery-operated spinner to scrape the pumpkin’s walls.
You may create intricate motifs on the pumpkin surface using little paring knives. There are also pumpkin-carving kits for adults and children, which are a terrific source of inspiration. Pumpkin-carving knives powered by batteries are another option for quickly completing even the most complex patterns.
Before cutting, lay out a few old newspapers on a table or counter to keep everything neat and orderly. Draw or trace your drawings with ease with dry erase markers (and easy to wipe clean if you need to start over)
Tips for Carving Pumpkins
Whether you buy a pumpkin from the shop or go to one of the numerous places where you can pick your own, you’ll need a canvas, large or tiny, round or not, to make a grumpy ghoul. A flat-bottomed, fresh pumpkin will keep your jack-o’-lantern upright and sturdy no matter what design you choose for your pumpkin. Next, scrape out the pumpkin’s inside wholly. By keeping the sidewalls free of decay, the light will be able to pass through more evenly. You can roast the seeds later!
Draw or carve a picture
Dry erase markers should indicate all lines before the first cut is made, whether drafting freehand or using a template. Then, use different sized knives to cut along the lines: big knives to remove huge parts and trimmer blades for delicate detail work. Enjoy this new addition to your Halloween traditions for families!
Adding Light
The alternatives for presenting your pumpkin artwork without using candles are practically limitless. Use LEDs, battery-operated tea lights, and strobes that change colors to decorate your pumpkins, whether they’re fashioned from fresh or foam pumpkins! Battery-operated tap lights are an excellent choice if you have a tiny pumpkin or gourd.
A string of Christmas lights or a modest lamp can be utilized if the pumpkin is to be exhibited near an outlet.
The old standby candles are the final option. This is the most acceptable way to light a candle. Make sure the plate behind the flame is large enough to catch any drips that may occur. Cutting a small chimney-like hole in the top of the pumpkin will let the heat dissipate, making it easier to light with a candle. Foam pumpkins should never have a lighted candle inside of them; only fresh pumpkins should be utilized for this purpose.
Tips for Preserving Pumpkins Carved by Hand
Pumpkin rot is caused by mold and dehydration, the two most common causes. Prevent both by applying petroleum jelly to the pumpkin’s carved parts, and the pumpkin’s inside. As a result, the pumpkin will not dry up, and mold will not develop.
Another alternative is a spray bottle filled with water and a tiny bit of bleach. To protect the pumpkin from drying out too rapidly, spray it with a combination of bleach and water every day. Finally, use a store-bought pumpkin preservation spray to keep the pumpkin fresh. Make sure it’s safe for the environment and free of harmful chemicals. To keep your pumpkin fresh for as long as possible, it is advisable to chop it no sooner than two or three days before your Halloween celebrations begin.
Go to a Pumpkin Patch in Your Area
Even if you don’t bring home a pumpkin, visiting your local pumpkin patch might still be worthwhile! Hayrides and other family-friendly activities are available at many of these establishments. Definitely a worthy addition to your Halloween traditions for families.
Despite its relatively commonplace appearance, a pumpkin patch offers much more than just a place to have fun for kids. A youngster may have fun, learn, and explore various ways without boredom. Children may learn about the natural environment and explore a new world on farms. For children who can explore family-owned farms, their imaginations run wild.
A trip to a pumpkin patch provides a wealth of educational and fun experiences for children of all ages. For example, allowing kids to walk free and select their pumpkin instills a feeling of self-reliance and pride in them. On top of celebrating Halloween,
kids can start learning about vine-based vegetables like pumpkins and gourds is also a great educational opportunity. Inquisitive youngsters will be eager to learn about farm animals and even the equipment around the pumpkin patch.
Set Up a Halloween Movie Marathon
It’s okay if you don’t want to watch scary movies with your kids; there are plenty of fun ones!
Spook The Neighbors!
During the Halloween season, make this a part of your list of Halloween traditions for families. A wonderful Halloween ritual is to collect sweets and spook your neighbors.
