Do you know about the traditions of Halloween? Why do we like to dress scary and go knock on strangers doors for candy?  Why do we use ouija boards or why do some believe in vampires and monsters?

The traditions of Halloween come from Celtic paganism in the British Isles. They believed it was the time when ghosts and spirits rose to haunt, and the Celts would calm the spirits by giving them treats.

People started dressing scary so they could scare away the demonic spirits, but since the 20’s costumes have changed.  A costume manufacturing company decided your Halloween costume should be whatever you want it to be, not just scary.  Thanks to Collegeville Flag and Manufacturing Company you can dress up as your favorite character, or something crazy like your favorite food!

Trick or Treating hasn’t always been a go knock on a door and get some candy thing. When the custom of trick-or-treating started in the 1930s and early 1940s, children were given everything from homemade cookies and pieces of cake to fruits, nuts, coins and toys.  Trick or Treating started when lonely children and poor adults would knock on stranger’s doors begging for food, and money, in return for prayers. The word “Trick or Treat” comes from “trick” where the children will do deviant things to the homeowners or their house if they do not receive a “treat”.

People use Ouija boards around halloween because it “is a portal to the underworld”.  It is a way to speak to spirits and is known to be evil.  To play the game you have to play it right.  

1. Play with 2 or more people
2. Pick a designated talker
3. Put your fingers on the thing in the center
4. NEVER REMOVE YOUR FINGERS UNTIL SAYING GOOD-BYE
5. Ask your questions
6. When you are done ask to say good-bye
7. Close the board

Happy Halloween!