HALLOWEEN IN CANADA

OCTOBER 31ST

This festival has it's roots way back in the mists of time - some say that it dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was a celebration of the end of the harvest season.

The Celts believed that October 31st was the day when the boundary between the living and the dead disappeared, and the dead became a danger to the living, sometimes known as the Eve of All Hallows.

Phew, heavy stuff!

Today, the Eve of all Hallows, is a time for children (and some adults) to stock up on candy, carve scary Pumpkins, dress up and have fun!

In the weeks leading up to October 31st, many people here decorate their homes with Pumpkins, pumpkin lights and scary hangings on walls and doors.

This house is decorated with Pumpkins and Scarecrows!

When I first arrived from England I did not know why everybody was dressing up and taking their children out to "Trick or Treat".

Just before dusk, on October 31st, hoards of Witches and Goblins take to the streets, many of them will go door-to-door in their neighbourhood, and most of them will be taken by their parents.

Here, when people turn on their front porch lights, that indicates that they have candy for the children who will be coming, and folks usually make a fuss of the children in their costumes.

Witches and Princesses, Ogres and Vampires, Clowns and Angels - the variety and ingenuity of the costumes always amazes me!

Many Elementary Schools in Canada have Parties for children in the days before Halloween.

Parents make sure that the kids are dressed in their costumes before they leave for school, and often parents send Halloween cookies and Candy for the children to share with their class-mates.

Here is a link to a Halloween Scooby-Doo game that you, or your children, might enjoy!

Hey You! Yes, YOU!
Do you want to carve Pumpkins that will scare the neighbour's kids? Check out the links below and prepare to terrify the little darlings!

Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns for Halloween!
Boo! It's your lucky day! Here are three free simple pumpkin carving patterns to download

More Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns!
Here are dozens of Pumpkin carving patterns from the Pumpkin Lady website - some of these are not for beginners and should only be attempted by children who are supervised by an adult

Hallow'een Baking? Here's some for you!
Just because it's not traditionally a "baking holiday", it doesn't mean you can't make baked treats for people at Halloween - these sweet and delicious cookies will scare the neighbours!

Ghosts-and-Stories.com - click here, if you dare!
Get comfortable, turn down the lights and prepare to be frightened - this deliciously dark website has stories that scare, tales that terrify and even videos of hauntings - really! Check it out!

Black Cat Clip art courtesy of DailyClipArt.net