Halloween, this holiday which transforms our streets into a horror film setting, hides many mysteries. Do you really know where it comes from and what traditions are attached to it?
Halloween is the unmissable holiday in October. Young and old put on their costumes, have fun scaring each other and go hunting for treats. But do you know where this celebration of pagan origins, today anchored in our traditions, comes from? Between Celtic legends and ancient rituals, its history is as fascinating as it is mysterious. Discover its origins and our ideas to entertain the children before the big night of October 31!
What is the real story of Halloween?
In the opinion of historians, Halloween is a pagan folk festival inherited from the religious festival of Samhain, which is the Celtic New Year. It dates back 2,500 years. Originally, the Gaelic term, Samhain, to which the meaning “end of summer” is sometimes attributed, announces the twilight of the light season and the entry into the dark season, in other words the advent of the Dark Time. Winter is coming… During this night, the line of demarcation between the world of the living and the afterlife would tend to blur, so much so that ghosts and living could meet, the space of a few hours. A foray into the past for the deceased and a passage to the other side of the mirror for beings of flesh and blood.
In France, the Halloween festival owes its celebration to a brand initiative. At the end of the 1990s, driven by the wave of American series, France Telecom launched an Orange mobile phone, named Olaween. Giants such as Coca-Cola or Disneyland are also responsible for promoting this particularly fun party for children. Little by little, the party is becoming popular, and more and more families, schools, not to mention amusement parks, are getting involved.
What does the term Halloween mean?
The meaning of the term Halloween is found in the English language. Halloween is the contraction of the English expression “All Hallows Eve” which translates into French as “The Eve of All Saints”.
What are the Halloween traditions?
Trick or treat or “trick or treat” is the children’s rallying cry. To buy their peace and escape a bad trick, adults must submit to a candy distribution. To impress them, it is customary for children to dress up as scary characters. Empty pumpkins and cut them to give them a monstrous appearance of Jack O’Lantern is also one of the great Halloween classics. This would ward off evil spirits. For diehards, house decoration and pumpkin soup tasting are a must.
What films to watch as a family on Halloween?
In addition to collecting treats, young and old alike enjoy scaring themselves while watching a Halloween movie. Here are some must-see films and some lesser-known ones that are worth watching with the family:
- The Addams Family
- A little guide for the watch hunter
- The Evil Spirit of Halloween
- Goosebumps
- Hocus Pocus
- Little Vampire
- Gremlins (from 11 years old)
- The Haunted Mansion
- The Prophecy of the Clock
- Hotel Transylvania
- The Funeral Wedding
- Spirited Away
- Monster House
- Coco
Our Halloween craft activities to do with children
Halloween is a holiday that is also prepared with children, from a very young age. On Hugo the Snail, find a bunch ofDIY ideas for Halloween decorlearn how to make your costume or make-up, print invitation cards to invite all your classmates or make a candy basket! All the creative activities around Halloween can be found here:
What costume to wear on Halloween?
On October 31, we dress in our worst halloween costume ! A very scary clown, a witch, pumpkin, ghost or zombie costume are generally the most popular costumes for both children and adults. To buy or make, Halloween costumes allow you to play the game and put yourself in the shoes of your character. We put on our costume, and then rush to scare the neighbors, asking them for trick or treat!
Halloween makeup is the final touch of the costume! Have you chosen a zombie, skeleton, witch or ghost costume? Learn step by step how to create the makeup that goes with it. Halloween makeup is becoming more and more trendy on social media, so why not try some very spooky makeup this year?
What decoration for Halloween?
We also adopt a spooky house decor with spider webs and pumpkins on the walls and furniture, tealight holders and ghosts as well as garlands of bats! Our ideas of Halloween decoration to inspire you:
Original Halloween cake ideas and recipes
It’s not just candy that can be enjoyed on Halloween. You can also rely on original recipes to impress your guests. Mini Halloween pizzas, crunchy witch’s fingers, gnocchi in the shape of a witch’s broom, bagel in the shape of monsters, spider or pumpkin cakes… This year, rely on trompe l’oeil for surprising Halloween recipes!
