Halloween and All Things Spooky Coming Soon

Every year after the kids go back to school, we start to prepare for scary things to come. That’s right – it’s Halloween!  One of the most highly anticipated holidays during the fall season and, if you noticed, stores were already setting up their spooky displays and decorations in early September. Truthfully if you look one aisle over, they are already setting up Christmas stock (but we didn’t mention this)!  We haven't gone that far yet, but planning for Halloween is something we all look forward to.  From decorations to costumes and, of course, candy, we can't get enough of orange and black, pumpkins and all things scary!   

What many people do not know is that Halloween is thought to be a Christian feast that was brought about by western European harvest festivals and festivals of the dead with pagan (mainly Celtic) roots.  Some scholars argue that it has solely Christian roots but, at any rate, today’s Halloween festivities are fun for the whole family. 

Some interesting facts about Halloween are that the turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween, but immigrants to North America used pumpkins, which were native to the lands and because they were softer and larger, they were also easier to carve than a turnip.  Through commercialization, the pumpkin became one of the official symbols of Halloween. 

Trick or treating, or guising as it’s known in Scotland and Ireland, is primarily the same as it is here – children go door to door in costumes for food or coins.  By giving “treats” to the children homeowners guarantee that no mischief would come to them or their property.  We continue the tradition of trick or treating in a much less demanding way.  Children plan for weeks before Halloween what their costume will be and some schools even allow a Halloween parade where students can wear their costumes and parents can attend.  Many families go all out on Halloween and invite friends and family members to come in full costume for a Halloween party.  Some folks even decorate their homes as haunted houses with scary decorations, strobe lights and sound effects.

No matter how you celebrate Halloween, it’s definitely a fun time of year for people of all ages, whether you are home giving out candy or visiting your neighbors and looking for treats.  If you have special “trick or treaters” that come to your door, it’s always nice to have a little something available that is not your standard wrapped candy.  Making sure you are prepared with some fun and unique candy treats will be sure to please the special ghosts and ghouls who come knocking.  Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe offers a wide range of homemade chocolates, wrapped goodies, chocolate lollipops and candies for all of your Halloween needs.   And if you are having a Halloween party, be sure to ask about party platters made to order.  Stop by the store or visit our website today for more ideas to make the most fun night of the year a success!