Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
18.01.2024 - 21:37 / backyardgardener.com
What would Halloween be without pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns and decorations? Although this is the plant most often associated with Halloween today, it may surprise you to know that in the past, other fruits and vegetables had strong connections to this holiday.
In England and Ireland, Halloween lanterns were originally carved out of turnips and large beets. Faces of demons were cut into the vegetables, and then a glowing coal was placed inside. People carried these lanterns around the village or left them burning on doorsteps to frighten away evil spirits.
When the Irish immigrants arrived in America, they found pumpkins abundant and much easier to carve than turnips. And thus, the tradition of turning pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns began.
The custom of decorating apples, pumpkins, cornstalks, and autumn leaves originates in an ancient Druid autumn festival called Samhain (pronounced SAH-win). The festival celebrated the end of summer and a successful harvest.
Today, apples are also used in a popular Halloween party game, bobbing for apples, and are often given out to treat-or-treaters. But the apple was more than just an edible treat during the Victorian era. It played a significant role in determining a young girl’s future. By slipping an apple under her pillow on Halloween Eve, she was sure to dream of her sweetheart.
Apples also were used to foretell the identity of the man she was to marry. At midnight on Halloween, a girl would stand in front of a mirror and brush her hair three times while eating an apple. The image of her future husband would appear in the mirror over her shoulder.
Once she saw his face, she peeled an apple in a single strip. She tossed the peel over her left shoulder using her right hand. The peel
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
EDWIN FOTHERINGHAM
Halloween is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to get crafty with some ghoulishly delightful DIY projects. This year, TikTok has been buzzing with creative ideas, from eco-friendly hanging ghosts to illuminating mini pumpkin string lights. Here are a few of our favorites that you can try yourself.
fortyforks / Getty Images
If you're a lover of Halloween and all things scary, you may be prepping your home to celebrate the holiday. While searching for Halloween decorations, don't overlook one of the best decorations to have in your home for the holiday and year-round: plants.
Costumes, and candy, and sugar! Oh my! That’s what comes to my mind when I think about Halloween. Children enjoy dressing up as their favorite characters, going door to door in the neighborhood, and filling a bag or bucket with candy. But with all that candy comes a lot of sugar. Children in the US consume up to 17% of sugar in their diet daily. Sugar is often hidden in packaged foods and drinks and is highly processed. It is often labeled with different names like high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, honey detoxes raw sugar, and other names. Candy is a known culprit for its high sugar content. Too much sugar, especially in young children, can lead to issues with obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, and other health problems down the road.
When it comes to Halloween, it may be challenging to know what Halloween decor to buy since there are so many options and styles. Whether it's leaning into the scary side full of tricks or the fun, kitschy side filled with bright orange finds.
Are you looking for some family-friendly funny Halloween jokes for kids? Then you’ve come to the right place!
What comes to your mind when you think of traditional Halloween treats? For some, it is caramel apples; for others, it’s candy corn. Maybe there is another treat that is special to your family. There are many different treats and traditions around the world associated with Autumn and Halloween.
The best part of fall is all the holiday decorating opportunities it brings, starting with Halloween. One of the easiest ways to bring some Halloween decor into your home is with garlands.
Starbucks
It's hard to deny the impact of "Barbie." Crowds came out donned in all pink, glitter, as well as outfits that showed off the array of Barbie's costumes over the year. While the Barbie hype has yet to slow down, it's time to think how to show off your spirit this fall. When it comes to Halloween decor, can pink and typical Halloween pieces go hand-in-hand? They definitely can. Check out our list of 15 pink Halloween items below.