Are you ready for costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating?
Seven in 10 Americans celebrate Halloween, with each person spending approximately $72.31 on candy and costumes annually.
But where did the origins of this holiday begin?
Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, can be traced back about 2,000 years to the pre-Christian Celtic festival held around Nov. 1 know as Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”), which means “summer’s end” in Gaelic, according to the Indo-European Etymological Dictionaries. It was a day to celebrate the departed, saints and martyrs. Some folklorists argue that this date was associated with some heightened supernatural powers, as a time of fairies and witches.
Thankfully a lot has changed over the centuries!
In the 20th Century, life expectancy is around age 80 as opposed to age 30 in the 16th Century. This massive increase is due to modern advances in medicine, hygiene and nutrition. So, this year, make sure to have a healthy and safe Halloween with the following tips.
Halloween Health and Safety Tips
- Have a healthy meal before you head out for the night, so you’re not tempted to eat too many treats.
- If you’ll be walking/biking, don’t forget to wear reflective clothing to be easily spotted by passing cars.
- Bring flashlights and/or glowsticks to light up the night.
- If you’ll be using candles, make sure to blow them out before you leave the house.
- Don’t forget stranger danger! Have a talk with your kids about staying safe in public spaces.
- Wear comfy shoes to prevent blisters and injuries.
- If you’ll be attending a grown-up party – make sure to not drink and drive (always have a DD or take an Uber!), make healthy choices, and stay hydrated.
Sources:
http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/halloween.html
https://www.livescience.com/40596-history-of-halloween.html