Hello Halloween! History and traditions of the most terrible holiday of the year. The most interesting facts about Halloween skeleton in the cupboard - a terrible secret

Interesting facts about the Pumpkin - one of the symbols of Halloween

The closest relatives of pumpkins are zucchini, cucumbers, gherkins and watermelons.
Pumpkin is 90% water.
Pumpkins are low in calories and rich in fiber. They are a good source of vitamins A and B, potassium, protein and iron.
The nutritional value of pumpkin seeds increases with age.
Pumpkin began to be grown in North America 5 thousand years ago.
The Indians roasted pumpkin slices over a fire, and dried pumpkin strips were used to make rugs.
Early American settlers carved the top of a pumpkin, removed the seeds, stuffed the inside with milk, spices, and honey, then baked it in hot ash.
In 1584, French explorer Jacques Cartier reported finding "huge melons". In English, it sounded "pompions", which later turned into "pumpkins".
Pumpkin flowers are edible.
In the past, pumpkin was thought to be a good remedy for freckles and snake bites.
The largest pumpkin in the world weighed 480 kg. She was raised by Paula and Nathan Zer in Lowville, New York in 1996.
The largest pumpkin pie weighed 160 kg and had a diameter of 152 cm.

History of Halloween

Halloween, the second name is All Saints Day, is celebrated on the night of October 31st. For Russia, this is a young holiday, but already loved by many for its pampering and humor. Despite the scarce information base about this holiday, it attracts primarily with its external attributes - these are mysterious costumes, not very good pumpkin heads, fortune-telling, the general atmosphere of mysticism and mystery. Therefore, its future is very promising. Every year in major cities of Russia, Halloween gathers an increasing number of fans, but most of the participants have no idea what this holiday is dedicated to, what is the history of its origin and development.

Halloween came to Europe, having already gained wide popularity in North America. In the United States and Canada, this holiday is second only to Christmas in terms of popularity and scale of celebration. In one of the largest cities, New York, on All Saints Day, a parade is held, which is broadcast on all major television channels throughout the country.

However, Halloween has its roots not in America, but in the Celtic peoples. The Christian Day of All Saints first appeared in the 9th century. in England based on the pagan fire festival of Samhain. This major Celtic holiday symbolized the end of the harvest, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. At that time, this holiday was celebrated in early November. According to custom, the Celts extinguished all domestic hearths in the evening, and in the early morning they lit them again, but not in the usual way, but from the sacred fire.

The fire that was kindled by the Druids, the Celtic priests, was considered sacred. Sacred bonfires were usually lit on hilltops in oak groves. Then the druids made sacrifices to the evil spirits to appease them. All this happened at night, and in the morning they gave people coals from sacred fires. Sacrifices were made to the resurrected fire, usually plants and animals acted in their role.

The Celts firmly believed that on the night of Samhain, when the old year is replaced by a new one, the boundaries between the worlds are erased, so all barriers between the material and the supernatural disappear. On this night, Samhain opens the gates between the past and the present, between all living and dead, between the world of people and the world of spirits. Moreover, the spirits here act as magical creatures, tuned towards people either negatively or indifferently. According to the beliefs of the Celts, only once a year people could easily enter the world of spirits. And vice versa - any evil spirits or dissatisfied spirits could be among living people. To protect against them, the Celts dressed in their likeness and went from house to house, asking for food for evil spirits in order to appease her. In order to scare away evil spirits, costumes were made as scary as possible.

The main attribute of Halloween is the pumpkin, which is called "Jack Lantern" abroad. According to legend, the custom of making pumpkin lanterns was introduced by an Irish blacksmith, nicknamed Stingy Jack. Once, on the eve of All Saints' Day, the Devil himself wanted to get his soul and for this he offered the blacksmith to buy a mug of his favorite wine. The blacksmith agreed to a deal with the Devil and received in return 20 years of a quiet life for himself. However, Jack did not lead his earthly life as a righteous man, so after his death he was doomed to roam the earth, lighting his way with a piece of coal. This coal was unusual, as Jack received it from the Devil during the deal. This coal helped Jack keep the fire going inside the gourd lantern.

In addition, it is believed that the Jack-o-lantern has not yet found peace for his sinful soul and continues to roam the earth in anticipation of the Last Judgment. To protect the house from the not-quite-kind spirit of the Jack-o-lantern, on October 31, a semblance of a head is made from a pumpkin, which must be placed on each window. If Jack, approaching the house, sees himself, he will be frightened and run away.

In the 1st century n. e. militant Romans seized the Celtic lands, but did not oppose their traditions and holidays. In addition, Halloween turned out to be very similar to their own holiday, Pomona, the goddess of plants. In some provinces, the Romans and the Celts lived together, so it is quite logical that the holidays and their customs began to gradually “dissolve” into each other.

With the adoption of Christianity on the islands of Britain and Ireland, their inhabitants had to abandon the Celtic pagan customs. However, the memory of Samhain lived on in the following centuries, and the inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland passed on legends about him from generation to generation.

In the 9th century, after the establishment of Christianity, ancient traditions were mixed with the Christian holiday - All Saints' Day. All Saints' Day is a later name for the holiday. (The coincidence of the dates of the celebration of the Celtic Halloween and the Christian All Saints Day led to the fact that they were identified in the public consciousness.) At the same time, ideas about spirits penetrating the world of people acquired a negative connotation. Otherworldly forces became evil and were supposed to frighten good people. Therefore, in the Middle Ages and the period of the New Age, Halloween was chosen by witches, devils and other evil spirits, who organized their covens on this day.

With the gradual transformation of Samhain into All Saints' Day, ancient traditions acquired a new color and semantic background. So, for example, the game "Treat or be sorry" appeared. It consists in "buying off" all sorts of goodies from children who call demandingly or knock on the door. Otherwise, the owners will have to clean the door handles smeared with soot for a long time. There was also a custom to cut scary faces on potatoes or turnips, and put candles inside - it turned out to be a kind of lantern.

The discovery of a new huge continent, America, by Christopher Columbus, had a great influence on the spread of Halloween traditions. Moving to a new land, the inhabitants carried with them both traditions and holidays. It is believed that in the form in which the holiday is celebrated now, it began to be celebrated only in the 19th century. thanks to European immigrants who brought with them to the United States the custom of making noise on Halloween and observing the superstitions associated with this holiday. However, in America, the holiday has again undergone minor changes - for example, it turned out that pumpkins for making lanterns are much more convenient than traditional turnips. The first major cities in America, where in the 20s. 20th century Halloween has passed, New York and Los Angeles have become.

At the beginning of the XX century. in the United States, a tendency began to spread on Halloween acts of vandalism - to break windows, set fire to trees and garbage, etc. The popularity of this hooliganism was so high that in the 20s. The American Boy Scouts decided to promote non-vandalism on this day, but they did not abandon the holiday itself. Their slogan was the words: "Long live a healthy Halloween!".

To this end, hooliganism and petty extortion were replaced by a masquerade and the distribution of sweets. In the 50s. In the same century, Halloween also becomes a profitable commercial holiday for costume makers. Costumes, candles, decorations, greeting cards, pumpkins and other holiday attributes are very popular. And despite the fact that the holiday is still not official. But despite this, Halloween is the favorite holiday of American schoolchildren.

On this day (October 31), they, dressed up in costumes of evil spirits, hold mass events in schools on the theme of this holiday, run around schools and houses shouting: “Dress or treat!”, Demand sweets for themselves. In addition, on Halloween, people of all ages arrange funny pranks, tell fortunes, and also pay great attention to the preparation of pumpkin lanterns. On Halloween night, the pumpkin head is an essential symbol of the holiday. Pumpkin means at the same time the end of the harvest, and the evil spirit, and the sacred fire that scares him away.

Today, Halloween followers believe that a pumpkin with a scary face and a candle inside is a symbol of both an evil spirit and a holy fire that scares it away. But not everywhere devilish candlesticks are made from pumpkin. For example, in England, candles are placed on beets, and in Scotland and Ireland - on turnips, potatoes or zucchini. The modern day of All Saints is more like a hoax. He is very much loved not only in America, but also in many European countries.

Today, from the ancient pagan holiday of the Celts, only a set of funny and fascinating traditions remains. Halloween intrigues with its mystery and mythological mystery. This holiday is, first of all, an attempt to understand the relationship between our and the invisible worlds. All Saints Day is a transition, a gate from one world to another, and this gate is paradoxical.

Quiz "Halloween"

1. Who invented Halloween?
a) Celts
b) Americans
c) the Japanese

2. When is this holiday celebrated?
a) October 31
b) on the night of October 31 to November 1
c) November 1

3. What is another name for this holiday?
a) Floating Apple Festival
b) Samhain
c) November holidays

4. What do you agree with? Halloween is a holiday
a) gates of winter
b) the end of the harvest
c) evil spirits

5. What is the symbol of Halloween?
a) pumpkin
b) wreaths
c) black cat

6. Which of the following colors is not the symbolic color of Halloween?
a) blue
b) orange
c) black

7. What Russian tradition is akin to Halloween?
a) mummers
b) carol songs
c) snowman

8. What phrase is said at the feast?
a) trick or treat
b) life or death
c) a joke or a treat

9. Choose the extra - something that does not correlate with the holiday:
a) spirits and the dead
b) evil spirit
c) brownies and goblin

10. Halloween is accepted:
a) scare everyone
b) make fun of everyone
c) make peace with everyone

11. What did people do so that the souls of the dead could not take possession of the living?
a) food was left in front of the door
b) made pumpkin lanterns and lit bonfires
c) drew a cross on the doors and windows

12. What does a pumpkin symbolize with a lit candle inside?
a) the head of Jack O'Lantern
b) wandering souls
c) ward off evil spirits

13. Creative task:
You've been invited to a Halloween party. A country house, a costumed action, a cheerful company of individuals who are familiar with the traditions of the holiday above the level of “pumpkin-ghost-black cat”, and who understand what's what. What costume will you put on in order to impress the audience? Or, more simply, who will you be at the Halloween party? Describe, pliz)))

One of the most frightening, mysterious and moving hair on your head holidays is approaching - Halloween. Stay on topic, read on.

1. Where did you come from

Halloween has its roots in the ancient Scottish and Irish Celts. It was on October 31 that they celebrated Samhain, a celebration of the end of the harvest, death and the beginning of a new year.

The pagans believed that on this night the boundaries between our world and the world of spirits are practically erased. Therefore, people dressed and continue to dress in costumes and masks so that the evil spirits do not recognize them.

Halloween is more of an Irish holiday than St. Patrick's Day.

The origin of the name also deserves attention. November 1st was Hallowmas (or All Hallows), All Saints' Day.

Accordingly, the eve of the holiday was All Hallows’ Eve or Even, as an abbreviation for the English “evening”, “evening”. Over time, this has transformed into a well-known halloween.

2. Turnip turned into a pumpkin

One of the main attributes of Halloween is a pumpkin. This is a tribute to the tradition of celebrating the end of the harvest.

But really now we have to use turnip.

One of the legends says that a certain blacksmith Jack tricked the devil into promising never to take his soul. After death, the sinner could not go to heaven, he also had no way to hell.

The devil gave Jack an ember, which he put into an empty turnip. Such a flashlight, known as the Jack-O-Lantern, helped him light his way.

The turnip was replaced with a pumpkin due to the availability and cheapness of the latter.

3. Symbols of the holiday

In addition to pumpkins, black cats, spiders, bats and owls are iconic for Halloween. Cats, for example, are believed to have a special connection to the underworld, so don't forget to appease your kitties.

And, of course, where without witch attributes? Pointed black wide-brimmed hats, broomsticks, full moon.

4. About the full moon

Have you noticed that almost all pictures for the holiday depict a perfectly round moon? If not, then pay attention. In fact, it is on this day that you rarely see a smooth lunar ball.

Over the past hundred years, this has been observed in 1955, then in 2001. The next full moon on Halloween will be in 2020. It's not long to wait.

It seems to me that the full moon gives gloom and surroundings to the holiday. No more.

5. The Coolest Tradition We Don't Have

Everyone has seen American films where on Halloween children without parents go from house to house hunting for sweets. They ask the question: “Trick or treat?”, which literally translates as “Joke or treat?”, but most often I heard “Trick or Treat?”. It is not clear where this interpretation came from.

In any case, this is a very cool part of the holiday! It's a pity that only children under 12 participate in begging. Teenagers older than that will face a fine of 100 to 1000 dollars.

There were also horror stories: teenagers were treated to sweets with arsenic, a father poisoned his son with cyanide candy to get insurance, and some others.

6. Samhainphobia

It's all fun, of course, but there are those who are scared as hell of Halloween. The fear of this holiday is called Samhainphobia.

I'm not one of the timid ones, but I'm afraid of all sorts of scary jokes. Agree, it’s not immediately possible to understand that in the pan there are not real eyes, but plastic ones.

7. Halloween has changed

This holiday was not always so terrifying. At the beginning of the 20th century, Halloween put more emphasis on romance and the search for love, a kind of Valentine's Day in October.

For example, the predictive game Snap Apple was a very common game. Participants had to take a bite out of an apple hanging from a string. The winner will get married the fastest.

Feel free to declare your love on Halloween, not Valentine's Day.

8. Superstition

And today you can meet a witch. All you need to do is put your clothes inside out or back to front and go with your back.

Let's not be skeptical. If you haven't seen witches yet, it doesn't mean they don't exist.

9. Divination

We tell fortunes on the night before Christmas, and in many countries on Halloween.

For example, a girl should hang a wet sheet in front of a fire to see her future husband. Or cut off the peel from an apple and throw it over your shoulder to see the first letter of the betrothed.

Or here: you have to go down the stairs, looking in the mirror, whoever appears there will be the husband.

10. Sacrifices

A few years ago, catteries for homeless animals did not allow black cats and cats to be taken from them throughout October. They were afraid that in the name of the holiday, bad people might harm these animals.

Today there are no such restrictions. On the contrary, there are often promotions like “take a black cat”.

11. Feast of Stress

Many studies prove that Halloween affects the psyche of children and adolescents. No wonder, because a child can be so frightened that he will have phobias for the rest of his life.

Since the beginning of November, it has become more difficult to make an appointment with a psychotherapist in many countries.

12. It's business, baby!

People have learned to make money on everything.

Naturally, special costumes are bought for Halloween, every year they are different and more and more unusual. In addition, candy, chocolate, cookies.

I am already silent about decorating the house and lawns for the holiday. According to unofficial estimates, all this takes about 7 billion dollars.

In terms of spending, Halloween is second only to Christmas.

13. How people celebrate in different countries

The most famous carnivals are held in the USA. In Europe, on Halloween, it is worth visiting Disneyland Paris, the city of Limoges and Frankenstein Castle in Darmstadt. It's the hottest there.

On the night of November 1, the whole world will celebrate Halloween, which today is often perceived as a frivolous, playful holiday, as an occasion for informal parties and fun carnivals. In fact, Halloween has a rich history and vast geography. We talk about the mystical past of the holiday and its modern amusing features.

Home of Halloween

The homeland of Halloween can be considered the territory of modern, Ireland and Northern. It was there that the tribes of the Celts lived, who even in the pre-Christian era on October 31 marked the end of the harvest and the arrival of the new year. The pagans believed that on this day - it was called Samhain - the worlds of the living and the dead touch.

begging spirits

To protect themselves from the ghosts of the dead, the Celts dressed in animal skins, put out the fires in their houses and put food on the street - gifts for the spirits. And so a tradition appeared that is still relevant today: dressing up in creepy costumes and demanding treats from passers-by.

Under the protection of a pumpkin

The main symbol of Halloween is a pumpkin with a light burning inside. The history of this image is as follows: on the night of Samhain, the inhabitants of the Celtic villages gathered around the fire, where the druids conjured fire to protect people from ghosts. Then the priests lit candles in hollowed gourds, which symbolized the end of summer and the end of the harvest, and distributed them to the village people. With such an amulet, the Celt had nothing to fear from the attack of ghosts.

pumpkin record holder

Today, Western farmers compete to grow the biggest pumpkin for Halloween. The record belongs to Canadian Scott Palmer from Ontario: his fetus weighed more than 650 kilograms.

Devilishly fast teacher

The modern Halloween celebration includes many contests. One of them is carving the “face” of a pumpkin for speed. The record was set in 2008 by New York teacher Stephen Clark, who prepared 50 pumpkins for Halloween in an hour, that is, spent a little more than a minute on one holiday vegetable. This funny achievement is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Burn, burn bright

Another unusual record belongs to the whole American city - Boston. There, in 2006, the celebrants simultaneously lit 30,128 pumpkin lanterns, which became the most massive illumination in the history of Halloween.

Samhain at Walt Disney World

In Europe, one of the most colorful Halloween carnivals is traditionally held at Disneyland Paris. On a festive night, not only the famous amusement park is transformed - all its visitors, young and old, must follow the "demonic" dress code. By the way, the administration strongly recommends that parents do not bring children under the age of twelve to Halloween.

werewolf city

Another Halloween hotspot in France is the city of Limoges. For one night, the whole city is transformed: for example, all employees of hotels and hotels change their official uniforms into fancy dress and serve customers, having already entered their demonic roles. Clients don't complain.

Dr. Frankenstein on the roof

The Germans celebrate Halloween no less actively. The focus of parties on October 31 in Germany is the famous Frankenstein Castle in Darmstadt. There is a belief that on this very night the ghost of the owner of the estate, known for his terrible experiments, appears on the roof of the castle and roams the corridors.

Silent Halloween

Halloween is also celebrated in China. The local name for this holiday is Teng Chieh, which translates as "Day of Remembrance of the Ancestors." Conservative Chinese do not arrange lavish carnivals and fun parties: this is a quiet, homely holiday. In front of photographs of deceased relatives, food is placed in houses and candles are lit, which, as the Chinese believe, illuminate the path of the departed in another world.

From dusk to dawn

So for some residents of European countries, Halloween is not a holiday of funny masquerades and extravagant parties, but a day of honoring dead ancestors. Europeans who have preserved the pagan faith come to cemeteries on the night of Samhain and bring food to the graves of their relatives, and then gather around the fires, where they spend time until dawn.

From Ireland to America

It is known that the most grandiose carnivals and processions on Halloween night take place in America. Interest in this holiday is not accidental here, because the modern States are inhabited, among other things, by the descendants of immigrants from Ireland, who “brought” this holiday to the continent several centuries ago.

Scottish divination

A holiday like Halloween cannot do without fortune-telling. Scottish girls, wanting to see their fiancé, on the night of November 1, wetted the sheets with water, and then hung them in front of a fire or fireplace. At midnight, the silhouette of the future husband was supposed to appear on the surface of the sheet. Another popular British divination instructed a girl who wanted to see her fiancé to go down the stairs to the cellar on the night of Samhain and look not at her feet, but in the mirror. Whoever appears in it - that and be her husband.

Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com

Words to the text in English "History of Halloween"

1. be associated with - associated with
2. supernatural - supernatural
3. creature - creature
4. originally - initially
5. especially - especially
6. veil - veil
7. attribute - attribute
8. hollow out - scrape from the inside
9. fancy costumes - masquerade costumes
10. It is cut up to - She (pumpkin) is cut out to ...

History of the origin of Halloween

(The Origin of Halloween. Text in English with translation)

This holiday started in Ireland. halloween was originally a festival of the dead. It is celebrated on the 31st of October. halloween means All Hallows Eve. you know , the 1st of November is All Hallows Day (All Saints' Day). People thought that the evening (eve) before is the time when the veil between the living and the dead is lifted and witches, ghosts and other creatures are about. So this holiday is associated with death and supernatural. It is very popular with children and teenagers, especially in America.

It is the only time in autumn before the cold days begin when it is still warm enough to go outside and enjoy the beauty of autumn. On that day children wear unusual fancy costumes and masks. They dress up as witches, ghosts, ghouls, bats, evil spirits, skeletons and frighten people. They say "Trick or Treat". If they get a treat, they go away. But if they don't, they play tricks.

The main attribute of halloween is Jack-O'Lantern ( Jack Lantern) or hollowed-out pumpkin. It is cut up to look like a frightening face and a candle is placed inside.

But it turns out that everything is not so simple, because Halloween was celebrated by the Celts about 2000 years ago and then this holiday was called -. You can learn more about this holiday from Leo: http://lingualeo.com/ru/jungle/halloween-21481#/page/1

The Origin of Halloween (text in Russian)

This holiday originated in Ireland. Originally, Halloween was the Day of the Dead or the holiday of Death. And they celebrated it on October 31st. The very word halloween stands for Hallowe'en, which celebrate Nov. 1. Previously, people thought that on the eve of this day, the veil between the world of the living and the dead opens slightly and witches, spirits and other supernatural beings appear among the living. Therefore, this holiday is associated with many people with death. It is very popular among children and teenagers especially in America.

Topic: Halloween

Theme: Halloween

Orange and bright we commonly think of sweet porridge, when we see this plant. But American people made it a symbol of the holiday. They use it not only for consumption, but also for a horror effect after its carving. What is it? Of course, it is a pumpkin, the main association of the Americans with Halloween. Jack-o"-lanterns in the pumpkins with a terrific facial expression are only one symbol of this wonderful holiday, but there are many other exciting activities to celebrate Halloween.

Orange and bright - we usually imagine sweet porridge when we see this plant. But the American people have made it a symbol of the holiday. They use it not only for consumption, but also for a frightening effect due to the fact that shapes can be carved from it. What's this? Of course, this is a pumpkin, the main association among Americans with Halloween. Pumpkin lanterns with amazing expressions are just one symbol of this wonderful holiday, but there are many other fun activities to celebrate Halloween.

Halloween is a holiday with a long history celebrated on October, 31. Its contradictive origin is and Celtic festivals. It is a day to remember all the dead, but gradually its celebration has changed greatly from a serious spiritual day to a humorous and ridiculous death confrontation. Halloween is regarded a pagan festival in Europe, but still many people desire to communicate with spirits or foresee their future on this day. Nowadays of different countries, but nothing can be compared with the annual parade in New York dedicated to Halloween. It is a major nighttime parade, where thousands of participants wear colorful costumes, millions of spectators follow it either being present there, or on TV.

Halloween is a holiday with a long history, celebrated on October 31st. Its controversial origins are both influenced by Christianity and Celtic festivals. This is a day of remembrance for all the dead, but gradually the holiday has changed significantly from a serious spiritual to a humorous and a day of ridiculous confrontation of death. Halloween is considered a pagan holiday in Europe, but many more people wish to communicate with spirits or foresee their future on this day. Currently, he has assimilated into the society of different countries, but nothing can compare with the annual Halloween parade in New York. This is a major nighttime parade where thousands of participants don colorful costumes, millions of spectators follow it either by being there or on TV.

Halloween is represented with numerous symbols, which are usually frightening and terrific. The main artifacts are jack-o"-lanterns. Pumpkin became a symbol of Halloween replacing a turnip, as it is easier to carve different figures in it. Usually this plant gets two wide-open eyes, a triangle nose and a scary smile. A candle inside frightens evil spirits and adds some impressive effect.

Halloween is represented by many symbols that are usually frightening and awesome. The main artifacts are lanterns. The pumpkin has become a symbol of Halloween replacing the turnip, as it is easier to carve figures in it. Usually this plant has two wide-open eyes, a triangle for the nose and a scary smile. The candle inside scares away evil spirits and adds some spectacular effect.

The other symbols of Halloween are ghosts, witches, skulls and skeletons, cobwebs, scarecrows and different horror trifles. All of them remind of the death and evil forces around us and the fact that people's lives are not eternal. The colors associated with Halloween are orange and black.

Other symbols of Halloween are ghosts, witches, skulls and skeletons, cobwebs, scarecrows and various horror trivia. All of them remind of death and evil forces around us and the fact that people's lives are not eternal. The colors associated with Halloween are orange and black.

The ways of celebrations are also very diverse. This holiday is very popular either with adults or with kids. The grown-ups can spend it with family or friends, but now it is very customary to hang out at the costumed party with co-workers. Home celebrations might involve watching of horror films or . It is also important to buy some sweets, as most children spend this evening going from house to house and playing "trick-or-treat" game. They wear outstanding and extraordinary costumes, put on masks or terrific make-up and with the demand of sweets, gifts or snacks. If the host or hostess refuses, they threaten to spoil something or do some harm or nasty tricks. So it is better to please all these little spirits, spiders and witches with a handful of something tasty. One more reason to open your door to these kids is their possible desire to help other children as many of them carry a box with the label of UNICEF and gather money for the sick.

The ways of celebrating are also very diverse. This holiday is very popular either among adults or among children. Adults can spend it with family or friends, but now it's very common to hang out at costume parties with co-workers. At home, the celebration might include watching horror movies or building a haunted house. It is also important to buy some sweets as most children spend this evening going from house to house playing the trick or treat game. They wear eye-catching and extraordinary costumes, put on masks or stunning make-up, and visit neighborhood homes demanding sweets, gifts, or snacks. If the host or hostess refuses the treat, they threaten to spoil something or do some mischief or obnoxious antics. So you'd better welcome all those little spirits, spiders and witches with a handful of something tasty. Another reason to open your door to these children is their possible desire to help other children, as many of them carry a box with a UNICEF label and collect money for the sick.

Halloween is a holiday spread on all the continents and in many countries. Though the process of its celebration is greatly influenced by the USA, there are countries, which have their own customs and traditions. Irish people like lighting bonfires and making firework displays. In Britain some children put candles into the skulls instead of pumpkins. In the Philippines people buy candles and flowers to prepare for the religious peculiarities of these days. In our country this holiday is rather popular among schoolchildren, as much attention is paid to the historical and language background. , play games or frighten someone? And, of course, it is another reason to spend time with friends, laugh and entertain. No matter what is the purpose of the Halloween celebration, it is great that there is such an extraordinary holiday.

Halloween has spread to all continents and to many countries. Although the process of celebrating it largely depends on the United States, there are countries that have their own customs and traditions. The Irish often light bonfires and make fireworks. In Britain, some children put candles in skulls instead of pumpkins. In the Philippines, people buy candles and flowers to prepare for the religious occasions of these days. In our country, this holiday is quite popular among schoolchildren, as much attention is paid to its historical and linguistic basis. What kid wouldn't love to put on some interesting costume, play games or scare someone? And, of course, this is another reason to spend time with friends, laugh and relax. No matter what the purpose of Halloween is, it's great that there is such an extraordinary holiday.