Adults continually participate in Halloween festivities and parties. But we all know that Halloween is a celebration of ghosts, ghouls, gnomes, and family ties. Perhaps that’s the reason why Halloween usually ends up being connected with children, especially in North America.
H is for Halloween and the Harvest
Way back before Hollywood-inspired costumes arrived, rural American farmers would open their land to hunters during Halloween. Halloween was a significant time of the year for hunters because it was when the hunting season started. Trekkers and travelers would also start to fill up the immaculate lands in the northeastern regions of the United States.
Other times were but a footnote compared to the harvest period in the 19th century mythology in the United States. And various folk tales were often told as the harvest season loomed.
Trick or treat!
For a while, people were afraid of trick or treat sojourns into the night because of urban legends. These urban legends included:
- People who placed rusted razors into candied apples
- Contaminated candies given to kids
It was in the late 90′s when the resurgence of the number of homes that gave out candies on Halloween became noticeable. It served as a positive point for the kids, and even better for grown-ups everywhere. It meant that the more people who believed in trick or treat, the safer it was for kids to roam around the neighborhood during Halloween night.
A lot of people believe that the tradition of trick-or-treating strengthens the bonds between neighbors. If your children can be safe outside at night, watched carefully by grown-ups expecting tiny knocks on the door, it means you are in a good neighborhood filled with dependable people.
The Academe and Halloween
One of the most eminent American-cultured powerhouses is the unlikely school. During the time when conservative groups started losing grip on Halloween celebrations, schools started to support gatherings during fall. Such events encompassed:
- Halloween processions
- Halloween gatherings
The tradition is taught to children. However, in recent years, Halloween has become more and more about consuming Halloween-themed commodities than sharing solidarity with neighbors or enjoying the company of good friends and family in gatherings.
All About The Money
Halloween has turned so commercialized that large companies have taken advantage of this children’s festival. Companies pump out more and more products that people can enjoy not only during Halloween, but throughout the entire year.
From simple candies that bear resemblance to the hallmarks of horror films and stories, such as Count Dracula and the Wolf Man to gummy concoctions that bear resemblance to false fangs and bloody snakes, Halloween has truly become a consumerist enterprise.
Research states that all Halloween-inspired goods sold every year sum up to a jaw-dropping $950 million. And since majority of the products sold are just mere trinkets, it’s an amazing number. The bottom line is that Halloween is a good time for young children to learn to be wise buyers when they grow up.
This has become the real essence of Halloween — fun for the children, under the guidance of adults.
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