Halloween Traditions in the United States

If you ask American kids what their most favorite holiday is, many would tell you that it’s Halloween. It’s so popular it comes close to the popularity of Christmas and Thanksgiving. This annual holiday, which is observed every October 31st, is best characterized with scare-related activities like costume parties, Jack-o-lantern carving, haunted attraction visits, scary storytelling, and many more.

History

According to historian Nicholas Rogers, Halloween may have originated in the Roman feast of Pomona. Pomona is the goddess of fruits and seeds. It is also possible that the holiday came from Parentalia, which is the festival of the dead.

Symbols

The primary symbol of Halloween is the Jack-o-lantern. The carving of lanterns came from the custom of carving turnips to remember the souls in purgatory. Horror literary characters like Frankenstein and Dracula have also become symbols of this celebration. Other symbolic elements of Halloween include pumpkins, scarecrows, ghosts, and so on. Black and orange are the colors use for this occasion.

Trick or Treat

Probably the most popular tradition held every Halloween is trick or treat. In this custom, children in scary costumes go from one house to another to ask for treats like candy. They ask the homeowner with the question, “Trick or treat?” If the homeowner refuses to offer treats to the kids, they will play a prank on the homeowner.

Food

Just like any holiday, this one also calls for food feasts and merrymaking. Foods commonly served during this occasion include bonfire toffee, candy apples, caramel apples, caramel corn, roasted pumpkin seeds, and roasted sweet corn.

Halloween Traditions in the United States