Halloween means different things to different people. Whether you’re a fan of scary movies, autumn candles, or simply in it for the sweets, everyone celebrates in their own way. Yet behind today’s familiar customs lie centuries of fascinating history. Let’s peel back the layers (and maybe an apple or two) to discover how it all began.
Many of today’s Halloween traditions trace back to Samhain, a Celtic harvest festival marking the transition from autumn to winter. During Samhain, people shared feasts of colcannon, apple cake, barm brack, apples, and nuts, leaving an empty chair at the table for departed loved ones.
Some even placed a bowl of champ - mashed potatoes with scallions - by a fairy thorn as an offering to spirits or fairies. Not all the rituals were solemn, though. Samhain was also a time for fortune-telling, where dropping an apple peel on the ground was said to reveal the first letter of a future sweetheart’s name.
The tradition of carving Jack o’ Lanterns also has Celtic roots. Originally, people carved turnips to ward off evil spirits, inspired by the tale of Stingy Jack, a man who tricked the Devil but found himself barred from both Heaven and Hell. Condemned to wander forever, Jack carried only a carved turnip lit by a single coal from Hell.
When Irish immigrants brought the custom to America, they discovered the pumpkin - bigger, brighter, and far easier to carve. The rest is Halloween history.
The custom of going door-to-door for treats began long before American candy culture. In medieval England, people celebrated “Souling” on All Saints’ Day, visiting homes to sing or pray for the dead in exchange for food - often a small “soul cake.”
To scare away spirits, participants wore costumes and masks - a tradition that evolved into today’s fun, spooky dress-up. Over time, Souling sweetened up, and became the trick-or-treating we know today.
Halloween has always divided opinion - some embrace the eerie excitement, others prefer the cosy comforts. But one thing’s certain: food has always been at the heart of Halloween.
So this year, when you carve a pumpkin or share sweets with trick-or-treaters, think of the ancient feasts, folklore, and festive superstitions that inspired the celebration we enjoy today!
