- Most experts trace trick-or-treating to the European practice of “mumming,” or “guysing,” in which costume-wearing participants would go door-to-door performing choreographed dances, songs, and plays in exchange for treats
- Others believe it came from a Celtic festival for the dead called “Samhain” in which people would dress in costumes and leave “treats” out on their front doors to appease the roaming spirits of the dead
- The name “Halloween” stemmed from “Hallowmas”, a three-day Catholic holiday where saints are honored, traditionally celebrated from Oct. 31 (All Hallow’s Eve) until Nov. 2
- Canada and Ireland are among the few countries to celebrate Halloween as we know it in the U.S. though many nations perform rituals honoring spirits and the dead around the same time
- Teng Chieh or the Lantern Festival is a festival in China where lanterns shaped like dragons and other animals are hung around houses and streets to help guide the spirits back to their earthly homes
- Halloween celebrations in Hong Kong are known as Yue Lan or the “Festival of the Hungry Ghosts” during which fires are lit and food and gifts are offered to placate potentially angry ghosts who might be looking for revenge
- Mexico celebrates the Days of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd, when people dress up like ghouls and parade down the street
- Because Protestant England did not believe in Catholic saints, the rituals traditionally associated with Hallowmas (or Halloween) became associated with Guy Fawkes Night
- In many countries, such as France and Australia, Halloween is seen as an unwanted and overly commercial American influence
