2. HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN IN CANADA
• The origins of Halloween date back to 400 BC. C., when the festival of Samhain began in Ireland.
The exact purpose is unclear, but it appears to be a commemoration marking the end of summer
and the beginning on November 1 of a new year in the Celtic calendar.
• The transition from one year to the next was believed to mark a time when mortals and souls
could mingle with one another. In later centuries, families would make room at the dinner table
for the souls of deceased relatives who wanted to join them.
• In an effort to guide good souls to their door, families would carve faces into turnips or potatoes,
with lights placed inside to illuminate them.
• When millions of Irish people immigrated to North America in the 19th century, it followed the
tradition of what we now know as Halloween and became increasingly popular in Canada and
the United States.
3. HALLOWEEN CUSTOMS IN CANADA
• Canada stands out for having the best Halloween parties. In fact, this is Canada's most
commercial holiday after Christmas. This means that on October 31 you will see the
whole world involved in this celebration, no one is indifferent!
• Canadians spend a lot of money to get the best costumes. Each year, the goal is to
improve the previous outfit. From the smallest to the largest, they try to make Halloween
an unforgettable day.
• So, if you are in Canada on this day you should think very carefully about how you will
look. Next, we will indicate the way in which Halloween is celebrated in Canada, which
are obviously its traditional customs.
4. HOW TO CELEBRATE
• OUTFIT
• This celebration is celebrated with costumes. It is customary to look like witches, ghosts or spirits from the underworld at sunset.
• Although it is common for the little ones to have costumes, the truth is that the whole family dresses up.
• A curious aspect is that, although the traditional thing is to look as terrifying as possible, some choose to use costumes of funny characters that are
not related to ghosts. Without a doubt, it is a way to attract attention in the midst of so many monsters.
• ASK FOR CANDY
• Trick or treat is a phrase that is often said once you are in costume. And it is that in Canada it is customary to go through the neighborhood to look
for sweets. But, the usual way to ask is: trick or treat?
• If the neighbor makes a deal, he must give sweets, but if he refuses, then the children get into mischief and that is how the festivity begins.
• HOME DECORATIONS
• Canadians go out of their way to celebrate this holiday as if it were Christmas, so they decorate their houses with pumpkins or terrifying figures of
any kind.
• Every year they let their imagination run wild. When going through the neighborhoods you will be able to observe true works of art, for example, there
are those who manage to build real-scale cemeteries, which turns the front or facade into a true house of terror.
5. FOOD
• Families prepare packages of sweets alluding to Halloween. Among the
traditional and more elaborate sweets are popcorn, caramelized apples or
pumpkin pie.
• Of course, there is a wide variety of preparations, each Canadian brings her own
personal touch.
• There are special types of food associated with Halloween. These include candy
packages decorated with Halloween symbols, caramel apples made by coating
real apples with a cooked sugar solution, roasted corn, popcorn and pumpkin pie.
6. WHAT DO PEOPLE DO IN CANADA?
• Some people put a great deal of effort into decorating their homes, gardens, and
units. They can even build life-size replica graveyards or dungeons and invite people
from the neighborhood to view their creations or host a themed party.
• Other people may host costume parties for adults or children. The most popular
activities at parties include watching horror movies and trying to make the other
guests jump scared.
• Many children go out to play trick-or-treat. They dress up as ghosts, witches, skeletons
or other characters and visit houses in their neighborhood. Doorbells ring, and when
someone answers, say "trick-or-treat." This means that they hope to receive a gift of
candy or other snacks and that they threaten to play tricks on you if nothing is
achieved. They usually get a treat and tricks are rarely performed.
