The spookiest night of the year is fast approaching and, although we haven’t got to the level of commercialism in the same way as our transatlantic neighbours, over recent years the UK has started to adopt some of the events associated with Halloween such as trick or treating and dressing up in scary costumes.
Whilst most people believe that the Halloween tradition began in America, you may be surprised to discover that it actually found its roots in Ireland. With that in mind, here are a few ideas to keep your babies and toddlers happy rather than petrified, and enjoy some family time as well.
How it started
In pagan Ireland summer officially ended on October 31st and was known as the Feast of Samhain (pronounced Sow-en). November 1st was All Saints’ Day and people believed that the souls of the dead came back to earth to visit their friends and families. It was commonly known
as a ‘hallowed’ or ‘holy’ day and became known as All Hallows’ day and the day before was called All Hallows’ Evening. This was eventually shortened to Hallows’ Even’ and is where the name Halloween originates.
People believed that All Hallows’ Eve was when people who had died
in the previous year would attempt to find bodies to possess. In
a bid to scare them off, people would dress up in scary outfits.
Over the centuries people believed less and less in the supernatural
but still enjoyed dressing up. This started the tradition of fancy
dress at Halloween.
In the 1840′s, Halloween traditions were brought to America by
Irish immigrants fleeing the country’s potato famine.
Witches and wizards the American way
Halloween in America is a huge and costly event. $1.93 billion
is spent on sweet sales, beating Easter, Valentine’s day and Christmas.
A further $1.5 billion is spent on costumes each year and more than
$2.5 billion on other Halloween paraphernalia, such as decorations
and crafts.
Everyone takes part, from toddlers to adults, most of whom dress
up in costumes that can range from frighteningly gory to simple
and cute.
Different traditions around the world
However, it seems the rest of the world is less keen to be so extravagant
and many countries keep it part religious and part fun.
Across much of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain,
the period from 30th October through to the 8th November is known
as All Souls Week and Catholics attend church services in honour
of the saints, the martyrs and those who have died for the Catholic
faith.
The customs throughout much of the world reflect the original beliefs
that the dead came back to earth on Hallowe’en. People in Germany
put away their knives so they cannot hurt returning spirits, those
in Japan place food and water in front of photos of their loved
ones and light candles to guide their journey back to earth.
In the Philipines, candles are lit in memory of dead relatives
and in Mexico, people picnic on their relatives’ graves as it is
a day of remembrance, happiness and celebration.
And it seems the Canadians have the best ideas. They place Jack-O’
Lanterns in their windows to welcome trick-or-treaters. No lantern
means stay away!
But it’s in Ireland where you will find not only the beliefs that
lead to some of the traditions but also the most family-orientated
fun.
Scary Pumpkins?
Pumkins are in abundance at this time of year but try to find
one at any other time and you may not be so lucky. The idea is
to carve a scary face in the hollowed out pumkin, slip in a nightlight
and there you have a Jack O’Lantern.
The tradition follows an Irish tale about a man called Jack,
surprisingly enough, who liked to play tricks on people. He managed
to trick the Devil into climbing a tree and kept him prisoner
there by carving a cross onto the trunk. He allowed the Devil
to go free once the Devil had promised not to tempt him any more.
When Jack died he was not allowed into Heaven because he made
a deal with the Devil and he was not allowed into Hell because
he had tricked the Devil, so he was forced to tread the path of
darkness with only an ember to light his way which he put in a
turnip to make a lantern.
Nowadays people prefer to use the larger pumpkin rather than
turnips to follow this tradition. The scary face is a new addition
to link up with the horror of Halloween although mine always end
up looking more like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz due to
my total lack of artistic talent!
Apple bobbing, Barmbrack and happy toddlers
However, my scarecrow lanterns are not such a bad thing. Do we
really want to spend the weeks following Halloween trying to convince
our toddlers that monsters really don’t exist?
Young children and babies do not need Hallowe’en but if you’d like
to have some fun, take some ideas from the Emerald Isle.
Apple bobbing is great fun for adults and children alike. Float
some apples in a bowl of water and try to get them out using only
your mouth. Toddlers can eat the apples afterwards and will love
playing with the water and soaking everyone.
Barmbrack is a traditional Irish fruit cake with a bit of a twist.
Bits are added to it so that everyone who gets a slice gets a piece
of fortune, be it good or bad. Traditional things that used to be
added are; · A ring – meaning a marriage would occur · A pea – for
prosperity · A bean – for a blessing · A rag – meaning poverty ·
A silver coin – for eternal riches · A matchstick – meaning death
(well, it is Halloween)
Obviously, this sort of cake isn’t really for young children who
could choke but it can be adapted using fruit, for example. A chunk
of apple could indicate a suprise, a segment of orange could be
a good sleep. Or alternatively, let the adults find the fortune
and the children enjoy the cake!
A survival guide for parents!
Whilst children excitedly start planning Halloween their parents
thoughts turn to far more practical matters. Oxfordshire-based charity
Parentline Plus
recognises the potential stress parents face on the scariest night
of the year. “Halloween has become a big event over the years” says
Shirley Parker at Parentline Plus. “Parents want to have fun with
their kids and ensure they are safe but it can also be a headache,
especially as it is a school night – to get them into bed on time,
make sure they don’t annoy the neighbours and don’t spend the weekly
shopping budget on fangs and masks!”
Parentline Plus has compiled some top tips for parents by parents
for surviving Halloween!
- Be prepared for pester power when out shopping. Supermarkets
have loads on offer so set a budget or what you are going to get
with the kids before you go. If you have time make things – there
are loads of ideas on the internet. - If you don’t fancy them trick or treating find out what the
alternatives are. Schools, libraries and websites will be advertising
children’s events and parties in local parks which are great fun. - Have your own party! It doesn’t have to cost the earth and
you can put on games such as apple bobbing and best costume competitions. - Set your own alarm clock of when they will stop eating sweets
and when it’s bed time so you can calm them and get them off to
sleep at a reasonable time on a school night. - To avoid your kids overloading on sugary sweets set ground rules
beforehand, e.g. tell them they will not get any more sweets for
the rest of the week and encourage them to ration them, or help
them do this if they are young and encourage relatives and friends
to mix sweets up with alternatives such as boxes of raisins or
toffee apples. - Help your kids understand that some people may be frightened
or trying to get babies to sleep. - Set a curfew and agree what area/streets/houses they can go
to. - To avoid scaring them, casually remind them not to go inside
strangers’ houses and to run and tell someone if they are worried
about anything. - Ensure you talk to them about the dangers of fireworks and encourage
them to come home if they see anyone messing around with fireworks.
Fun not fright
The important thing to remember with Halloween is that children
get scared and if you want to have fun do it in a way that won’t
frighten them.
Already the shops are full of masks and gory body parts which a
busy mum will probably not even take much notice of but a toddler
sitting in a pushchair will see everywhere he looks. If you want
to avoid nightmares, try to avoid subjecting your toddler to too
much gruesome stimulation. When you’re out and about, keep him occupied
with a favourite toy, book or even sweets.
If you want some fancy dress, keep it simple if babies are around
and try to avoid masks which toddlers find very difficult to understand.
Remember their ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality
does not fully develop until around four or five years old.
If you want to dress your cherub up, and a lot of toddlers love
fancy dress keep it traditional – fireman or policeman, ballerina
or fairy – and avoid putting masks on babies or toddlers. They rarely
like them.
Play it safe
Pumpkin Pain Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without your
very own Jack o’lantern and what fun it is to carve shapes into
your pumpkin and light the candle to create an eerie face with ghostly
shadows however, burns and cuts can result – in adults and toddlers
.Here’s how to deal with bleeding and burns.
Come fly with me Witches and wizards love to fly around
the midnight sky on their broomsticks but novice witches must be
careful. Young witches often fall off their broomsticks and break
bones. Follow this helpful advice for fractures and you’ll be back on your broomstick
in no time at all.
Trick or Treat Everyone loves going trick or treating and
collecting all manner of yummy sweets and cakes. Hard boiled sweets
can be a choking hazard, particularly for younger children who get
over excited. Quick action can avoid a disaster and your tot can enjoy the rest of the
evening .
Fright of your life There are lots of creepy ghosts and
ghouls around on the most spine-chilling night of the year. Children
out trick or treating dressed as Frankenstein and other ghoulish
costumes, can be pretty scary to other kids as well as grown-ups!
Find out how to treat heart attacks and fainting.
Loading ...
