Halloween is one of the biggest holidays of the year. People from different parts of the world go from door-to-door collecting candy in an assortment of costumes. Costumes range from vampires and witches to animals and even foods.

This freaky holiday began in Ireland over 2,000 years ago. Celebrating Halloween was part of the Celts (the European cultural group of Ireland at the time) religious practices. At this time, Halloween was actually called the Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts believed that, at the end of every summer, “the barrier between the living world and the world of ghosts, demons and spirits got very thin,” allowing some of these creatures to escape from their world and take the souls of the living. By “mumming” or dressing up like the creatures, they were able to disguise themselves away from evil. Halloween has always started at sunset on October 31st and ended at sunset on November 1st.

Now, Halloween is seen as a time for friends and family to get together, scare each other and come up with creative costumes, decorations and foods. Many people like to wear “couples costumes” and coordinate one another’s outfits. Some pretty popular ones include: Mario and Luigi, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Milk and Cookies, Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Shrek and Fiona, Beauty and the Beast, Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead, Batman and Robin and many more.

I believe that Halloween is a fun holiday that helps families and friends connect through one big celebratory event.