Trick or treating is thought to have its roots from the early All Souls’ Day parades held in England. During All Souls’ Day, the poor would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives.
The practice of giving soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. This activity was referred to as “going a-souling” and was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.
Trick or Treat
Leaving food and wine for roaming spirits was known as “going a-souling” or “trick or treat”
Dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry.
Halloween was thought to be a night when ghosts and spirits were able to cross over to the earthly world. To avoid being recognized by the roaming ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so they would be mistaken for fellow spirits by the ghosts. On Halloween, bowls of food were also left outside homes to appease the ghosts and prevent the spirits from trying to enter their homes.
What do you do for your trick or treaters? Do you have certain candies you like to give out? Do you create a haunted house? Let us know!
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