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History of Trick or Treating
The history of Trick or Treating is
something that is not exactly known, but there a few different theories
about how the Halloween custom began.
Back in early Ireland people would go door-to-door to collect money,
baked goods, fruit, nuts, eggs and more to prepare for the festival
of St Columbus Kill.
It is more likely that what we call Trick or Treating today was started
by a different Irish custom. People again would go door-to-door and bag
for soul cakes and other offers. In exchange for these offerings people
would be offered protection from evil spirits and would be given prosperity
for them and their family for the year.
On the other side of the coin, if people did not give anything they had a
good chance of being victim to practical jokes.
There are ancient Irish accounts of Halloween being a night of mischief.
Where boys would gather in crowds led by a chosen ring leader who would
blow a horn. When people heard the horns getting close they would often
rush to prepare for their oncoming visitors. Sometimes there would be
a scramble to gather offering for the gang, because it was believed the
one offering the goods would receive good luck for the year.
The American history of Halloween began with children dressing up, with
boys going off and playing pranks outside and girls staying indoors and
playing games. After sometime the idea of Trick or Treating came back
into the norm of Halloween.
Children referred to as ragamuffins would dress in customs and bag for
pennies and food. With the onset of the depression and urban areas growing,
there was more vandalism, violence and cost for those asked for money.
Cities and towns began to have parties for children to attend and children
would dress up and ask for candy on Halloween. This effort to keep children
out of trouble was the beginning of what we call Halloween today.
For the most part the custom of Trick or Treating is relatively calm, but
there are sometimes causes of vandalism on Halloween.
Back to Halloween
History and Halloween Legends
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