Halloween – it's that time of year

Some people count the days until Christmas. More and more, folks are counting the days until Halloween. The decorations start to appear in stores in mid-to-late summer. It might be easier just to purchase a black and orange Christmas tree. The holiday continues to grow in popularity every year. Costumes abound, and outdoor decor gets more and more elaborate. It is the time of year when our inner child emerges. Holidays send us back down a path of treasured memories. Who doesn't remember dressing in costume as a child and the joy of seeing your own children carefully select who or what they would be? I remember pumpkin carving with my three boys. There is nothing like the gooey insides of a pumpkin and the distinctive smell that fills the air once the pumpkin is opened. We loved the crunchy seeds toasted with salt. It is the season of eating candy and sweets. We set aside the weight-watching rules for just a few days to savor our favorite candy bars.

We no longer live in a neighborhood where our doorbells ring on Halloween night. We miss the creatures of the night seeking their holiday treats. The smallest of the costumed characters was our favorite. Some were brave, and others nervously looked out into the night to make sure Mom or Dad were waiting. We were a little impatient later in the night when teenagers knocked.

What is the origin of the treasured holiday? It goes back centuries. It remains very popular in Ireland, where it originated. It was an end-of-summer celebration when the dead revisited the mortal world. Huge bonfires were built to ward off evil spirits. Even after the arrival of Christianity in the sixth century, the Irish continued to practice the ancient pagan rite. Salt was once sprinkled in the hair of children to protect them from evil spirits. In present-day Ireland, adults and children dress up as creatures from the underworld (ghosts, ghouls, zombies, witches, and goblins), light bonfires, and enjoy firework displays. Houses are decorated with pumpkins or turnips carved with scary faces. The children knock on doors to gather fruit, nuts, and sweets.

Halloween did not become a holiday in America until the 19th century. Lingering Puritan tradition was so strong that Christmas was scarcely observed before the 1800s. The migration of two million Irish following the potato famine in 1845 brought Halloween to the United States. Halloween became big business in the 1950s. Stores began to sell decorations, costumes, and greeting cards. Today, it is one of the most profitable holidays next to Christmas for retailers.

So let the munching begin. Halloween is a test of willpower. Big Guy and I try very hard not to buy our trick-or-treat candy until the very last minute. Going to the grocery store is tough; you have to pass mountains of tempting candy. Somehow, Reese's and Snickers sneak into the house. So join in and put calories aside. Indulge. It is a time of year to celebrate a treasured ritual and delight in the holiday spirit.