General Chat

The custom of 'trick or treat' probably has several origins. Again mostly Irish.An old Irish peasant practice called for going door to door to collect money, bread cake, cheese, eggs, butter, nuts, apples, etc., in preparation for the festival of St. Columbus Kill. Yet another custom was the begging for soul cakes, or offerings for one's self - particularly in exchange for promises of prosperity or protection against bad luck. It is with this custom the concept of the fairies came to be incorporated as people used to go door to door begging for treats. Failure to supply the treats would usually result in practical jokes being visited on the owner of the house. Well I never knew that!!!!

I have mine own tricks for trick or treating, I electrify the fence. LOL No got loads of sweets here.

Here is me blaming the American's.

I too have been blaming the Americans.......just had my 4th crowd at the door!!....sweets all goneit will have to be satsumas.....maybe not, they will probably lob them at the door!!

Bliss, I live in an upstairs flat, they don't bother me here lol

No doubt the Irish took it to America and it made it's way back here - unfortunately!

well ive got me bowl a sweets,and me witchs treasure,so all i need now are the kids xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

And to add further what a miserable cow I am , I only like to give to kids that live on the street and I know and no older than 11....

What's the Hallween equivalent of 'Bah Humbug!' That's me.

Is it 'Bah Pumpkin' ????lol

lol Kris...good one!

I usually don't mind trick or treaters but I was not happy when 4 ghosts unaccompanied by an adult aged between 6 and 8 turned up at my door and said 'they gave me money next door' I just said tough it's chocolate here . Cheeky monkeys

It is the Christian festival of All Hallows Eve. This was originally earlier in the year, but with Christianity spreading through the Celtic population, it was decided that this should be moved to coincide with the Pagan festival of Sam Heim, (sa'wen) in which pagans believed that the dead coudl come back to visit only on this day as the 'veil' between this world and the next was at its thinnest. They would often light bonfires to keep the light there to avoid evil spirits from visiting them, which is why we also have Guy Fawkes around this time of year too.

And if something happens to one of these unaccompanied children, there will be a great hue and outcry. Shouldn't be out on their own in the dark, let alone hammering on the door of people they don't know. Jay

Absolutely agree Janet. xx

Samhein, is a festival where the Pagans worshipped the sacrifice which the God made. He died in order to feed the people (The Harvest). It's also known as the last Harvest, as it was the last chance to get, um.... the Harvest! lol Samhein means 'November Eve' in Old Irish Galic. (I don't think it's the same in Modern day Irish Galic) A Cornacopia (Sp?) was given by the rich of a parish to the young, and represented the male, um.... organ. lol The Food spilling out, is pretty self explanitary. :-p