A Short History of Halloween

Halloween (31st October) is popular in the UK and even more popular in America where it estimated a quarter of the years’ sweets are sold during the period. Halloween, Pumpkins and Trick-or-Treat. How did it all start?

halloween pumpkinHalloween (31st October) is popular in the UK and even more popular in America where it estimated a quarter of the years’ sweets are sold during the period.

There’s a long history behind Halloween. It may have started as long ago as the Celts, 2000 years ago. Around the 7/8th Century the Pope made November 1st the Christian event of All Saints Day or All Hallows Day (as ‘Hallow’ means Saint or holy person), to honour all saints and martyrs.

The night before All Saints Day, the 31st October, the Celtic Samhain night, became the time for ghosts of the dead to return and cause trouble and ruin crops, so people started lighting bonfires to warn off these evil spirits. They made Jack O’Lanterns as images of the dead, carved out of pumpkins.

This night was called All Hallows Eve which eventually got contracted to Halloween. By the way, November 2nd is known as All Souls Day, the day to honour the dead.

Today we still have the pumpkins, sometimes the bonfires, and often dress up as ghostly figures, play games and go trick-or-treating. It’s good fun, especially for kids, but the adults love to join in!

You can get some good outfits and props from the Amazon Halloween Store.


List of items on:

UK On eBay UK:
Halloween Decorations Dead Victim Props-Scary Fake Corpse in Bag Outdoor Decor
Halloween Decorations Dead Victim Props-Scary Fake Corpse in Bag Outdoor Decor
£ 7.99
5M Halloween Giant Spider Web with Small Spiders Party Props Outdoor Decor UK
5M Halloween Giant Spider Web with Small Spiders Party Props Outdoor Decor UK
£ 5.57
Faceless Spectre Light Up Moving With Sound Halloween Decoration Party Prop 85cm
Faceless Spectre Light Up Moving With Sound Halloween Decoration Party Prop 85cm
£ 14.99
5PCS Halloween Decoration Inflatable Pumpkin with LED Lights Party Light Gard
5PCS Halloween Decoration Inflatable Pumpkin with LED Lights Party Light Gard
£ 3.89
Halloween Crawling Zombie Horror Props Outdoor Garden Statue Graveyard Decor UK
Halloween Crawling Zombie Horror Props Outdoor Garden Statue Graveyard Decor UK
£ 10.99
200cm Hairy Giant Spider Halloween Prop Haunted House Party In/Outdoor Decor DIY
200cm Hairy Giant Spider Halloween Prop Haunted House Party In/Outdoor Decor DIY
£ 6.49
1 HOUR HORROR CREEPY HALLOWEEN SOUND EFFECTS PARTY CD SCARY HOUSE SPOOKY SCREAMS
1 HOUR HORROR CREEPY HALLOWEEN SOUND EFFECTS PARTY CD SCARY HOUSE SPOOKY SCREAMS
£ 3.95
SKELETON HALLOWEEN DECORATION LED EYES GROUND BREAKING PARTY DECORATION BONES
SKELETON HALLOWEEN DECORATION LED EYES GROUND BREAKING PARTY DECORATION BONES
£ 13.99
Happy Halloween Hanging Banner Flag Party Celebrate Foldable Home Outdoor Decor
Happy Halloween Hanging Banner Flag Party Celebrate Foldable Home Outdoor Decor
£ 3.97
2Pcs 3D Fire Flame Campfire Cardboard Halloween Party Decor Artificial Paper UK
2Pcs 3D Fire Flame Campfire Cardboard Halloween Party Decor Artificial Paper UK
£ 3.49
HALLOWEEN DECORATION HANGING REAPER LIGHT UP EYES SOUNDS 175CM PARTY PROP LARGE
HALLOWEEN DECORATION HANGING REAPER LIGHT UP EYES SOUNDS 175CM PARTY PROP LARGE
£ 12.99
Giant 30cm Rat Skeleton Halloween Decoration Realistic Bones Scary Party Props
Giant 30cm Rat Skeleton Halloween Decoration Realistic Bones Scary Party Props
£ 7.25
LED Halloween Decoration Giant Spider Web Lights Party Props Fancy Decor Outdoor
LED Halloween Decoration Giant Spider Web Lights Party Props Fancy Decor Outdoor
£ 3.99
2 LED Light Ghost Windsock Halloween Decor Garden Decor Props Party Home Hanging
2 LED Light Ghost Windsock Halloween Decor Garden Decor Props Party Home Hanging
£ 4.60
Halloween Glowing Ghost Light Outdoor Decor Garden Prop Party Home Hanging Decor
Halloween Glowing Ghost Light Outdoor Decor Garden Prop Party Home Hanging Decor
£ 2.99
Full Life Size Human Skeleton Halloween Prop Poseable Halloween Party Decoration
Full Life Size Human Skeleton Halloween Prop Poseable Halloween Party Decoration
£ 15.69
Large Hairy Giant Halloween Spider Haunted House Party DIY Outdoor  Home Decor
Large Hairy Giant Halloween Spider Haunted House Party DIY Outdoor Home Decor
£ 7.99
200g Halloween Spider Web Stretchable Cobweb Fake Spiders /Bats Party Props
200g Halloween Spider Web Stretchable Cobweb Fake Spiders /Bats Party Props
£ 3.19
4 Tombstones 43cm Gravestone Outdoor Halloween Decoration Prop Graveyard Garden
4 Tombstones 43cm Gravestone Outdoor Halloween Decoration Prop Graveyard Garden
£ 11.99
Spider In A Box Prank Wooden Scare Box Toy Trick Scary Halloween Party Pro Gift
Spider In A Box Prank Wooden Scare Box Toy Trick Scary Halloween Party Pro Gift
£ 3.79
Halloween 6PCS Black Lifesize Raven Movie Prop Fake Crow Hunting Decor Birds UK
Halloween 6PCS Black Lifesize Raven Movie Prop Fake Crow Hunting Decor Birds UK
£ 8.79
CLOWN HALLOWEEN DECORATION 3FT ANIMATED LIGHT UP MOVING WITH SOUND PARTY PROP
CLOWN HALLOWEEN DECORATION 3FT ANIMATED LIGHT UP MOVING WITH SOUND PARTY PROP
£ 10.99
Halloween Spider in a Box Prank Toy Play Gag Joke Scare Fake Spider Hidden Gift
Halloween Spider in a Box Prank Toy Play Gag Joke Scare Fake Spider Hidden Gift
£ 5.59
2x Realistic Hands Terror Bloody Fake Body Parts Severed Arm Hand Halloween Prop
2x Realistic Hands Terror Bloody Fake Body Parts Severed Arm Hand Halloween Prop
£ 7.98
100cm LED Light Halloween Decoration Giant Spider Web Party Props Decor Outdoor
100cm LED Light Halloween Decoration Giant Spider Web Party Props Decor Outdoor
£ 8.99
Scary Halloween Props Party Decor Thunder & Lightening Strobe Light + Sounds
Scary Halloween Props Party Decor Thunder & Lightening Strobe Light + Sounds
£ 3.47
Christmas Moving Laser LED Projector Light Outdoor Xmas Party Landscape Lamp UK
Christmas Moving Laser LED Projector Light Outdoor Xmas Party Landscape Lamp UK
£ 14.95
Halloween Spider in a Box Prank Toy Play Gag Joke Scare Fake Spider Hidden 2024
Halloween Spider in a Box Prank Toy Play Gag Joke Scare Fake Spider Hidden 2024
£ 6.42
TWO TUBES OF FAKE BLOOD HALLOWEEN VAMPIRE ZOMBIE HORROR HALLOWEEN FX MAKE-UP
TWO TUBES OF FAKE BLOOD HALLOWEEN VAMPIRE ZOMBIE HORROR HALLOWEEN FX MAKE-UP
£ 2.75
200CM Hairy Giant Spider Halloween Prop Haunted House Party In/Outdoor Decor
200CM Hairy Giant Spider Halloween Prop Haunted House Party In/Outdoor Decor
£ 6.39
76 x 240cm Creepy Hanging Cloth Halloween Props Scary Spooky Decoration Party
76 x 240cm Creepy Hanging Cloth Halloween Props Scary Spooky Decoration Party
£ 2.95
Halloween Adult Witches Hat  Black Hat Fancy Dress Party Horror Spooky  UK
Halloween Adult Witches Hat Black Hat Fancy Dress Party Horror Spooky UK
£ 2.89
ANIMATED HALLOWEEN DECORATION PROP SCARY SOUND LIGHT AND MOVEMENT CHOOSE STYLE
ANIMATED HALLOWEEN DECORATION PROP SCARY SOUND LIGHT AND MOVEMENT CHOOSE STYLE
£ 17.99
170cm Halloween Poseable Skeleton Full Life Size Human Skeleton Decoration Props
170cm Halloween Poseable Skeleton Full Life Size Human Skeleton Decoration Props
£ 13.99
Halloween Spider in a Box Prank Toy Play Gag Joke Scare Fake Spider Hidden Gift
Halloween Spider in a Box Prank Toy Play Gag Joke Scare Fake Spider Hidden Gift
£ 4.49
2x Halloween LED Light Ghost Outdoor Decor Garden Props Party Home Hanging Decor
2x Halloween LED Light Ghost Outdoor Decor Garden Props Party Home Hanging Decor
£ 6.73
3M Halloween Hanging Bats Ceiling Bat Wall Decoration Horror Haunted House Scene
3M Halloween Hanging Bats Ceiling Bat Wall Decoration Horror Haunted House Scene
£ 3.49
64CM POSEABLE FULL LIFE HUMAN SKELETON HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE PARTY PROP
64CM POSEABLE FULL LIFE HUMAN SKELETON HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE PARTY PROP
£ 5.99
6.6FT Hairy Giant Spider Halloween Prop Haunted House Party In/Outdoor Decor DIY
6.6FT Hairy Giant Spider Halloween Prop Haunted House Party In/Outdoor Decor DIY
£ 11.98
Halloween Neon Stitches Costume Purge Cosplay Mask Party Wire Light Up Led Masks
Halloween Neon Stitches Costume Purge Cosplay Mask Party Wire Light Up Led Masks
£ 3.99

List of items on: