Halloween is one of Canada’s most anticipated holidays. Occurring every year on October 31, kids, adults, and even family pets look forward to celebrating Halloween. This year kids will go Halloween trick-or-treating on Tuesday, October 31. For newcomers, Halloween traditions may be unfamiliar especially if you come from a country that does not celebrate this holiday. Find out what you can expect this year, from common decorations and costumes to safety tips for a happy Halloween!
What is Halloween?
Widely associated with haunted Halloween props and silly costumes, Halloween was first celebrated by the ancient Celts living in Ireland almost 2,000 years ago. Since then, Halloween has evolved to become the holiday we know and love today. Although Halloween is not a public holiday, it is the second-largest commercial holiday that Canadian children and adults look forward to.
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The ancient Celts believed that October 31 was the only time of year when spirits from the underworld could enter the world of the living. These spirits were believed to be unfriendly to human beings and could bring the living back to the underworld. Because of this, people started dressing as spirits on the night of October 31 so that returning spirits wouldn’t bring them any harm.
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Around the late 1800s, immigrants brought Halloween to Canada. And over time, people started wearing funnier and less scary costumes for Halloween. Now, Halloween is viewed as a day to gather with family and friends and overall, have a great time. It has become an iconic holiday that Canada and many countries around the world celebrate. However, some things make Halloween unique and set it apart from other holidays.
Here are some of the most popular Halloween traditions in Canada:
Halloween Trick-or-Treating
Halloween in Canada is not complete without trick-or-treating. Kids delight in planning their costumes, dressing up, and spreading haunted Halloween vibes in neighbourhoods across Canada.
But wait…what is trick-or-treating? Trick-or-treating is a common tradition that starts around dusk and continues until around around 8:30 p.m. on October 31. During this time, children go door-to-door in their neighbourhood, wearing Halloween costumes and carrying baskets, hoping to receive treats. If a neighbour opens their door, the children yell, “Trick-or-Treat!”, and the neighbour gives each child a piece of candy.
Adults take this time to gather with friends and family and hand out candy to passing children. Some even like to dress up in costumes or set up haunted Halloween props near the front door to give children a little fright before handing out candy.
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If you’re passing out candy, you can fill a large bowl to hand out to any trick-or-treaters that come to your door. A trip to the grocery store or even the dollar store is a good spot to pick up some affordable treats. But remember, only give out candy that is in sealed packages. For hygiene and safety, it’s best to avoid giving out homemade or loose candy. Parents typically don’t let their children eat any candy that is not safely packaged. You should also inspect the treats that your child gets before you let them eat any, just to be on the safe side.
However, some people do not celebrate Halloween in Canada for various reasons. So, you may choose not to participate. If you would like to avoid trick-or-treaters appearing at your door, you can simply turn off your front door house lights.
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Halloween Decorations for Home and Yard
It is impossible to miss Halloween in Canada. Around mid-October 31, people start decorating the front of their homes and yards and this becomes a common sight in many neighbourhoods. For home and yard decor ideas, stores like Canadian Tire can help you create a haunted Halloween mood for your house.
Jack o’ lanterns are one of the most iconic Halloween decorations. You also don’t need to buy them from a shop because they are very easy to make at home! A jack o’ lantern is a hollowed-out root vegetable, usually a pumpkin, in which you can place a candle. People like to carve faces on the pumpkin to make it look scary or funny.
During the night, when the candle is lit inside the pumpkin, the jack o’ lantern will be just what it sounds like, a lantern. If you carve a face into the pumpkin, candlelight will go through the carvings, making a really cool effect. If you don’t want to go out and buy Halloween decorations, jack o’ lanterns are a great way to show your holiday spirit.
Halloween decorations can be anything that looks spooky. Witches, ghosts, and skeletons are common decorations that you’ll see in people’s front yards.
Trick-or-Treating Halloween Costumes
While you can always expect to see children dressing up in spooky costumes, which is a classic choice, other costumes are downright cute and adorable. Superheroes, princesses, animals, there is no limit to creative Halloween trick-or-treating costume ideas.
Whether you choose to buy a costume, or get creative and make one with supplies from your local dollar store, there are plenty of ideas to consider. But, also keep your child’s safety in mind to ensure a happy Halloween!
On October 31, children can wear simple costumes to school. However, schools may have guidelines that your child will have to follow. You may even see adults wearing Halloween costumes in the office for the day.
Happy Halloween Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips
While kids of all ages love to dress up on Halloween night, it’s important to remember both costume and traffic safety tips for an extra safe Halloween:
Costume Safety Tips:
- Ensure all costumes. wigs, and accessories are fire-resistant
- Add reflective tape to costumes and bags so children are visible after dark
- Use makeup over masks so that children have greater visibility
- Accompany your children if they are under 12 years old.
Traffic Safety Tips During Trick-or-Treating Hours:
- Watch for children walking on roadways
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully
- Watch for children in dark clothing
- Avoid driving on Halloween if you are a new or inexperienced driver.
With these treat-or-treating tips, you and your children are sure to enjoy a very happy Halloween!
