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History of Trick or Treat in the United States

History of Trick or Treat in the United States

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Trick or treat has its roots in early American culture. People dressed up as animals or monsters to frighten off evil spirits. In addition to costumes, people would also perform dances to scare away the evil spirits. They exchanged candy and other items for scaring the spirits away. At the same time, people in need would ask for soul cakes and prayed for the souls of the rich.

 

Halloween

The traditions of trick or treating are rooted in a long history in the United States. The first known mention of the practice dates back to the early 1600s when small groups of children would go door to door asking for treats. This tradition eventually evolved into the popular trick or treat tradition we know today. Newspapers from the time period also document instances of mischief committed by children.

 

The traditions of trick or treating began as a way to keep the populace safe on Halloween. They were originally known as souling, and poor people dressed in costumes to trick or treat. In the 1920s, the practice was revived as a way to get children to dress up and ask for candy from strangers. The advent of sugar rations after the war also helped the event become widespread, and trick or treating quickly spread across the United States.

 

Costumes

Halloween costumes have evolved over the years. The tradition of dressing up for Halloween dates back to the 1930s, when children wore costumes from popular horror films. In the early 1960s, however, the popularity of Halloween costumes shifted from children to adults. With more families gathering at homes, Halloween parties, and elaborate Halloween episodes on television, there was an increased demand for costumes. In 1937, Ben Cooper, Inc. acquired the licenses to produce Batman and Spider-Man costumes. The costumes became popular and became available in department stores and five and dime stores.

 

Nowadays, Halloween costumes have become part of American culture. Costumes were originally made by hand, and before mass-production became a widespread industry, people used to make them in factories. Today, costume makers still use traditional techniques and materials to create fun costumes.

 

Belsnicklers

Trick-or-treating's roots lie in the 19th century, when Irish immigrants to America brought with them traditions of Halloween. They reintroduced the holiday, which is still celebrated today. It took time for trick-or-treating to catch on, though. Independent etymologist Barry Popik has found some of the earliest examples of trick-or-treating in the United States.

 

During the first half of the twentieth century, trick-or-treating was mostly reserved for the English and Irish. But once the Irish arrived, it was transformed into a more secular holiday with town-wide parties, parades, and other festivities. In the 1920s, vandalism and other pranks plagued these celebrations, but the tradition eventually became a national phenomenon. In the 1950s, the trend returned to trick-or-treating, but with a more child-friendly theme.

 

Safety

While trick-or-treating is fun and can be safe, it is also a complicated process. The increase in COVID-19 infections has led to heightened precautions for safety on this day. Compared to indoor activities, trick-or-treating is safer when children travel in small groups. However, traditional trick-or-treating can involve large crowds of children and crowded moments.

 

When taking your child trick-or-treating, make sure you know the route and the neighborhood before letting them out. Make sure that you are with them so that they don't run away and hurt themselves. Children should never run unaccompanied on the streets or in their costumes. They should also cross the street only at the crosswalk. Moreover, you should always check the candy carefully before giving it to your child.

 
 
 
 
 
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