The Origin of Halloween
Halloween candy has changed considerably over the years, but no matter what form it takes, its purpose is still the same, to pay or bribe the roaming ghosts and spirits to take their mischief and haunting elsewhere. The origin of Halloween is believed to be derived from the ancient pagan celebration known as Samhain, or “The End of Summer”. Later, it was associated with All Hallows Eve, which is where the common name, Halloween, was derived, and was the night where the spirits of the dead returned to walk the earth.
Halloween candies and treats come in a wide variety, including homemade popcorn balls and candy apples, commercially produced individually wrapped candy, and sometimes even toys or money. Individually wrapped treats are generally preferred due to safety concerns about the contents of open Halloween candy.
There are many interesting Halloween candy facts and just as many myths and rumors. For instance, there is a widespread myth about pins or needles being hidden inside Halloween candy apples, but there has never been a confirmed incident and no one has ever been charged with this act. Another interesting fact is that Halloween candy corn has been popular for over 100 years, and was first produced commercially in 1898. For many it is still a Halloween candy favorite.
Even though homemade candy may not be the preferred choice for treats to hand out at your door, Halloween parties offer a great opportunity to show off your favorite Halloween candy recipes and create some special treats for your guests. These treats can be as simple as dipping apples into melted caramel or creating your own gummy type worms or wrigglers. These can be packed into Halloween candy bags and given as prizes for the winners of your favorite Halloween games, like bobbing for apples, or for the best Halloween costume.
Like many of our other holidays, Halloween has become so commercialized that its origin is completely lost. The idea of dressing in costume to represent a ghost or spirit walking the earth on All Hallows Eve has now been replaced by costumes that look like movie stars or sports figures. Thankfully, Halloween candy has remained a constant, and while it too may have been commercialized and is neatly individually wrapped, it still tastes as sweet as ever.
Hopefully, no matter how Halloween may change in the future, Halloween candy will still remain the one thing that is looked forward to every year, by parents and children alike.
