Happy Halloween! To celebrate the scariest holiday of the year I have scoured the internet for some fun and interesting Halloween facts. Please comment with any other ones you know!!
· The record of the fastest pumpkin carver in the world is Jerry Aires, who carved a pumpkin in just 37 seconds!
· Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday after Christmas
· The custom of trick or treating comes from beggars knocking door to door trading good prays against spirits for food. Eventually children took over this tradition and people began baking soul sweets for them. Trick-or-treating was only adopted in America in 1940’s to keep children entertained, and discourages vandalism and mischief.
· In certain parts of America it is illegal to dress as a priest on Halloween.
· Silly String is ‘Off Limits’ in Hollywood between 12 noon on Oct 31st and 12 noon on Nov 1st every year.
· The Humane Society advice owners of black cats to keep their pets inside on Halloween as too many are tormented due to their relation to witches.
· Bobbing for apples was originally a tradition partaken by unmarried girls and boys. The first person to get an apple was believed to be the next to marry.
· In 2008 the five top selling children’s Halloween costumes, in order, were: princess, witch, Hannah Montana (surely a ghost is so much easier?), Spider man and pirate.
· Only in America....Halloween ranks the sixth most card-giving holiday, according to Hallmark, with 20 million cards sent each year. I didn’t even know you could buy Halloween cards, what would you write inside?!
· Harry Houdini died on October 31st in 1926...or was it just a trick for a treat.
Here are a few snaps to get you in to the Halloween spirit!!
