Is this Halloween safe to ask for candy?
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(CNN) -
What does Halloween mean?
Where are you from?
Here's spooky background information on this holiday, which is celebrated annually in the United States on October 31.
In 2021, Halloween falls on a Sunday.
Facts
The word Halloween is a shortened version of the phrases All Hallows 'Eve or All Hallows' Evening.
Halloween comes from an ancient pagan festival celebrated by the Celts over 2,000 years ago called Samhain.
The festival took place in the UK, Ireland, and north-western France.
Samhain means "end of summer" and marks the beginning of winter.
Samhain is also believed to celebrate the beginning of the Celtic year.
The Celts believed that Samhain was a time when the dead could walk among the living.
The trick-or-treating tradition began in areas of the UK and Ireland.
People went from house to house making "souling" - ordering small loaves called "soul cakes - in exchange for a prayer.
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The adults also went door to door asking for food and drink in exchange for a song or dance.
Jack-o'-lanterns (the traditional carved pumpkins used as lanterns) are the symbol of Halloween.
People in Ireland and Scotland originally used beets or turnips as lanterns on Halloween.
An Irish legend says that Jack-o'-lanterns are named after a man named Jack who could not go to heaven or hell and was forced to walk the earth forever with just a coal from hell to light his lantern. .
The name Jack-o'-lantern can also be derived from the night watchman who lit the street lanterns every night.
Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought Halloween to America in the 19th century.
Haitian and African immigrants carried voodoo beliefs about black cats, fire, and witchcraft.
Halloween statistics for 2021 in the US
(Data from the National Retail Federation)
An estimated 65% of Americans will celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities this year.
66% of those consumers plan to give away candy, 52% plan to decorate their homes, and 44% plan to carve a pumpkin.
Total spending in 2021 is expected to exceed $ 10 billion, and the average consumer plans to spend $ 102.74 on decorations, candy, costumes and more.
Girl enchanted by her father's terrifying costume 2:05
The best costumes for kids for 2021
1. Spiderman
2. Princess
3. Batman
4. Superhero
5. Witch
The best costumes for adults for 2021
1. Witch
2. Vampire
3. Ghost
4. Cat
5 .Pirate
The best pet costumes for 2021
1. Pumpkin
2. Hot dog
3. Superhero / Cat
4. Bumblebee
5. Ghost
Halloween
