| There are few holiday events, celebrations or | | | | away by the Devil and told to go back whence |
| rituals like Halloween. Especially for kids, | | | | he came. Jack asked the devil for a light |
| it is a time for them let loose and pretend, | | | | because the road back was so dark. The Devil |
| feel emotions they wouldn't often feel, and | | | | tossed him a burning ember from his hell fire |
| spend time with their friends in an | | | | and jack carried it in a hollowed out turnip |
| unstructured environment. It's one tradition | | | | he was eating. Ever since, as legend has it, |
| we should hold onto and enjoy more. | | | | Jack is wandering around in the dark with his |
| | | | lantern. |
| What started centuries ago in Ireland as All | | | | |
| Saints Day to honor Catholic Saints, became | | | | In North America, turnips were not in huge |
| All Hallows Eve and evolved to a strange | | | | supply. Instead pumpkins were used for Jack |
| ritual with an almost slang expression, | | | | O' Lanterns and are a big part of the |
| Halloween. Rather than warding off evil | | | | Halloween tradition today. Irish residents |
| spirits, Halloween in modern times for kids | | | | were always afraid of Jack returning or some |
| is more of an opportunity to scare and be | | | | other ghost of the departed would appear. |
| scared safely. It is the only celebration of | | | | They would wear costumes to frighten them |
| the year where whole communities become one | | | | away and would also leave food at their |
| big family and youths walk the dark streets | | | | doorstep to keep the ghosts occupied. That |
| to collect candy and show off their kids | | | | was the start of the trick or treat ritual |
| Halloween costumes. | | | | that most kids take part in today when they |
| | | | walk the neighbourhood streets on Hallow's |
| Although few people know much about | | | | Eve. The trick part was probably in honor of |
| Halloween, it is one of those events that | | | | old Jack. |
| captures the imagination of many. It has | | | | |
| spawned a multimillion dollar industry built | | | | Today, the celebration is fairly tame but |
| around merchandise such as Halloween | | | | kids still walk the streets wearing ghoulish |
| costumes, candy confectionaries, theatre and | | | | clothing and knocking on neighbor's doors and |
| movie entertainment, and for collecting funds | | | | there's plenty of parties across the country. |
| for charities. It is one of the few times | | | | There's pranks too, which was a part of the |
| kids get free reign of their imagination and | | | | Celtic tradition too. Probably more of Jack's |
| can let loose their inhibitions. At school, | | | | work. |
| Halloween is celebrated with plays and games, | | | | |
| and visits outside the school to haunted | | | | Halloween Costumes-On the topic of Halloween |
| houses. | | | | costumes, there are hundreds of ideas for |
| | | | costumes and many people enjoy making their |
| Halloween Origins-The Celtic tradition of | | | | kids costumes. There's always the Darth |
| Halloween is thought to have been brought to | | | | Vador, Pirate, Witch, Superman, Princess, |
| America and Canada from Irish immigrants in | | | | Batman, Skeleton, Ninja, Cowboy, Dracula |
| the 1840's. Long ago the Celtic people set | | | | costumes, and many other costume themes born |
| October 31st as summer's end and the | | | | out of the movie industry. This year's |
| beginning of a new year. They had belief | | | | preferences may be the Pirates of the |
| where the disembodied spirits of all those | | | | Caribbean, Harry Potter, Narnia Medieval |
| who had died in the last year would return in | | | | Warriors, but the cost of this apparel might |
| search of living bodies to possess for the | | | | frighten you. |
| next year. They extinguished all lights and | | | | |
| fires and made their homes cold. They would | | | | For a less amount you might want to consider |
| don ghoulish costumes and parade around the | | | | sports costumes. There are youths sports |
| neighbourhood to frighten away those spirits | | | | outfits that you can use as Halloween |
| looking for bodies to possess. | | | | costumes or even as kids pajamas. Not only |
| | | | are kids thrilled dressing up as a football |
| The Jack' O Lantern is perhaps the foremost | | | | player for instance, but they can actually |
| symbol of Halloween closely followed by | | | | sleep in them after the Halloween parties and |
| ghosts. Before modern manufactured Halloween | | | | tradition is over. If you have several kids |
| costumes, the ghost was one of the most | | | | to put in costumes this Halloween, you might |
| common costume themes for the Hallow's Eve | | | | want to make them last a while. And kids |
| evening out. The Jack O' Lantern comes from | | | | rarely want to put on the same costume they |
| Celtic lore about a hard drinking and stingy | | | | had last year, and they grow out of them too. |
| Irishman named Jack who met the devil in a | | | | |
| pub on Halloween. Jack was a tricky soul and | | | | Instead, you'll want to make the most of your |
| was about to fall prey to the devil after | | | | purchase by having something they can use |
| drinking too much. He made a deal with the | | | | again. Football uniforms with NFL football |
| devil by offering up his soul for one more | | | | team and College Football team logos and |
| drink. The devil had to change himself into a | | | | player numbers are a big thrill for boys. |
| coin so Jack could pay for that drink. But | | | | Some uniforms even come with shoulder pads |
| Jack just pocketed the coin in a sack that | | | | and plastic helmets. They're not for real |
| had a silver cross in it and the Devil | | | | contact football, but for the child to play |
| couldn't do a thing. Later, the Devil | | | | with Dad in the backyard or just dree up for |
| returned to collect Jack's soul while he was | | | | the living room. Dad will like having them |
| walking a country road in the Irish | | | | dressed up before the big game on Sunday and |
| countyside. The ever-tricky Jack asked the | | | | especially if they're going to an NFL or |
| Devil to climb a tree and pick an apple and | | | | College football game. |
| the Devil complied. When the Devil was in the | | | | |
| tree, Jack carved a cross in the tree so the | | | | Yes, Halloween is a fun time and you don't |
| Devil could not come back down. | | | | have to overdo it with the usual ghosts and |
| | | | goblin theme, or by buying the latest |
| When Jack finally died years later, he went | | | | expensive Hollywood promoted monster or |
| to heaven but was turned away because of all | | | | slasher character and related merchandise. |
| his drinking, tricking and miserable ways. | | | | The football costumes actually keep the |
| Even at the gates of hell, Jack was turned | | | | memories of Halloween alive longer. |