The origins of the Halloween party can be found in the ancient festival of the Celts – Samhain – who 2000 years ago were celebrating the New Year on November 1st, with bonfires, parades, and costumes made out of bones and animal skins. This day marked the end of summer and the crop, and the beginning of winter, season associated with the arrival of death. The Celts believed that during the night between the years, the border between the world of the living and the world of the dead opened, and spirits of the dead returned on earth. Aside the damage and trouble caused, it was believed that these spirits were helping Druids – the Celtic priests – in their foreseeing rituals.

Celebration of superstitions, Samhain was adopted by the conquering nations of the Celts occupied territories, and in time it received influences from another two Roman festivals: Feralia – celebrating the dead and Pomona – celebrating the goddess of fruits and trees. Later on, after Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon to all the Christian martyrs on May 13 609 AC, and Pope Gregory III included the catholic martyrs in this celebration, the festivity date was moved on November 1st and got named All Saints Day.  Once the Christian influence grew in Celtic territories, Samhain became All Saint`s Eve, or All Hallow`s Eve in medieval language, and in time, Halloween.

The European immigrants took the tradition into the USA in the beginning of the XIX th century and currently the Halloween night is celebrated with parties that include: games, season`s food, festive costumes, ghost stories and pranks. Very little was preserved from the magical atmosphere of the Samhain, however, for those interested in recreating a more authentic Halloween night, we have some recommendations:

• Identify a location that allows for the organization of a bonfire, or one that is at least equipped with a large inside fireplace.
• Prepare tales that a good – and warned – storyteller may read around the bonfire or in front of the fireplace. Ideally, he or she would assume the role of the Druid, and would wear a costume inspired from those of Celtic priests.
• Decorate the yard and the rooms with candles filled pumpkins.
• Bring drums and simple musical instruments at the party. Find out from the start if there is an artist or somebody passionate about music among your guests. This guest will be able to coordinate a short “musical rite of passage”, initiative that will seem improvised at the right moment! Of course, only you and your “accomplice” will know these details.
• Organize games inspired from the Celtic and Roman festivals. We suggest: “Fishing for the apple”, “Bat Pinada”, “Suspended Donuts”, “Apples and flour”, etc.
• Prepare pumpkin dishes! Indeed, pumpkins can be cooked in a variety of dishes: soups, second courses, and…deserts. The baked pumpkin and the pumpkin tart shouldn`t be missing from the menu!
• Look for original drink recipes or… invent one! This way you will be able to present it as the house recipe or “the Halloween cocktail“. All your guests will be curious to taste a drink especially invented for them!

Therefore, organizing a Halloween party inspired by the ancient Celtic celebration is very easy to do, if we have a little imagination, help from a few “accomplices” and a lot of enthusiasm!

Happy Halloween or… trick or treat!