Happy Halloween
Did you know that Halloween first started in Ireland? It was not celebrated the way it is today though.
Halloween began almost 2,000 years ago as part of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). Samhain was celebrated on the last day of October to mark the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter.
The cold winter often came with death and the Celtic people believed that on this night, ghosts of the dead returned to earth. People started dressing up as spirits and devils to avoid being taken away by the ghosts at the end of the night.
Trick or Treat
Did you know “Trick or Treating” started in Ireland too? It was called “Souling,” and children who were poor went door to door to sing songs and offer prayers for the dead. They then would be given a fruit filled flatbread that was called ‘soul cake.”
I don’t know about you, but I prefer the candy that is passed out today! The trick part was added in the early 20th century when a child would perform a trick if they did not get any treat.
Halloween in Ireland
Halloween in Ireland
Ireland celebrates Halloween with festivities and costume parties like we have in the United States, and even some pranks. People decorate their houses with vampires, witches and ghosts. They even have a Halloween tree, which is a black Christmas tree decked with creepy and gory creatures.
How do you celebrate Halloween? Did those traditions begin in Ireland too?
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs room temp
- 2/3 cup sour cream
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cloves with a whisk.
- In a separate bowl, mix canned pumpkin, eggs, and sour cream until thoroughly combined.
- Create a well in the dry ingredients and add the pumpkin mixture. Stir with a spatula just until combined.
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners (or grease very well) and divide the batter over 18 muffin wells.
- Bake for 28-31 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove the muffins and cool on a wire rack.
Literature Corner
THE MOST FRIGHTENING STORY EVER TOLD
By Philip Kerr
Billy Shivers is a shy boy without a lot of friends. He spends most of his days at the Hitchcock Public Library. When he hears about a competition to spend the night in the Haunted House of Books, he sets his mind to prove that he is the strongest boy in town!
The Haunted House of Books is a cross between a bookstore and a booby trap and its crabby owner only adds to the mystery. The frights of the store are nothing compared to the ghastly stories it holds. Can Billy stay the entire night and win the competition?
Note: Probably NOT a bedtime book! For ages 8-12, 322 pages.
NO SUCH THING
By Ella Bailey
Do you think there is no such thing as ghosts?Youmight change your mind after reading No Such Thing. Georgia starts noticing things moving or going missing around the house as Halloween gets closer. Georgia refuses to believe that ghosts are real and is determined to find the source of her missing items. Ages 3-7, 32 pages.
Lardie’s Laughs
Q: Why are ghosts bad liars?
A: Because you can see right through them!
Q: What runs around a haunted house and never stops?
A: A Fence!
Gab in Gaelic
Trick or treat! = Tabhair féirín dom nó buailfidh mé bob ort! (pron. tour ferr-een dum no booligg bob urt)
