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Sometimes people understand the word ‘culture’ in a very narrow sense. They may think that culture only includes art and very old traditions, but actually it also has a wider definition. It also encompasses the behavioral norms, the way we dress, the way we speak in different contexts and other aspects of our lives. 

We can say that the way we celebrate occasions also is a part of our culture. Festivities always attract the attention of people and it unites them even if they are from different cultures. However, we do not always understand why people in other places have certain traditions. For example, non-Americans have a lot of questions about Halloween because it is not that popular in places other than the USA and other people may view their dedication to the occasion as weird.

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Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31 and it is believed that it has pagan roots. The customs may be influenced by folk folk customs and beliefs from the Celtic-speaking countries. The theory that is the most popular says that the celebration comes from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain.

Like many other celebrations, it is believed that the Samhain festival was Christianized by the early Church but others claim that it may have been Christian from the start. It is difficult to say as it evolved through many centuries and nobody held records of these kinds of things. 

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MizAdeleM
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be a yes. I have my Halloween tree set up in the front hallway, and my headstones out front. Halloween-...e600c3.jpg Halloween-2003-6165a05e600c3.jpg

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The Samhain festival marked the end of the harvest season and it meant the beginning of winter, when more than half of the day was dark so it was also a mysterious time. It was believed that on the day of the transition the boundaries between this and the other world would be less defined. 

People believed that at this time spirits could enter their world and among gods, fairies and demons, their lost relatives could come to their home too. That is where all the treats come from as people would make a big dinner out of the harvest to make the spirits feel welcomed. 

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MizAdeleM
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will be celebrating my first British Christmas this year, when I travel to visit family in the UK.

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Don't Look
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This year would have failed you. The decorations everywhere are all gone, have been for a couple weeks. In fact, I would wager that black friday is going to be a s**t show considering that it's already been made public that merchandise is going to be short this year.

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The Christian influence can be seen in the tradition that many Church festivities would start the day before, on the vigil as Halloween is the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day on 1 November. That is where the name of Halloween actually comes from. 

If the pagans believed that the October 31 night is when spirits come to Earth in Christian tradition it is explained that on that day people should spend time honoring the saints and praying for the recently departed souls who have yet to reach Heaven. 

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AndThenICommented
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s some irony that the OP used the term “y’all” while calling the culture strange haha 😂

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Julie Harden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's quicker to say "the 4th", "Halloween", and "Christmas". For me, it's all about efficiency.

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Skara Brae
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few people rent costumes. Many purchase them, but they are such poor quality they may not last long. Some wear them again in subsequent years. People often make costumes from old, used clothing, or sometimes by sewing.

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Halloween didn’t become widely celebrated in North America until the 19th century when Irish and Scottish mass immigrated to the continent. Over time it evolved to this huge holiday that we see now and its influence can be felt all over the world.

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Even though it was commercialized in modern times Halloween is not a superficial festivity without no meaning and created just for fun. It has some meaning to it and it has analogues in other countries too when the dead are honored and in some countries people will just light a candle, go to church or cemetery and in others they will celebrate this occasion with more bang and pizzazz.

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Lady of the Mountains
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

think...sweetened condensed milk? but in the texture of wax? meh, if you're european you probably wont like it

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There is actually more to Halloween than just a couple of paragraphs can contain so if you want to know more about its roots, researching it can actually reveal very interesting knowledge that you wouldn’t think to find. 

But there are things that only Americans can answer about how they celebrate it, why they feel it became such a big holiday and do they really need all those decorations. If there are any Americans reading this list with all the questions, the rest of the world would really want to know the answers so please write them in the comments! Also, don’t forget to upvote the questions that you would like to be answered the most!

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sofacushionfort
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, one of the holiday rituals is “demonstrate a psychological theory.” Most people chose the Tragedy of the Commons. Me, I’d think the Milgram Experiment more in keeping with the spirit of the holiday, but my lawyer pointed to its complications.

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Nikki Sevven
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family carves pumpkins every Halloween...and decorates cookies for Christmas, and dyes eggs for Easter...

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Cyndi Wrenn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We dress up and have a contest for different categories of costumes

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Sara Rosen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Why is it ok to decorate for Christmas but not Halloween? You do your things but Imma get me some ghouls for MY garden.

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BoopBoop
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the only holiday we have that doesn't come with some kind of baggage. It's literally just for fun, and also to scare away the spirits walking abroad that might steal our souls.

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Stephanie Rohweder
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best seasonal store ever. It's like Halloween Santa. Only shows up once a year and you never see it until spooky season

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NoneYa41
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the big ones that are carved aren't eating pumpkins. Just like there is 'field' corn that's used for animal feed and corn products which is not the corn you buy at the market to eat.

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Susan Rapacz
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do you think we get our costumes and skeletons and witches and giant rubber rats and fake spider webs and coffins and monsters?

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NoneYa41
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the same reason people think Christmas is 2 months...media and marketing.

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Susan Rapacz
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because Halloween decorations are in the stores right after Labor Day.

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NoneYa41
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so...just like other holidays around the world that aren't religious you mean?

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Rebecca Olds
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the time, it's because stores and some people like to get christmas started earlier and earlier so those who enjoy halloween tend to take time from the only avaliable source the month before.

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Bobby
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that the french translation of "this is Halloween" from nightmare before xmas?

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DE Ray
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're not going to mention the French and cabbages? Or Greeks and olives? We ain't the only ones weirdly obsessed.

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