ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Image credits: City of Greeley

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. 

#2

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

nellymazz Report

Add photo comments
POST
mizadelem avatar
MizAdeleM
Community Member
2 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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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. 

ADVERTISEMENT

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. 

#7

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

omghirose Report

Add photo comments
POST
mizadelem avatar
MizAdeleM
Community Member
2 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.

belnorth-defender avatar
WritingSatyr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh that sounds exciting. Do you usually visit them during the year, like in the summer holidays?

Load More Replies...
kaching12 avatar
dontlook avatar
Don't Look
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is accurate. In fact, I would say that no place in China can compete with HK for Christmas... and I'm likely right. And HK used to be british....

tilly-carvey_1 avatar
Firefoxy3121
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer an Aussie Christmas, opening your presents on Christmas morning with your family before going for a swim if you're lucky, then having a big family party the next day. Cold Christmas just seems weird to me

mishimoqua avatar
Mishimoqua
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing beats a Puerto Rican Christmas! It starts on Thanksgiving and ends on the January 15th. There are gifts on Christmas day and 3 Kings day (January 6th). Delicious food, Coquitlam parties 🥳and lots of fun.

robertbaldwin avatar
SumoNinja
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with others that German's do Christmases far and away better than the British. Whether Brit xmas is superior to Canadian/US is debatable. Depends on where you are. Brits get a solid "pretty good" for their effort.

nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never have experienced a British Christmas. The fact that there are so many different regional specialities, Christmas in Vermont is different than in Texas, The Dakotas, Hawaii etc. Heck even California with its many ecological zones has different celebrations, from snow skiing during the day in the mountains and eating traditional Christmas food, to going into the desert festively decorated with dried red hot pepper garlands, to the valley where fresh Christmas Goose is less than two hours old, to the beach where people surf then eat salads to the North Coast where crab is on the menu

typeyourtexthere avatar
Twodogsandapicnictable
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about "winning", but when it comes to holidays Americans make a huge deal out of every excuse to decorate their yards and throw a party.

nlgill01 avatar
Rand0m_Cat
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait what? now I want to experience a British christmas.

sheapalmer18 avatar
Shea Taylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can vouch for this. True and true. I’m from Atlanta, Georgia now living in Liverpool, England. Christmas’ here are amazing. Plus it gets cold here. Absolutely hate summer weather for holidays.

leighm avatar
Dodo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

European Christmas markets beat British any day

dracodormiens15 avatar
bubbles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait I'm not trying to seem rude, I'm just genuinely curious--what makes a British Christmas better/different when compared to an American Christmas? I don't know anything about British Christmases, I'm not trying to offend I just don't know anything about it [:

darkdorkychick1778 avatar
chrissy goodman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

new york goes crazy on christmas even my friend who is british said so. however she said her way of christmas is better and i agree from the way she explained it. she was living with me for 2 years wen she left she said her absolute favorite holiday in america was halloween she loved how festive everyone was and that long island is so amazing nothing like her halloweens. she loved how store owners stayed after closing so kids can even get candy from the stores and the store fronts were decorated as well. i used to live in one of those towns where everyone was super friendly and had a ton of mom and pop businesses. i took her too the city the day before halloween she said my town did it better lol. her favorite was my friends house who turn their house into a haunted house every year and let trick or treaters explore the whole 3 story house and once they reach the back door her dad would scare u and give u candy. normally its for trick or treaters only but my friends parents make an except for family and friends so i got to show my friend her house and give her a haunted house experience. my friends house is much better then the ones u gotta pay to go to

fairydragon avatar
Luka Verheijen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every holiday is awesome and can look cool. But if you show up with a thanksgiving turkey hat, I don't want to talk to you...

hanssolp0727 avatar
ImHailey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's my dream to visit European countries one day during the Christmas season...

grantmffy avatar
Grant Barke
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Halloween is a celebration of Satan and all the bad it entails. While Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ and all that is good.

demdan avatar
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

VampireGhuleh Report

Add photo comments
POST
dontlook avatar
Don't Look
Community Member
2 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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

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. 

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

owlswifty Report

Add photo comments
POST
adinaisme avatar
AndThenICommented
Community Member
2 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 😂

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

Sean80165470 Report

Add photo comments
POST
julieoceans avatar
Julie Harden
Community Member
2 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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

callmebizniz Report

Add photo comments
POST
skara-brae avatar
Skara Brae
Community Member
2 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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

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.

#12

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

ultaini Report

Add photo comments
POST
saradagrape avatar
Lady of the Mountains
Community Member
2 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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

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!

#15

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

AislingFelly Report

Add photo comments
POST
sofacushionfort avatar
sofacushionfort
Community Member
2 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

MartinCAlonso Report

Add photo comments
POST
lunanik avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 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...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

theJoeGriffin Report

Add photo comments
POST
cyndiwrenn avatar
Cyndi Wrenn
Community Member
2 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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

Kele901 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

ccrashland Report

Add photo comments
POST
rosensara avatar
Sara Rosen
Community Member
2 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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

agreathamburger Report

Add photo comments
POST
daphnewilliams avatar
BoopBoop
Community Member
2 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

phairylights Report

Add photo comments
POST
swimgal_828 avatar
Stephanie Rohweder
Community Member
2 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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

oleivarrudi Report

Add photo comments
POST
jack_bonner80 avatar
NoneYa41
Community Member
2 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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

noahxeon Report

Add photo comments
POST
smrapacz avatar
Susan Rapacz
Community Member
2 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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Americans-Halloween-Twitter

FurryPhilosifer Report

Add photo comments
POST
jack_bonner80 avatar
NoneYa41
Community Member
2 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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 38 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.