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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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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

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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. 

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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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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.

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Don't Look
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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.

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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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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 😂

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Julie Harden
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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.

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Skara Brae
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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.

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Random person
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We were always the weird kids and made our costumes ourself. They were always the best imo

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Pheebs
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve been making my own since I was 10, and I generally keep pieces I can mix and match for other costumes. Anything I have one that’s specific I don’t plan to wear again, I either pass along to another family member, or donate so someone doesn’t have to spend a stupid amount of money the next year.

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~hUmMuS vIbEs~
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol every year I just pulled together something random from stuff I had in the back of my wardrobe and no one questioned it.

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Vivian Orr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The more unusual or excellent quality are rented. The ones you buy in Halloween stores aren’t made very well or from quality fabrics so they don’t last long. Although you can buy some top grade costumes or have them made special they tend towards the expensive side. My grandmother made all my costumes and my siblings for many years. I made my daughters costumes too. So if they’re good quality most kids will wear them for play over and over again.

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Sylvanticx
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this year im getting a costume that i can wear to conventions. last year i got stuff i can donate (happened to get it at a charity store too). also, they can be dress-up for small children.

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

rent, sew, buy.....keep them for future costume pieces, get crafty with them, give them away, lend them away, use them for cosplaying, give to a sibling...

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Emmie Jensen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom and me would always make my costumes. We'd raid the local thrift shop and craft away to our hearts content.

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Marie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Answer: A costume box. We all have one... just admit it.

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John Merline
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's possible to rent a costume but for me, 80% of the fun is making them and seeing other people's scary/funny/creative work. I haven't done it in years but I used to spend weeks making one (although it's also fun to scrounge something together at the last minute from whatever scraps/cardboard/paint/etc one has lying around. It's an opportunity to be childlike and play with the (usually) darker side of the imagination. And it's not just costumes: one particular neighborhood in the biggest town in our county is famous for neighbors building jaw-dropping sets in their yards--they block of the streets and it turns into a huge party with kids and adults milling around eager to find out what fun creepiness is waiting beyond the next hedge...:-)

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Dave P
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

have you seen the quality of a $10 costume? lucky if it lasts the night

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JD Lee
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m the same thing every year. A couch potato watching scary movies.

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Jane Alexander
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do 'y'all' think these questions have simple answers? Do 'y'all' think we're all of one mind? One culture? One stage of life? One income level? One lifestyle?

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Autumn
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You use them for dress- up! Or mix and match costume pieces. Or re-use them another year. Or donate them. Or turn them into a cosplay. It all depends on what you wear and the quality.

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Enby.Minecraft.Bee.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I buy them but i usually reuse them. My cats favorite sweater is made out of the hat from my old witch costume.

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Don't read my username
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, it's only Americans dress up? Huh, wtf? I like to get in a costume and I'm British. 🧐

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Nudge
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thrift mine and then use the individual pieces of clothing as normal clothes the rest of the year

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Bret Sander
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I make a new one every year. Of course I reuse elements from previous costumes, but I still have several storage cases full of previous year's costumes and props.

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Mona
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty creative when I make my costumes on Halloween. It's my favorite holiday.

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Angela Jester
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband's step sister has run a costume rental shop for almost 20 years. Halloween carries it through the rest of the year and make more than birthday and parade rentals of character costumes (think SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer) Easter bunny and Santa.

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Nicki
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a Hogwarts robe I wear every year (Hufflepuff), but this year I found the Squid Game track suit and yeah...it looked super comfy! So I will be a contestant this year 😉

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MotherofGuineaPigs
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would take my daughter after halloween and get her a bunch of dress up play clothes.

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

People do rent. People make their own costumes. Or you can buy. Usually you have a 'costume' box in the attic that they get thrown into after you're done, that you can resource later for other costumes. Or people donate them to thrift stores.

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Ozymandias73
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've used parts from older masks (hair, eye meshing, etc) to create new costumes.

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Mary Jeffries
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you’re adventurous like my family, you throw dress up parties. Some costumes are very poor quality but a lot of the thrift stores have great costumes that can be used for all kinds of things.

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

Just like cosplay and stuff, one of the reasons I don't do it yet is because you only wear them once

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Katchen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me, looking at an old photo of my husband wearing a cowboy costume at school: Was that Halloween? My husband: I hope so.

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kaycee14
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hand them down to younger siblings, swap with neighbors, sell at yard sales...

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Pilot Chick
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most store bought costumes are so cheap they barely last the night of Halloween. We also has costumes made by my grandmother as a kid and they been passed down to my nieces. Picking and costume and making it was always my favorite part of Halloween.

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Yort
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people just donate their costumes. We actually still have some costumes my mom made even though we don’t fit them anymore - my sister is 36 and one of the costumes we still have was made by mom FOR mom for my sister’s second Halloween.

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

I make mine from thrifted clothing and cardboard that would otherwise be recycled, along with some props that would fit more than one costume (like a sword).

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

a lot of the costumes are slightly more durable than toilet paper. Combine that with a young child running from house to house for candy... they don't last long

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Nudge
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh some people use the costumes again later for cosplay

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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.

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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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

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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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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.

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Nikki Sevven
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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...

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Cyndi Wrenn
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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

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Sara Rosen
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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.

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BoopBoop
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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.

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Stephanie Rohweder
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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

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NoneYa41
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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.

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Susan Rapacz
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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?

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NoneYa41
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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.

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