Arabnews24.ca:Saturday 16 October 2021 09:38 AM: Halloween is one of Canada’s most anticipated holidays. Occurring every year on October 31, Canadians of all ages and backgrounds look forward to celebrating Halloween. This year Halloween 2021 will occur on Sunday, October 31.
As a newcomer, Halloween and all the traditions that come along with it might seem overwhelming. This is especially true if the country you came from does not celebrate Halloween. Not to worry! In this article, you will learn what Halloween is and the most common Halloween traditions.
What Is Halloween?
Halloween is the day that is widely associated with scary props and silly costumes. Halloween was first celebrated by the ancient celts living in Ireland almost 2,000 years ago. Since then, Halloween has evolved to become the holiday we know and love today.
The ancient Celts believed that October 31 was the only time of year when spirits from the underworld could enter the world of the living. These spirits were believed to be unfriendly to human beings and could bring the living back to the underworld. Because of this, people started dressing as spirits on the night of October 31 so that returning spirits won’t bring them any harm.
Around the late 1800s, immigrants brought Halloween to Canada. And over time, people started wearing funnier and less scary costumes for Halloween. Now, Halloween is viewed as a day to gather with family and friends and overall, have a great time. It has become an iconic holiday that Canada and many countries around the world celebrate.
However, some things make Halloween unique and set it apart from other holidays. Let’s take a look at the most popular Halloween traditions to get a better understanding of what Halloween is like in Canada.
Trick-Or-Treating for Halloween 2021!
Halloween in Canada can never be complete without trick-or-treating. That is partially the reason why Halloween felt incomplete last year. In 2020, Halloween just wasn’t the same because of COVID-19 restrictions. This year, however, Halloween 2021 will look a lot more closer to how it used to be before the pandemic.
First off, what is trick-or-treating? Trick-or-treating is a common tradition that starts around evening time on Halloween and continues all the way until midnight. During this time, children go door to door in their neighbourhood, wearing Halloween costumes and carrying baskets, hoping to receive treats. If a neighbour opens their door, the children yell, “Trick-or-Treat!”, and the neighbour gives each of the children a piece of candy.
Adults take this time to gather with friends and family and hand out candy to passing children. Some even like to dress up in costumes or set up scary props near the front door to give children a little fright before handing out candy.
If you’re passing out candy, you can fill a large bowl to hand out to any trick or treaters that come to your door. And a trip to the grocery store or even the dollar store is a good spot for you to pick up some affordable treats. But remember, to only give out candy that is in sealed packages. For hygiene and safety, it’s best to avoid giving out homemade or loose candy. Parents typically don’t let their children eat any candy that is not safely packaged. You should also inspect the treats that your child gets before you let them eat any, just to be on the safe side.
Trendy Decorations for Halloween 2021
It is impossible to miss Halloween in Canada. About a week before October 31, people start decorating the front of their homes. By the time Halloween comes around, decorations are a common sight in many neighbourhoods. For Halloween 2021 decor ideas for your home and yard, stores like Canadian Tire can help you create a spooky mood for your haunted house.
Jack o’ lanterns are one of the most iconic Halloween decorations. You also don’t need to buy them from a shop because they are very easy to make at home! A jack o’ lantern is a hollowed-out root vegetable, usually a pumpkin, that you can place a candle inside. People like to carve faces on the pumpkin to make it look scary or funny.
During the night, when the candle is lit inside the pumpkin, the jack o’ lantern will be just what it sounds like, a lantern. If you carve a face into the pumpkin, candlelight will go through the carvings, making a really cool effect. If you don’t want to go out and buy Halloween decorations, jack o’ lanterns are a great way to show your holiday spirit.
Common Halloween decor can be anything that looks spooky. Witches, ghosts, and skeletons are common decorations that you’ll see in people’s front yards.
Related Post:
Halloween 2020: Make it Spooktacular
Many people are wondering how Halloween might look this year. Last year, Halloween just wasn’t the same due to the COVID-19 restrictions put into place. This year, however, Halloween might start looking like how it used to before the pandemic. Of course, you should still follow basic precautions such as face masks and social distancing.
With vaccination rates rising, Canadians will be able to enjoy greater autonomy when it comes to COVID-19 precautions. Watch Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore as he provides tips for a safe Halloween 2021.
For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
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