Happy Halloween

Halloween is a widely celebrated holiday in the Northern hemisphere. It ties into the fall or autumn season with its colours of black and orange which symbolise the darkness of night and the colour of fire, autumn leaves and pumpkins.

The name of the holiday seems to have evolved over time from All Hallows Evening – meaning the night before All Hallows Day (All Saints Day) which falls on November 1^st.

Jack-o-lanterns were originally carved from turnips. The carved faces were placed in windows to ward off evil spirits. The carving of pumpkins for Halloween startedt in North America where pumpkins were more available and much larger– making them easier to carve than turnips. Other elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins, corn husks, and scarecrows are also common and homes are often decorated with these around Halloween.

Children dress up in costume and go from house to house trick or treating. Mostly treats are given but when it is not, it is customary for a trick to be played on the home owner or their property.

In New Zealand we enter spring at this time of the year. The association with Halloween is not as strong as it is in other countries. The main celebration of Halloween in New Zealand are costume parties.

At New Zealand Handmade we wanted to join the celebration and so have put together a few Halloween items from our Etsy shops. Click on any of them to go straight to the pages.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Joy (Kazzalblue)

PS Don't forget to take a look at our Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap and join in the fun here