Halloween: Newer Traditions

This post focuses on Halloween as practiced in the United States and as influenced by European traditions. The term “commercial Halloween” is used to distinguish practices from religious observances that take place on or near Halloween.

Classic commercial Halloween traditions include parties, costumes, trick-or-treating, and jack-o-lanterns. There are newer traditions, too.

Ghost Tours

There are ghost tours year-round, especially at historic sites, but they tend to be promoted more around October and Halloween.

I was unable to find anything on the free internet about the history of ghost tours or when the first ghost tour was thought to have taken place. I was surprised. I thought this would have been a popular topic.

Haunted Hay Rides

Hay rides are popular at the pumpkin patch and other cool-weather diversions. Did you know that in October, these slightly boring, but nostalgic, rides turn into scary events? 

Apparently, haunted hayrides are like a mix between a normal hayride and a haunted walk.

Haunted Houses

It’s uncertain when or where the first haunted house event took place. In the United States, neighborhood haunted houses probably began in the 1930s as a way to keep boys from confusing vandalism with pranks. 

In the 21st century, there are still neighborhood and other events for younger children, as well as commercial haunted houses or trails. As people became harder to frighten, the haunted houses got scarier. Nowadays, one should carefully read the warnings of each haunted house and take them seriously when considering whether or not to participate.

Horror Movie Marathons

​Some people like being scared so much that they dedicate hours (days?) of their lives watching scary movie after gory movie. TV channels make this easy by filling their slots with frightening shows.

Pumpkin Chunkin’

Some people like finding ways to send pumpkins flying through the air and then watching them smash and splatter. All things considered, this is probably one of the least dangerous ways to make flying objects explode. 

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or treat probably started with church groups in the 1990s in an attempt to make the church appealing to people who didn't attend. 

The reasons for holding a trunk or treat vary.

• An alternative to Halloween for people who have religious objections to Halloween activities
• A way for a church to interact with people in the community who normally wouldn’t come onto church property
• A way to entice people to attend the more religious events held at the church during the trunk or treat
• A safer alternative to traditional trick or treating
• An easier way for very young children (and their parents) to trick or treat
• An additional activity for the Halloween season

These are a few less traditional Halloween activities that have become more popular in the 20th and 21st centuries. Sadly, the art of sitting around a fire and telling stories (scary or not) seems to have been lost outside of books and shows.

How’s that for a Halloween party idea? Light the fire (or candles if you don’t have a fireplace) and every guest has to tell one story.