Remember how fun it was to go trick-or-treating as a kid? For me, that time was the early to mid 60s. Walking around in the dark not knowing who, or what, you’d meet on the street ... ghosts, witches, vampires, pumpkins, fairy tale and cartoon characters like Cinderella, Snow White, or a knight; Bugs Bunny, Bullwinkle ... and there were even a few clowns (insert shudder here). We had superheroes back then, too: Underdog, Batman, Robin and Superman. Costumes popular back then included nurses, ballerinas and brides. 

And the masks! The masks were fastened by an elastic band that went from ear to ear – and they were almost always too short so after about an hour or so ... Ouch! Followed by thoughts like, ‘Why can’t my mom sew costumes’ or ‘Why can’t we just use face paint?’ But most kids wore those masks that came with ready made costumes that were sold in boxes with a window to show off the mask. 

Another thing: We had to say trick-or-treat because most houses wouldn’t give you any candy if you just stood there, costume or no costume. I guess the attitude was, if you’re going to play, follow the rules. But I didn’t know anyone who didn’t say trick-or-treat with great volume and enthusiasm, except for the pee wees – 3 and 4 year olds – going around with their mom or dad. And, back then we used to get a lot of individual candy bags filled with treats – even home-baked cookies that we could actually eat. Some people handed out apples. When my daughters were young,  cookies and fruit couldn’t be eaten because of people putting razor blades or other dangerous things inside them. I just realized I was shaking my head ... adults really can ruin some of the fun of being a kid. And being a kid back then was sure different than being a kid when mine were little. Even more so now in my granddaughter’s time.

But I digress ... imagine!

I don’t remember what we used to hold the candy, except for pillowcases. Definitely pillowcases. And about that candy, I don’t know about your parents, but mine were very strict about when and how much candy could be eaten that night and every day after. Mostly it was kept in the freezer and my sister Paula and I could get one piece. Or we would have to agree on one because a lot of people gave out large Hershey’s and other candy bars. The popcorn balls were pretty bad – we threw those away! Getting popcorn balls was the equivalent of the rocks Charlie Brown collected in his tricks or treats bag. I imagine a lot of heads nodding affirmatively on that one!

My parents often went to Halloween parties; my dad might go as a gangster or pirate; my mom a gypsy or witch. It was fun to see them getting costumed and made up, Dad in his dark suit, fedora on his head, cigar in one hand, a short adult beverage in the other while waiting for Mom to finish getting ready, Mom in her big gold hoop earrings, skirt and peasant-type blouse; a scarf around her head, and bright red on her lips.

And then in the late 60s Dark Shadows hit the TV screen scene. And we loved it. Mom even watched it with us. Of course, we all fell for Barnabas Collins and the mystery and magic of the vampire and witch. Angelique was fabulous, and I distinctly remember having a crush on Quentin Collins as well! We learned about I-Ching, were fascinated by the ghosts, the rooms with passage back to another time ...  I wasn’t trick or treating anymore, but I was definitely interested in checking out more of what I had seen. This meant going to the library, not picking up a cell phone and visiting Google. 

And this brings me to the origin of Halloween customs: Samhain (sah-win), an ancient Celtic celebration, Samhain means “summer’s end.” This was the last harvest before the long winter months. It was also believed that the dead returned to the earth that night. The thinning of the veil between this world and the Otherworld also affected the Land of the Fey, fairies (not like Tinkerbell) who sometimes kidnapped humans and kept them there for years and years, maybe longer. So people wore animal skins to disguise themselves. 

Bonfires blazed and ancestors were remembered, sacrifices of meat and grain were made to the gods as thanks for a bountiful harvest. There’s so much more than one column could ever include about Samhain. But I can tell you fires still burn in many places here and around the world on Oct. 31, which is also a pagan’s New Year’s Eve. Sometimes the bonfire is used to burn away qualities or fears one might have that they wish to be rid of. These are written on strips of paper and dropped into the fire, the things to be banished turned to smoke rising from the flames that soon disappears. It is a night for feasting and drinking, dancing and laughter shared with loved ones. Speaking of feasting and remembering our family members now passed, many of us set out a dumb supper, a place setting at the table for them with some food. After the meal, the plate of food is set outside for those who have passed through the veil to walk with us that night. And, for the fey, a pretty bowl of milk and honey will do nicely. 

There’s something special about Halloween at any age. Make some new memories with family and friends this weekend. Keep those home fires burning.