Itsy Bitsy Etsy: This is Halloween

October 31st was said to be the night the spirits of the dead would come back looking to possess the living according to Irish lore. Masks were warn to trick the spirits into believing that the disguised individuals were spirits themselves. Trick or Treating originated from Hallomas, a holiday dating back as far as the 14th century. On October 31st, the night before All Saints Day (November 1st), the poor would go from door to door giving prayers to families and their lost one's souls in exchange for "soul cakes" or bread baked with currants.
1911 was the first year American and Canadian children went from door to door singing for candy. Canada first used the phrase "Trick or Treating" in the year 1927 and in the 1930's the phrase was published nation wide.
Now Halloween is the second most celebrated holiday, Christmas being the first. The amount of money spent on buying candy has hit $2 million dollars a year.
In 2004 the average American "Trick or Treater" nom'd approximately 25 pounds of candy, mainly found to be consumed around Halloween.

Halloween has to be my favorite holiday, and to honor this ghoulish day these shops from Etsy.com bring you their handmade spook decor and accessories. If any of these items sends chills down your spine, click on the link below the screen to see more of the artist's artwork.

Have a Happy Halloween!