Northampton PA
2019

Decorating cookies with frosting began in the 1600s, when bakers used molds, a mixture of sugar and egg whites to top cakes; once cooled, the concoction looked just like ice. Today, the buttercream variety is very popular, and can be found on frosted cookies in every holiday shade.


Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.


Halloween originated as the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated around the time of the fall equinox and winter solstice. The holiday has evolved over the centuries from a pagan ritual to a day of parties, costumes, and trick-or-treating.

Samhain
The Celts celebrated Samhain to welcome the harvest and mark the beginning of winter. They believed that the barrier between the spirit and physical worlds was thin during Samhain, and that the souls of the dead would return to visit their homes. To ward off evil spirits, people would light bonfires, wear costumes, and sometimes set out their favorite foods for the dead.

All Saints Day
In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day to honor saints. The evening before All Saints Day became known as All Hallows Eve, and eventually Halloween.

Jack-o'-lanterns
The custom of carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns may have originated from the Irish and Scottish carving faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits. When the Irish and Scottish came to America, they found pumpkins, which were easier to carve and better than turnips.

Trick-or-treating
Before the mid-20th century, children received fruit, nuts, or coins instead of candy when trick-or-treating. Candy companies began creating small individually wrapped candies in the 1950s, and they became more popular in the 1970s.