Halloween 2024 Unveiled: Origins, Traditions, Best Costumes & Must-Watch Scary Movies!

Halloween is the highlight of October, where both kids and adults love to dress up, scare each other, and collect heaps of candy. But do you know the origins of this pagan festival that has become a tradition for many? Dive into its history and discover our best ideas to entertain the little monsters before the big night of October 31!

What is the Real History of Halloween?

Historians agree that Halloween is a pagan folk festival derived from the religious celebration of Samhain, which is the Celtic New Year, dating back 2,500 years. Originally, the Gaelic term Samhain, sometimes interpreted as “end of summer,” marks the end of the light season and the beginning of the dark season, introducing the Time of Darkness. Winter is coming… On this night, the boundary between the world of the living and the beyond tends to blur, allowing ghosts and the living to mingle, for a few hours. A journey into the past for the deceased and a crossing through the looking glass for flesh and blood beings.

In France, the celebration of Halloween was driven by a marketing initiative. In the late 1990s, influenced by American TV series, France Telecom launched a mobile phone called Orange Olaween. Giants like Coca-Cola or Disneyland also played significant roles in promoting this kid-friendly holiday. Gradually, the celebration became popular, and more and more families, schools, and amusement parks joined in the fun.

What Does the Term Halloween Mean?

The meaning of the term Halloween comes from the English language. Halloween is a contraction of the phrase “All Hallows Eve” which translates to “the eve of All Saints’ Day”.

What are the Traditions of Halloween?

Trick or treat is the rallying cry of children. To buy peace and avoid pranks, adults must give out candy. To impress, it is customary for children to dress up in scary costumes. Carving pumpkins into the monstrous visage of Jack O’Lanterns is also a Halloween staple. This is believed to ward off evil spirits. For the enthusiasts, home decoration and tasting pumpkin soup are musts.

What Movies to Watch with the Family on Halloween?

Beyond collecting treats, both kids and adults enjoy a good scare by watching a Halloween movie. Here are some must-see films and some lesser-known ones worth watching with the family:

• The Addams Family
• A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
• The Haunted Mansion
• Goosebumps
• Hocus Pocus
• Little Vampire
• Gremlins (suitable for ages 11 and up)
• The House with a Clock in Its Walls
• Hotel Transylvania
• Corpse Bride
• Spirited Away
• Monster House
• Coco

Halloween Craft Activities to Do with Kids

Halloween is also about preparing with the kids, starting at a young age. On Hugo the Snail, find a plethora of DIY ideas for Halloween decor, learn to make your own costume or apply makeup, print invitation cards for all the classmates, or craft a candy basket! All the creative activities for Halloween can be found here:

What Costume to Wear for Halloween?

On October 31, dress up in your scariest Halloween costume! Popular choices often include costumes of witches, pumpkins, ghosts, or zombies, favored by both kids and adults. Whether purchased or homemade, Halloween costumes truly let you play the part and scare the neighbors while demanding candy or a trick!

How to Do Halloween Makeup?

Halloween makeup is the finishing touch to your costume! Whether you’ve chosen to be a zombie, skeleton, witch, or ghost, learn step-by-step how to do the corresponding makeup. Halloween makeup is increasingly popular on social media, so why not try a truly frightening look this year?

What Decorations for Halloween?

Adopt a spooky house decor with spider webs and pumpkins on the walls and furniture, lanterns and ghosts, as well as bat garlands! Here are our Halloween decor ideas to inspire you:

Creative Halloween Cake and Recipe Ideas

It’s not just about the candy on Halloween. You can also impress your guests with original recipes. Mini Halloween pizzas, witch finger cookies, broom-shaped gnocchi, monster bagels, spider cakes, or pumpkin pies… This year, go for visual trickery with surprising Halloween recipes!