A Brief History of Trick-or-Treating

Ever wondered how ritual of trick-or-treating started? As with many things in our culture, its history dates back centuries, to the early middle ages.

Halloween can be traced back to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, typically celebrated from October 31 to November 1.

The Celts, who lived about 2,000 years ago, believed that during Samhain, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, allowing spirits to cross over. People would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off harmful spirits, and offerings of food and drink were left out to appease wandering souls.

In the Middle Ages, the practice of "souling" gained popularity in Europe. Souling was a medieval tradition observed on All Saints’ Day, November 1 and All Souls' Day, November 2. On these days, people, especially children and the poor, would go door-to-door offering prayers or songs for the deceased in exchange for "soul cakes." Soul cakes were small, round cakes marked with a cross on top and often flavored with spices and currants. Each cake given was believed to represent a soul being saved from purgatory.

Similarly, "guising" became a Halloween tradition in Scotland and Ireland. Guising is a Halloween tradition where children dress in costumes or "guises" and go door-to-door to perform a song, poem, joke, or trick in exchange for treats like sweets, coins, or fruit.

Unlike modern trick-or-treating, where candy is given without a performance, guising required children to earn their treats by showcasing a talent or entertaining the household in some way. The term "guising" comes from "disguising," as participants would wear costumes to conceal their identities.

When Irish and Scottish immigrants arrived in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought their Halloween customs, which gradually evolved into the familiar trick-or-treating we know today.

Trick-or-treating truly flourished in the United States after World War II. Before and during the war, Halloween was celebrated with parades, parties, and pranks. However, with sugar rationing in effect during the war, treats and candy were in short supply, making traditional trick-or-treating less feasible.

Once sugar rationing ended in the late 1940's, candy production resumed on a large scale, and companies began to heavily market candy as a Halloween treat. This coincided with the postwar baby boom and the growth of suburban neighborhoods, making door-to-door trick-or-treating easier and more appealing for families.

In the 2020s, trick-or-treating has adapted to modern concerns, with safety, inclusivity, and health becoming central to Halloween celebrations. During the Covid pandemic, families improvised by organizing “drive-thru” trick-or-treating events, placing treats at the end of driveways, or hosting virtual costume parties. Many of these alternative celebrations were so popular that they’ve continued in various forms, especially as families look for new ways to enjoy Halloween safely.

Awareness of food allergies has also brought about the “Teal Pumpkin Project,” which encourages households to offer non-food treats, like small toys or stickers, to make Halloween more inclusive for children with dietary restrictions. This effort has grown considerably, with many neighborhoods proudly displaying teal pumpkins to indicate allergy-friendly options.

Most recently, Halloween apps and neighborhood social media groups play a role in trick-or-treating. Families now use apps to map out houses that are open for trick-or-treating, keeping kids safe and ensuring they’re visiting homes that are participating.

All of these changes reflect a shift toward a more community-conscious and adaptable Halloween, where traditional door-to-door candy collection still thrives but is often complemented by modern, flexible alternatives.

So there it is. From Celtic festivals to social media and candy drive-thru's. This multi-thousand year tradition still thrives.

Happy Halloween!