Main Idea - Halloween

The Celts lived in Western Europe about two thousand years ago. They thought that the spirits of dead people came back to life on October 31st. The Celts put food and drinks to welcome the ghosts. They also lit bonfires, danced, and dressed in costumes.

• The Celts lived in Western Europe two thousand years ago.

• The Celts celebrated Halloween to welcome the dead people who came back to life.

• The Celts made food and drinks and lit bonfires, danced, and dressed in costumes about two thousand years ago.

People from Europe brought their Halloween traditions with them to America. They carved jack-o-lanterns out of pumpkins to keep evil spirits away. Children played tricks on others during Halloween.

• People from Europe brought their Halloween traditions with them to America.

• People from Europe carved jack-o-lanterns out of pumpkins to keep evil spirits away.

• Children played tricks on others during Halloween.

Children began the trick-or-treat tradition in the United States in the early 1900s. They went door-to-door and asked people to give them treats. In turn, the children would not play tricks. They called out, “Trick or treat?” as a playful joke.

• Children would not play tricks on people if they were given treats.

• Children went door-to-door and asked people to give them treats by calling out, “Trick or treat?”.

• Children began the trick-or-treat tradition in the United States in the early 1900s.

Most children celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes. They trick-or-treat in their neighborhood. Some kids collect money instead of candy. The money goes to help people in need.

• Some children collect money instead of candy.

• Most children celebrate Halloween by dressing in costumes and going trick-or-treating.

• Children who celebrate Halloween by collecting money often give it to people in need.

Halloween parties are also popular. One party activity is bobbing for apples. Another is dipping one's hands in monster brains. The "monster brains" are made of green gelatin.

• One party activity is bobbing for apples.

• Another party activity is dipping one's hands in "monster brains," which are made from green gelatin.

• Halloween parties are popular for activities such as "bobbing for apples" and dipping once hand in "monster brains."

Halloween customs often include the decoration of homes and foods. Some families decorate their homes by hanging ghosts made of tissue paper from trees. Others make scarecrows out of straw and clothing. Many people make cookies in the shapes of bats, cats, jack-o’-lanterns, and witches.