The Halloweenthe holiday closely associated with the United States, has been rapidly gaining popularity in Greece in recent years. From a seasonal “accommodation” habit it has turned into a favorite occasion for funcreation and imagination, attracting young and old.
Halloween: After the “NO” celebration with witches and pumpkins, the reaction of the church to “P”
But how the festival of pumpkins, ghosts and masquerades became so popular in our country?
The origin and spread of Halloween
The Halloween it is celebrated on the night of October 31 in the countries mainly of the Anglo-Saxon world.
Halloween: What we celebrate on the scariest day of the year
The celebration has its roots in Scotland and Ireland, where the Celts celebrated the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, with the name Samhain, while at the same time the change of season was also a bridge between the upper world and the world of the dead.
Over the centuries, the custom traveled and took root in North America, where it was transformed from a dark pagan ceremony into a day of joy and masquerade, with merry pumpkin parades, masks and traditional trick-or-treating for children and adults.
Since the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, due to the American influence, the celebration of Halloween has also expanded to countries that have nothing to do with the Anglo-Saxon world.
The constant interaction of Greek culture with international trends, mainly through television and social media, brought Halloween to Greece, where it became particularly popular among young people who love disguises and the more… “dark” atmosphere.
Halloween: It started in America and England and at the beginning of the 21st century it has expanded to countries that have nothing to do with the Anglo-Saxon world.
Why Halloween “won” the Greeks
What makes Halloween attractive is the possibility of escaping from everyday life, in a slightly more …scary way. Not a few see Halloween as a pleasant and fun activity, with creative disguises and an opportunity for family or friendly gatherings in an atmosphere of mystery and adventure. Like Christmas and Easter, Halloween can be a way for friends to get together, share laughs and… some scary moments!
Younger generations are more familiar with foreign traditions and have incorporated holidays like Halloween into their habits. Social media has played a crucial role, as many participate in photo challenges, post their disguises or attend themed events and parties which are organized every year more and more.
In recent years, more and more stores in our country offer Halloween decorations and costumes, while many stores organize themed events on the occasion of the “foreign” celebration.
Of course, there are also critics of Halloween in our country, with many to they consider the celebration unrelated to the Greek tradition.
How to celebrate Halloween
There are dozens of ways to celebrate Halloween with friends and family. From themed parties and horror moviesto fun games and crafts, here are some creative ideas for today’s celebration:
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- Throw a Themed Horror Party
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Ask guests to dress up in scary costumes or creative disguises. Organize a competition for the most impressive or scariest appearance, with prizes such as sweets or small gifts.
To decorate the space, use pumpkins, fake spider webs and candles to set an atmospheric and mysterious tone to your space.
Create spooky cocktails with blood-stained ice cubes or serve “mini zombie” cookies in the shape of a skeleton. Make traditional sweets too, such as pumpkin-shaped doughnuts!
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- Viewing Horror Movies
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Get together with friends for a horror movie night. Start with classic films like Dracula or more modern ones like The Conjuring. You can also see cute children’s shows if younger children are involved, such as Hocus Pocus.
Set the mood, dim the lights, light candles, and fill the room with pillows and blankets to enjoy the spooky yet warm atmosphere.
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- Make handmade Pumpkins and decorations
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Pumpkin decorating is a classic Halloween activity that can be fun for everyone. Use markers, paints, or knives to create faces or designs.
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- The carved Jack-o’-lantern pumpkin
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An integral element of the celebration is the pumpkin
Another famous symbol of Halloween is the carved yellow pumpkin, which is emptied of the flesh so that only the outer shell remains, on which eyes, nose and mouth are carved. In the now empty pumpkin that looks like a head, they put small candles and wicks and turn it into a lantern. They decorate the pumpkin-lanterns inside and outside the house, in their yards, on the steps, in the garden, in the fireplace. They used to do the same with large turnips.
Carved pumpkins are also known as Jack-o’-lanterns. This is what they call apparitions, the strange plays of light, that one encounters in the English countryside, especially in marshy areas. But others say that this name is connected to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack (Stingy Jack), a drunken blacksmith who bargained with the Devil not to take his soul and since he was neither admitted to Heaven nor Hell, he was condemned to return to land forever with only a turnip lantern to light his way.
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- Organize a treasure hunt
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Hide scary items (eg mini pumpkins, candies) throughout the house or garden and give players a map to find them. At the end, the winner can win a bag full of candies, chocolates, or small Halloween souvenirs.
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- Make “scary” sweets and foods
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Make skeleton-shaped cookies or candy that looks like eyes. Use candy to create creepy cupcakes with themes from the world of Halloween.
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- Organize an Escape Room at home
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Create a mini escape room at home with atmospheric lighting and simple puzzles. Lock players in a room and give them little puzzles that lead to the exit, for an experience of mystery and horror.
Use recorded spooky sounds so participants can really feel the fear of the escape!
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Certainly! The text discusses the growing popularity of Halloween celebrations in Greece, alongside the criticisms surrounding this “foreign” holiday. Here’s a summary of how to celebrate Halloween with various activities:
### Ways to Celebrate Halloween
1. **Themed Horror Party**:
- Guests can wear scary costumes and participate in a competition for the best outfit with prizes like sweets or small gifts.
– Decorate the venue with pumpkins, spider webs, and candles.
– Serve spooky cocktails and themed treats like “mini zombie” cookies and pumpkin-shaped doughnuts.
2. **Horror Movie Night**:
– Gather friends for a night of classic and modern horror films. Suggestions include classic films like “Dracula” or family-friendly options like “Hocus Pocus.”
– Create an atmospheric setting with dim lighting, candles, and cozy pillows.
3. **Pumpkin and Decoration Crafts**:
– Engage in pumpkin decorating, allowing participants to use paints or knives to create designs.
– Carved pumpkins, known as Jack-o’-lanterns, can serve as lanterns when illuminated.
4. **Treasure Hunt**:
– Organize a treasure hunt by hiding Halloween-themed items around the house or garden. Provide maps to participants, with goodies as rewards for those who find them.
5. **Scary Sweets and Foods**:
– Prepare Halloween-themed treats like skeleton-shaped cookies or creepy cupcakes, using candy for decoration.
### Additional Information:
– Carving pumpkins is a significant tradition where they are hollowed out and lit with candles.
– The Jack-o’-lantern has roots in Irish legends, recounting tales of a figure named Stingy Jack.
This blend of fun, creativity, and spookiness can help make Halloween a memorable occasion for friends and family!