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HALLOWEEN ARTICLES AND FACTS

 

 

Click here for the History of Halloween

History of Halloween
Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys

Websites You'll Want to "See"

Click here for Future Halloween Dates

On Which Day is a Future Halloween Date?
Click here for Healthy Halloween Treats

Healthy Halloween Treats
Click here for Healthy Halloween Treats

Theatrical Contact Lenses Safety Tips

Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys

What is a 4th Quality Bucky?

Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys

Featured Halloween Quote
Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys

Couples Costumes Ideas
Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys

Find Friday the 13th's

Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys

Halloween Tombstone Names
Click here to read about 4th Quality Buckys You Know You're a Hauntaholic When...

 

CURRENT MOON

 

History of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

 

The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives.

 

The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.

 

On Which Day is a Future Halloween Date?

  • Friday, October 31, 2008
    Saturday, October 31, 2009
    Sunday, October 31, 2010

  • Monday, October 31, 2011

  • Wednesday, October 31, 2012

  • Thursday, October 31, 2013

  • Friday, October 31, 2014

  • Saturday, October 31, 2015
    Monday, October 31, 2016

  • Tuesday, October 31, 2017

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Healthy Halloween Treats

  • * Mini juice boxes (100% juice of course)
  • * Individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or popcorn

  • * Mini dark chocolate candy with nuts

  • * Cheese and cracker packages

  • * Granola / cereal bars

    * Sugarless gum

    * Corn nuts

    * Cheese sticks or string cheese
    * Packages of sugar-free instant cocoa mix

    * Coins
    * Pop tarts
    * Temporary Tattoos

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Theatrical Contact Lenses Safety Tips

 

Want that great eerie look for your costume that theatrical contact lenses can give you? Who could blame you. Decorative contact lenses are now inexpensive enough to be a great addition to that image you’re after. However, remember that you are dealing with your eyesight, a precious commodity. When you start shopping, here’s some things that you should know to enjoy both your evening and your continued eye health.

 

Most people can wear decorative contact lenses (also known as plano or non-corrective lenses) but only your eye care professional can determine if they are suitable for you.

 

The FDA has classified all contact lenses – including decorative ones- as medical devices under FDA's regulatory authority. This was due to the serious risks associated with wearing theatrical lenses without the appropriate involvement of an eye-care professional.

 

Federal law mandates that all plano theatrical contact lenses require a person to see an eye care professional for an eye exam and to obtain a valid prescription before being able to purchase the lenses.

 

Follow all instructions for inserting, removing and caring for your lenses and they should continue to be safe and effective until they expire.  Eye infections can result from improper care.

 

Always wash your hands before handling your lenses.

 

Never use tap water on your lenses.

 

Do not wear theatrical contact lenses while driving a car or other motorized vehicle.

 

Don’t sleep with your lenses on. Corneal ulcers have been associated with this practice. Wear them only for the number of hours your eye care professional recommends.

 

Keep them in containers made for lenses and change the solution every 3 months when not in use. (Some lenses only have a 3 month life after opened so discard them upon expiration)

 

Never share your lenses with a friend. Sharing contact lenses prescribed for one person can lead to infections, abrasions, allergic reaction or blindness. Saving your eyesight is more important than saving a few dollars.

 

If you experience any unusual redness, blurriness, discomfort, excessive itching or pain, remove your lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional.

 

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What is a 4th Quality Bucky?

The generally accepted history of Buckys is that Anatomical Chart Company produced (and still produces) plastic educational adult-sized anatomically correct skeletons. They would occasionally produce some that had imperfections but realized that there may still be a market for them. In order to differentiate between the various skeletons available in their catalogs, the skeletons were given names and Budget Bucky was chosen for these defected skeletons. Because this skeleton became so popular in the haunt industry, the name quickly got shortened to Bucky.

ACC now sells a Budget Bucky and a 4th Quality Bucky as well. 4th Quality Buckys can have defects such as misshapen body parts, discoloration, be unfinished, or have missing hardware. You will not know what shortcoming is being shipped to you. They are great for haunters who want realistic detail in their skeletons without the need (and cost) of higher quality.

Information provided by my friends at HalloweenForum.com

 

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A Halloween quote to put you in the mood:

One need not be a chamber to be haunted;
One need not be a house;
The brain has corridors surpassing
Material place.
~ Emily Dickinson ~


 

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Couples Costumes Ideas

Adam and Eve

Aladdin and Jasmine

Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter

Alice in Wonderland and the Rabbit

Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh

Antony and Cleopatra

Ball and Chain

Bam Bam and Pebbles

Batman and Cat Woman

Bavarian couple

Betty & Barney Rubble

Biker dude and Biker Chick

Bonnie and Clyde

Boris and Natasha

Bowling Pin and Ball

Bride and Groom

Caesar and Cleopatra

Caveman and Woman

Cheerleader and Football Player

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Colonial couple

Cowboy and Cowgirl

Cowboy and Indian maiden

Danny and Sandy from "Grease"

Devil and Angel

Doctor and Nurse

Dorothy and Scarecrow/Cowardly Lion/ Tinman

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein

Fred and Wilma Flintstone

Frog and Princess

Gangster and Flapper

George and Martha Washington

Granny and Grandpa

Greek Couple

Gunslinger and Saloon girl

Hansel and Gretel

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth

Hot Dog and Mustard

Indian and Indian maiden

Island Couple

Ketchup bottle and Mustard bottle

King and Queen

King and Queen of Atlantis

King and Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland"

Knight and Princess

Lord and Lady ghosts

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Medieval King and Queen

Morticia and Gomez from "The Addams Family"

Musketeer and Lady

Napoleon and Josephine

Neptune and Mermaid

Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle

Pilgrim couple

Pimp and Ho

Pirate and Wench

Priest and Nun

Robin Hood and Maid Marion

Roman couple

Romeo and Juliet

Safari couple

Salt shaker and Pepper shaker

Samurai and Geisha

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler

Scottish Lad and Lassie

Sea Captain and Island Maiden

Sheik and Harem Dancer

Snow White and a Dwarf

Snow White and the Prince

Sonny and Cher

Southern Gentleman and Southern Belle

Superman and Wonder Woman

Tarzan and Jane

The Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood

Tweety and Sylvester

Uncle Sam and Miss Liberty

Vampire and Vampiress

 

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Find Friday the 13th's

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Halloween Tombstone Names

Abbie Normal

Al B. Bach

B.A. Ghoul

Barry A. Live

Barry D'Live

Barry M. Deep

Barry M. Goode

Barry R. Bones

Bea A. Wolfe

Ben Dover

Berry D. Hatchet

Bill M. Lader

Bonney V'oyage

C. U. Later

C.U. Again

Cal Q. Later

Casper DeGhost

Dawn Under

Dawn Under

Diane Rott

Doug M. Upp

Dr. Acula

Dr. Izzy Gone

E. Z. Doesit

Emma Ghost

Fester N. Rott

Frank N. Beans

Frank N. Stein

Hally Ween

Hammond Eggs

I. Helen Wheels

I. B. Ded

I. Emma Ghost

I. Emma Spook

L. Beback

M. Alive

M. Mortal

M. Wormfood

Ima Goner

Ima Rotten

Izzy Dead

Izzy Stillalive

 

Jack O. Lantern

Jack Olan Tern

Jen. U. Wine

Jess Gough

Justin Pieces

Justin Tyme

Kerry M. Off

Lea Ning

Lefty B. Hynde

M. T. Nest

M. T. Tomb

M.T. Box

Manny Bones

Mark A. Place

Mummy B. Ware

Myra Mains

Noah Pulse

O. Solow

Orson Buggy

Otto B. Alive

Pat T. Cake

R. U. Kidding

R. U. Next

R.I.P. Van Winkle

Ray N. Carnation

Reid N. Weep

Roman D. Earth

Russ T. Car

Seymore Spirits

Sue D'Bum

Ted E. Baer

Ted N. Buried

U. R. Gone

Will B. Back

Will Knott Rest

Will U. Joinme

Willy Rott

Yetta Nother

Your name here

Yul B. Next

Yule B. Heresoon

 

 

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YOU KNOW YOU'RE A HAUNTAHOLIC WHEN ...

you're pestered all year by kids who want to know what the theme for THIS year is.

you find yourself thinking that one corpse is more attractive than another.

you get more excited over a fog machine than a dirty movie.

you have more help at your haunt than necessary for an old-fashioned barn raising.

you have more than ten sound effect CD's.

you have names for the skeletons in your closet.

you play spooky music all year round.

you spend more on one Halloween than on your spouse's birthday, Christmas or anniversary.

you try to make Fido look like a hellhound every Halloween.

your neighbors avoid you a full month before Halloween.

your garage, basement and attic contain nothing but Halloween props.

the only candelabra you own is in a spider web motif.

there is a monster under your bed because your attic/basement/garage is full.

your electric bill higher in October than in December.

the family dog ignores masked individuals breaking into your house.

instead of giving your child a cat or dog, you give them a gargoyle to play with.

the guy at the paint counter at the hardware store sees you coming and starts stacking gallon cans of flat black on the counter.

you go to "Goth Night" at a local club, armed with a pocketful of "volunteer recruitment" flyers.

you can't watch a horror movie without jotting down ideas every two minutes.

you're nervous about taking rolls of film in to be developed, for fear the police might show up at your house looking for the corpses.

you have a room in your house reserved for special props/projects, and won't allow anyone in there because it'll "spoil the Halloween surprise!"

people refuse to walk into your house at night.

people refuse to walk into your house in broad daylight!

you have a customized license plate that has something to do with Halloween.

you start actually setting up your yard haunt in August...

you judge homes by how well a haunt could be set up in them.

your toddler's first words are "TRICK OR TREAT!"

it's not uncommon to see a "Barbie" doll hanging in a noose in you're daughters room.

your teenager wants his/her "own" coffin....

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Eyes of Halloween - Halloween Articles and Facts