Happy Halloween

How it started

People believed that All Hallows' Eve was when people who had died in the previous year would attempt to find bodies to possess. In a bid to scare them off, people would dress up in scary outfits. Over the centuries people believed less and less in the supernatural but still enjoyed dressing up. This started the tradition of fancy dress at Halloween.

In the 1840's, Halloween traditions were brought to America by Irish immigrants fleeing the country's potato famine.

Witches and wizards the American way

Halloween in America is a huge and costly event. $1.93 billion is spent on sweet sales, beating Easter, Valentine's day and Christmas. A further $1.5 billion is spent on costumes each year and more than $2.5 billion on other Halloween paraphernalia, such as decorations and crafts.

Everyone takes part, from toddlers to adults, most of whom dress up in costumes that can range from frighteningly gory to simple and cute.

Different traditions around the world

However, it seems the rest of the world is less keen to be so extravagant and many countries keep it part religious and part fun.

Across much of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain, the period from 30th October through to the 8th November is known as All Souls Week and Catholics attend church services in honour of the saints, the martyrs and those who have died for the Catholic faith.

The customs throughout much of the world reflect the original beliefs that the dead came back to earth on Hallowe'en. People in Germany put away their knives so they cannot hurt returning spirits, those in Japan place food and water in front of photos of their loved ones and light candles to guide their journey back to earth.

In the Philipines, candles are lit in memory of dead relatives and in Mexico, people picnic on their relatives' graves as it is a day of remembrance, happiness and celebration.

And it seems the Canadians have the best ideas. They place Jack-O' Lanterns in their windows to welcome trick-or-treaters. No lantern means stay away!

But it's in Ireland where you will find not only the beliefs that lead to some of the traditions but also the most family-orientated fun.

Apple bobbing, Barmbrack and happy toddlers

However, my scarecrow lanterns are not such a bad thing. Do we really want to spend the weeks following Halloween trying to convince our toddlers that monsters really don't exist?

Young children and babies do not need Hallowe'en but if you'd like to have some fun, take some ideas from the Emerald Isle.

Apple bobbing is great fun for adults and children alike. Float some apples in a bowl of water and try to get them out using only your mouth. Toddlers can eat the apples afterwards and will love playing with the water and soaking everyone.

Barmbrack is a traditional Irish fruit cake with a bit of a twist. Bits are added to it so that everyone who gets a slice gets a piece of fortune, be it good or bad. Traditional things that used to be added are; · A ring - meaning a marriage would occur · A pea - for prosperity · A bean - for a blessing · A rag - meaning poverty · A silver coin - for eternal riches · A matchstick - meaning death (well, it is Halloween)

Obviously, this sort of cake isn't really for young children who could choke but it can be adapted using fruit, for example. A chunk of apple could indicate a suprise, a segment of orange could be a good sleep. Or alternatively, let the adults find the fortune and the children enjoy the cake!

A survival guide for parents!

Whilst children excitedly start planning Halloween their parents thoughts turn to far more practical matters. Oxfordshire-based charity Parentline Plus recognises the potential stress parents face on the scariest night of the year. "Halloween has become a big event over the years" says Shirley Parker at Parentline Plus. "Parents want to have fun with their kids and ensure they are safe but it can also be a headache, especially as it is a school night - to get them into bed on time, make sure they don't annoy the neighbours and don't spend the weekly shopping budget on fangs and masks!"

Parentline Plus has compiled some top tips for parents by parents for surviving Halloween!

• Be prepared for pester power when out shopping. Supermarkets have loads on offer so set a budget or what you are going to get with the kids before you go. If you have time make things - there are loads of ideas on the internet.
• If you don't fancy them trick or treating find out what the alternatives are. Schools, libraries and websites will be advertising children's events and parties in local parks which are great fun.
• Have your own party! It doesn't have to cost the earth and you can put on games such as apple bobbing and best costume competitions.
• Set your own alarm clock of when they will stop eating sweets and when it's bed time so you can calm them and get them off to sleep at a reasonable time on a school night.
• To avoid your kids overloading on sugary sweets set ground rules beforehand, e.g. tell them they will not get any more sweets for the rest of the week and encourage them to ration them, or help them do this if they are young and encourage relatives and friends to mix sweets up with alternatives such as boxes of raisins or toffee apples.
• Help your kids understand that some people may be frightened or trying to get babies to sleep.
• Set a curfew and agree what area/streets/houses they can go to.
• To avoid scaring them, casually remind them not to go inside strangers' houses and to run and tell someone if they are worried about anything.
• Ensure you talk to them about the dangers of fireworks and encourage them to come home if they see anyone messing around with fireworks.

Fun not fright

The important thing to remember with Halloween is that children get scared and if you want to have fun do it in a way that won't frighten them.

Already the shops are full of masks and gory body parts which a busy mum will probably not even take much notice of but a toddler sitting in a pushchair will see everywhere he looks. If you want to avoid nightmares, try to avoid subjecting your toddler to too much gruesome stimulation. When you're out and about, keep him occupied with a favourite toy, book or even sweets.

If you want some fancy dress, keep it simple if babies are around and try to avoid masks which toddlers find very difficult to understand. Remember their ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality does not fully develop until around four or five years old.

If you want to dress your cherub up, and a lot of toddlers love fancy dress keep it traditional - fireman or policeman, ballerina or fairy - and avoid putting masks on babies or toddlers. They rarely like them.

Play it safe

Pumpkin Pain Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without your very own Jack o'lantern and what fun it is to carve shapes into your pumpkin and light the candle to create an eerie face with ghostly shadows however, burns and cuts can result - in adults and toddlers .Here's how to deal with bleeding and burns.

Come fly with me Witches and wizards love to fly around the midnight sky on their broomsticks but novice witches must be careful. Young witches often fall off their broomsticks and break bones. Follow this helpful advice for fractures and you'll be back on your broomstick in no time at all.

Trick or Treat Everyone loves going trick or treating and collecting all manner of yummy sweets and cakes. Hard boiled sweets can be a choking hazard, particularly for younger children who get over excited. Quick action can avoid a disaster and your tot can enjoy the rest of the evening .

Fright of your life There are lots of creepy ghosts and ghouls around on the most spine-chilling night of the year. Children out trick or treating dressed as Frankenstein and other ghoulish costumes, can be pretty scary to other kids as well as grown-ups! Find out how to treat heart attacks and fainting.