trick or treating

Discover the full story of Halloween from its ancient Irish roots in Samhain to modern-day celebrations. Explore traditions, trivia, costumes, and more with The Irish Jewelry Company.

Some traditional Halloween customs associated with Halloween include going trick-or-treating in spooky costumes, pumpkin carving, and going door to door for candy. Samhain is a Gaelic term that is pronounced: “SAH-win.” It was a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

On Halloween night children would dress up in scary Halloween costumes and go house to house. Phrases like "Help the Halloween Party" and "Trick or Treat" were the cries to be heard at each door. Halloween beliefs, customs, and costumes migrated with the first wave of Irish and Scottish immigrants that arrived in the United States in the 18th century. These immigrants came from Ireland and Scotland.