The Halloween Handbook

by Morrow, Ed

• ISBN13: 9780806522272
• ISBN10: 0806522275
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Citadel

Summary

The avid pumpkin-head's encyclopedic guide to a horrifying Halloween Here is a complete examination of Halloween, from its roots in ancient Celtic fire rituals through its establishment in America by the Irish, right up to today's modern and politically correct celebrations, offering comparisons along the way to similar shivery holidays from other parts of the world, such as Mexico's Day of the Dead. Illustrated with the author's amusing and informative drawings, The Halloween Handbook is a must for every fan of this fabulous, fantastic holiday. Included are dozens of ideas for costumes, decorations, tasty treats, and more, such as instructions for making a haunted house, "brain gelatin, " and a life-size coffin.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Part I: Halloween History and Traditions
The Origins of Halloween	3	(19)
The Celts and Halloween	3	(8)
Roman Autumn Customs	11	(3)
The Christian Absorption of Pagan Practices and Holidays	14	(2)
Going A-Souling	16	(3)
Guy Fawkes Day	19	(3)
Halloween In America	22	(11)
Colonial Celebrations in America	22	(2)
Halloween in Post-Revolution America	24	(1)
The Irish and Halloween	25	(1)
Halloween in Nineteenth-Century America	26	(2)
Twentieth-Century Halloween Customs	28	(5)
Death Holidays Around The World	33	(8)
Mexico's Day of the Dead	33	(4)
Other Death Ceremonies in Various Cultures	37	(2)
Halloween Abroad	39	(2)
The Jack-O'-Lantern	41	(14)
The Legend of the Jack-O'-Lantern	42	(3)
The Pumpkin	45	(3)
Carving a Jack-O'-Lantern	48	(7)
Witches and Witchcraft	55	(48)
The Origins of Witchcraft	56	(10)
Dark Places in the Forest	66	(2)
Witch Hunts in Europe	68	(12)
Witches in America	80	(10)
Modern Witchcraft	90	(6)
Witchcraft in Other Cultures	96	(2)
Satanism	98	(5)
Ghosts	103	(37)
Early Ghost Tales	103	(3)
Types of Ghosts	106	(10)
Ghostbusting Traditions	116	(1)
Spiritualism	117	(8)
Haunted Places and Haunted Houses	125	(10)
Animal Ghosts	135	(1)
The Latest Theory	136	(1)
Do Ghosts Exist?	137	(3)
Creatures of the Night---Icons of Halloween	140	(21)
Bats	140	(4)
Black Cats	144	(5)
Skeletons	149	(2)
Spiders	151	(2)
Vampires	153	(4)
Werewolves	157	(4)
Part II: Celebrating Halloween
Halloween Costumes	161	(30)
Children's Costumes	161	(12)
Adult Costumes	173	(14)
Costume Cautions	187	(2)
Pet Costumes	189	(2)
Trick-Or-Treating	191	(8)
Treat Bags	191	(2)
Trick-or-Treating Cautions	193	(1)
Pet Cautions for Trick-or-Treating	194	(1)
Treats	195	(2)
Tricks	197	(2)
Setting The Scene For Halloween	199	(13)
Do-It-Yourself Decorations	199	(10)
Decorating Cautions	209	(3)
Bring Halloween To Your House and Yard	212	(22)
Outdoor Decorations	212	(7)
Haunted Houses	219	(12)
Haunted House Cautions	231	(3)
Halloween Foods	234	(13)
Snacks	235	(1)
Sweets	236	(8)
Beverages	244	(1)
Some Adult Beverages	245	(2)
Halloween Parties	247	(15)
Adult Parties	247	(2)
Children's Parties	249	(6)
Party Music	255	(2)
Party Invitations	257	(2)
Partying Cautions	259	(1)
Civic Celebrations	260	(2)
The Future of Halloween	262	(11)
Halloween's Changing Image	262	(11)
Index	273