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Jeannie O'Grady Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #209607 Creative Mortgage Lenders, NMLS #247952 Phone: Cell/Text: (727) 542-7001 Fax: (727) 823-0687 License: 209607 Jeannie@CreativeMortgageLenders.com www.CreativeMortgageLenders.com |
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October 2009
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BOO! Don’t Be Scared! It’s Only Halloween! Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so you know what that means. From trick-or-treaters to costume parties, Americans will be celebrating in full force. Given the projected participation, this seems like the perfect time to pass along some helpful information, guaranteed to take the fright out of prepping for a big night. Halloween History There are many variations to the story of Halloween, but most historians agree that its origins date back to the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland. During that time, summer officially ended on October 31st. The Celts held an agricultural festival on this day and referred to it as "Samhain" (SOW-en), a word meaning "end of summer". They believed that during the evening of October 31st, the boundaries between the living and the dead became somewhat skewed. One account says the spirits of those who died the previous year would look for living bodies to inhabit in the upcoming year. This obviously didn't sit well with the living. In an effort to scare away the anxious spirits, ancient Celts would dress up like ghouls and parade noisily through town. The origins of the term, Halloween, can actually be found in Catholicism. In the year 835, Pope Gregory IV standardized November 1st as a day of observance in honor of saints, also known as All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day. In turn, the evening of October 31st became known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Hallow Even. The word, Halloween, is simply a corrupted contraction of these terms. Halloween came to the United States in the 1840s via Irish immigrants, but the arrival of trick-or-treating is much less clear. While it resembles many of the older European customs of ritual begging on Halloween, its inception within English speaking North America was not until the early 20th century. This leads many historians to believe that American trick-or-treating developed independently of any one culture. Halloween in the 21st Century Considering the popularity of Halloween, we feel it's a good idea to pass along information to help you plan a fun and safe evening for everyone. The following are some of our favorite sources on the Internet. Kaboose.com Costume Ideas for Adults Essortment.com PartyAmerica.com Boston.com Halloween from Home Keep It Clean Keep It Lit Keep It Safe Don't Forget the Dogs It's All In the Treat If taking the healthier route, we suggest you split the difference. Treats like yogurt covered raisins, caramel covered popcorn, and chocolate covered peanuts offer the sweet satisfaction of candy but do it with less sugar. Many of these treats now come in individual packages, perfect for Halloween. Another option is to not hand out food at all. Instead, offer packages of stickers, pencils, small plastic toys, action cards, or even coins. Don't Overbuy If you are new to your neighborhood, ask your neighbors about the foot traffic on your street prior to buying candy. Otherwise, take an educated guess, making sure to err on the side of "less is more". Hand out one candy to each child. If you still have a lot of candy by 8:00 pm, start giving 2 pieces to each child. Leftover candy only sounds like a good idea. Halloween on the Road Dinner Before Dessert Travel In Packs Safety First All parents should carry a cell phone and a flashlight, and wear a watch that can be read in the dark. Depending on the age or the number of children you're supervising, you may also want to consider carrying a shoulder pack with a few appropriate supplies. Prior to embarking, make sure your kids understand the rules of the road. 1. Stay with the pack and no running ahead. 2. Walk on the left hand side of the street in order to see oncoming traffic. 3. Obey all traffic signs and stop lights. 4. Stay away from any strange animals. Respect Your Neighbors Control the Candy Good Luck and Happy Halloween! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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