halloween vs christmas essay

What’s Better Halloween or Christmas

This essay will present a comparative analysis of Halloween and Christmas, focusing on their cultural significance, traditions, and personal appeal. It will explore the origins of both holidays, their evolution over time, and how they are celebrated in different parts of the world. The piece will consider aspects like the festive atmosphere, family gatherings, and the unique customs associated with each holiday, offering a lighthearted take on which holiday might be considered “better.” More free essay examples are accessible at PapersOwl about Christmas.

How it works

The most wonderful thing about people is that we have different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles in different countries around the world. That is the reason holidays exist; as marks in history to be remembered. Holidays are essential and fun because they allow people to take breaks from busy, mundane day-to-day life duties, spend time with family or friends, or just to celebrate culture and life. Some of the most common and widely-known holidays are Halloween and Christmas.

One celebrates spooky adventures, ghost stories, costumes, the season of fall, and everyone’s favorite way of getting candy, Trick or Treating! The other celebrates and resembles spirituality, love, gifts, family, religion, and winter.

Both holidays are amusing and significant, depending on the person and their beliefs. However, Christmas is better than Halloween because it is more popular, exciting with various festivities, and is more meaningful. Overall, Christmas is one of the biggest events of the year that harmonizes society, ending the year in a magnificent way.

First of all, Christmas is a more popular worldwide holiday, compared to Halloween. For example, according to Statista.com, in 2018, about 70% of people in the U.S. were to celebrate Halloween, whereas about 90% of people in the U.S. are to celebrate Christmas. Furthermore, Christmas is celebrated in more than 160 countries, but Halloween is mainly only celebrated in countries such as the U.S. or Canada. Being more popular means that more people know about that culture and can relate or connect with other people all over the world. Since Halloween is only celebrated in a few places, not many people care about it as much as Christmas. Therefore, Christmas is superior to Halloween because of its popularity worldwide.

Secondly, Christmas decorations and activities are much more astonishing. For instance, the many decorations such as colorful lights, christmas trees, jingle bells, Santa, etc., light up the atmosphere for everyone. Although Halloween has some decorations including ghosts, creepy clowns, spiderwebs, graveyards, etc., they do not cheer people up or have much variety. In addition, there are many Christmas movies such as, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, “Home Alone”, “The Nightmare before Christmas”, but Halloween does not have several of its own movies. It just has a few horror movies to scare viewers, not showcasing the tradition of Halloween itself. Also, there aren’t Halloween songs, but there are so many Christmas songs, as evident by popular radio stations that play festive songs during the month of December. Because there are many more festivities for this time of year, Christmas is a better holiday than Halloween.

Lastly, the meaning of Christmas has always stayed true to itself. Although more people of religions or backgrounds other than Christianity are celebrating Christmas, it is commonly known as the holiday rejoicing the birth of Jesus (even though it is not His actual birthday), according to Britannica.com. However, Halloween cannot be pinned down to one purpose. Some celebrate it to remember the dead, some call it the “devil’s holiday”, and others just want to dress up in all sorts of costumes. In other words, Christmas is a wholesome holiday where it is reasonable to take a break and receive presents, while Halloween is a minor holiday that does not last very long or have a great impact on people’s lives. Therefore, Christmas is superior to Halloween because it has more meaning and purpose.

In conclusion, Christmas is better than Halloween because it is one of the main and biggest events of the year. First of all, it is a worldwide holiday that uses its popularity to bring people together. Also, it has many more fun activities and decorations than Halloween. Lastly, it is more meaningful because there is a clear story behind it. In the end, the main reason for anyone to dislike Christmas is the complaint of it being too much stress, but I say that, based on annual results, all that hard work always seems to pay off in the form of happiness. Also, it is said to be, “the most wonderful time of the year.” So, now it is up to the people to decide if they should spend their time watching scary movies in silly costumes eating candy next year, or setting up lights on Christmas trees while sipping hot cocoa to bring a little cheer and magic in their lives!

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Halloween Versus Christmas Essay Sample

Halloween and Christmas are two of the most popular holidays in America. People decorate their homes, wear costumes, and hand out candy on Halloween while Christmas is a time for family to come together. This essay will explore how Halloween compares to Christmas from various perspectives including religion, food, celebration, and traditions/beliefs.

Sample essay on Halloween Vs Christmas is given here which is written by the assignment experts of Students Assignment Help for helping those who do not have the idea about the way of writing an essay. You can write all types of essays when the sample is there with you to guide you at every step and moment of difficulty. The school essay on Halloween Vs Christmas can also be written by reading this sample.

Essay Example of Halloween Versus Christmas

• Introduction of Halloween Versus Christmas Essay
• Comparison between Halloween Versus Christmas
• The Popularity of Halloween versus Christmas in America
• Why do people like to celebrate Halloween more than Christmas?

Introduction of Halloween Versus Christmas Essay Christmas and Halloween both the festivals are celebrated across the globe with deep enthusiasm and people spend a lot of money to buy gifts, candies, and dresses on both the occasion. But when it comes to comparing them with each other it is a very tough deed for anyone because they both are having different meanings and believes behind their celebration which can be subjected to a comparison to each other. While Christmas is an eve of celebrating the birth of Lord Jesus on this day which is known for many important and holy deeds in Christianity, we can consider Halloween as a way of celebrating an occasion by haunting people through different costumes and collecting candies from them as well. Main Body of Halloween Versus Christmas Essay Comparison between Halloween Versus Christmas Halloween is celebrated across the world among people by putting on scary themes and dresses. The real purpose behind this celebration is traced to the new year on November 1 in some calendars where all the spirits who are to be taken away on the previous night of 31st October create a scary atmosphere and that is why the celebration of this day is continuously going on. Halloween is not just festive for the kids but at the same time, adults and aged people also impart their part of the job in this occasion by celebrating it in a little different way by dressing up them in different horrifying themes. Christmas which is an eve of enjoying and marry making for the birth comes with a little serious note where exchange of the gifts to each other and such other activities takes place. If we think of both the occasions, it is very hard to distinguish the one which is best out of them as both Halloween and Christmas are having their own role in the lives of people which brim them with joy. If you find Christmas as most popular even more popular than Halloween as the base to make it the best out of two festivals then it could be wrong to do that because Halloween gives the freedom to people especially kids to dress up in the costume of their choice and it is a sort of freedom to their soul at this very day which cannot be compared to any other thing on this earth. We all have the idea about the popular philosophy that children are closest to nature and God and they are a replica of God and if God is happy with Halloween in the form of kids then it is not good to say the Halloween is having a little bit low sheen than Christmas. Serious care must be given before reaching a conclusion about the basic comparison of the things between both Halloween and Christmas as well. Some people have a notion that Christmas is celebrated with grand pleasure among the people as compared to Halloween owing to its roots with Jesus Christ. On the other hand, Halloween is a celebration of mere a myth that is picked up from someone else’s idea. Even many people do not want to celebrate this occasion which traces its roots from somewhere else. But we cannot give our inferences based on such statements as this is an inseparable part of the lives of kids and adults in the United States and other Christian countries as well. Buy Customized Essay on Halloween Versus Christmas At Cheapest Price Order Now Now the entire meaning of Halloween for the children and their parents is limited to putting on new dresses and gathering candies only. So we cannot ignore such enjoyment which is done by the people on this eve just on the statements given by some random souls and minds. It is always good to live in the present situations rather than keep on worrying about the previous one. That is why we cannot draw a hard line in the comparison of both Christmas and Halloween. No doubt Christmas is the most celebrated festival among all age groups but we cannot ignore Halloween and its importance as well. So the conclusion of the essay can be thrown in such a way that both Halloween and Christmas have their own place in the heart of people and we cannot subject their emotions to a level where they get hurt by specifying a certain event as popular or good on comparing to other. The only thing that could be done to resist such comparison is to understand the emotions of those people who put their heart and soul into work throughout the year to manage the money for these two festivals so that their children can enjoy. It is a refreshment period which comes at the end of the year every time to give a thing of beauty to stay connected to the earth as mentioned by John Keats in his popular poem. The Popularity of Halloween versus Christmas in America One of the most obvious differences between Halloween and Christmas is the number of people who celebrate each holiday. The first point that one might notice is that more Americans celebrate Christmas than any other holiday throughout the year with a whopping 70% of all children, teens, and adults celebrating on December 25th each year (Harris Interactive). In contrast, only 54% report going trick-or-treating on Halloween night as children (Harris Interactive), further suggesting that more Americans celebrate Christmas than Halloween. There are many reasons why there are so many more people celebrating Christmas in America compared to holidays like Halloween or even Thanksgiving. Get Non-Plagiarized Custom Essay on Halloween Versus Christmas in USA Order Now Why do people like to celebrate Halloween more than Christmas? While there are many reasons why Halloween is celebrated in America more than Christmas or Thanksgiving, one of the most popular explanations has to do with how these holidays make people feel. It’s no secret that more Americans celebrate Halloween than almost any other holiday since they will either dress up themselves or hand out candy to trick-or-treaters (Halloween Facts). By contrast, it may seem strange that fewer Americans celebrate Christmas because it has more facts associated with it. For example, the earliest documented celebration of Santa Claus took place on December 6th in the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam which is now known as New York City (Unmuseum). Since then Santa Claus has become an integral part of Christmas celebrations in America during which people play different games such as “pin the tail on the donkey” and receive gifts from Santa Claus (Unmuseum). In general, Christmas is all about playing games and giving gifts which makes people feel happy because they get to spend time with their family or loved ones exchanging presents. Conclusion This essay has shown that the difference between Halloween and Christmas is a matter of perspective. The differences are based on what you think life’s meaning or purpose might be, as well as your personal values. It’s up to you which holiday will have more significance for you in the future. Ultimately, the holiday traditions that are most important to you will be what makes your season magical. Whether it’s Halloween or Christmas, if you put in the effort and enjoy yourself with friends and family, then whatever day of the year is best for you will feel like a time full of cheer. It’s up to each individual person to decide which holidays they find meaningful–and there are plenty out there! Hire USA Experts for Halloween Versus Christmas Essay Order Now

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The above-written essay has examined the differences between Halloween and Christmas. They are both important holidays for many people around the world but have different meanings to their respective religions.

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Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas

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Halloween: A Tapestry of Cultural Traditions

Christmas: A Fusion of Faith and Festivity

Comparative analysis: unveiling connections and disparities.

Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas. (2016, Apr 01). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/halloween-christmas-similar-or-different-essay

"Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas." StudyMoose , 1 Apr 2016, https://studymoose.com/halloween-christmas-similar-or-different-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/halloween-christmas-similar-or-different-essay [Accessed: 7 Sep. 2024]

"Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas." StudyMoose, Apr 01, 2016. Accessed September 7, 2024. https://studymoose.com/halloween-christmas-similar-or-different-essay

"Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas," StudyMoose , 01-Apr-2016. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/halloween-christmas-similar-or-different-essay. [Accessed: 7-Sep-2024]

StudyMoose. (2016). Comparison Between Halloween and Christmas . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/halloween-christmas-similar-or-different-essay [Accessed: 7-Sep-2024]

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Halloween vs. Christmas: Why Spooky Beats Jolly

Explore why Halloween is better than Christmas with our fun and enthusiastic comparison. Discover the unique charms of Halloween over Christmas in this in-depth article.

When it comes to holiday celebrations, two giants stand out: Halloween and Christmas. Both holidays have their own unique charm, traditions, and fan base. However, there’s an ongoing debate about which is superior. While Christmas has its jolly cheer, there are compelling reasons why Halloween stands out. In this article, we dive into the comparison of Halloween vs. Christmas and uncover why the spooky allure of Halloween trumps the festive joy of Christmas.

The Origins of Halloween and Christmas

The history of halloween.

Halloween’s roots trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Celebrated over 2,000 years ago, Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. They wore costumes and lit bonfires to ward off these roaming ghosts. This tradition evolved over the centuries, incorporating influences from Roman festivals and Christian traditions, ultimately becoming the Halloween we know today.

The History of Christmas

Christmas, celebrated on December 25th, marks the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday has its roots in both Christian and pagan traditions. The date was chosen to coincide with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, a time of feasting and gift-giving. Over time, Christmas adopted various customs from different cultures, including the Germanic Yule and the Scandinavian festival of light, leading to the festive celebrations we now associate with Christmas.

Halloween vs. Christmas: A Cultural Phenomenon

Halloween: a celebration of creativity.

One of the most appealing aspects of Halloween is the opportunity for creativity. From elaborate costumes to intricately carved pumpkins, Halloween allows individuals to express themselves in ways Christmas does not. The holiday encourages people to step out of their everyday personas and embrace a different character, whether spooky, funny, or fantastical. This creative freedom is a significant reason why Halloween is better than Christmas for many people.

Christmas: Tradition and Consistency

Christmas, on the other hand, is steeped in tradition. While there is a comforting aspect to the consistency of Christmas celebrations, it can also become monotonous. The same songs, decorations, and activities are repeated year after year, leaving little room for innovation. In contrast, Halloween’s ever-evolving themes and trends keep the holiday fresh and exciting.

The Appeal of Costumes

Halloween costumes: unleashing imagination.

The costume aspect of Halloween is a major draw for people of all ages. Children and adults alike enjoy dressing up as their favorite characters, mythical creatures, or anything their imagination conjures. The effort and creativity put into Halloween costumes often result in impressive displays that are a joy to see. Costume contests, themed parties, and trick-or-treating amplify this aspect, making Halloween a holiday where creativity knows no bounds.

Christmas Outfits: Limited by Tradition

Christmas also has its traditional outfits, but they lack the variety and excitement of Halloween costumes. Santa suits, elf outfits, and ugly Christmas sweaters are fun, but they don’t offer the same level of creative expression. This limitation makes Halloween a more dynamic and engaging holiday in terms of dress-up.

The Festivities: Parties and Gatherings

Halloween parties: spooky and fun.

Halloween parties are renowned for their unique themes and activities. From haunted houses to horror movie marathons, Halloween gatherings offer a variety of experiences that cater to diverse tastes. The spooky ambiance, complete with eerie decorations and themed food, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. Whether you enjoy the thrill of a scare or the humor of a well-executed costume, Halloween parties have something for everyone.

Christmas Parties: Warm but Predictable

Christmas parties, while warm and festive, often follow a predictable pattern. There’s usually a family dinner, caroling, and gift exchanges. While these traditions are cherished, they don’t provide the same level of excitement and variety as Halloween festivities. The predictability can sometimes make Christmas gatherings feel less dynamic compared to the vibrant and varied celebrations of Halloween.

Decorations: Transforming Spaces

Halloween decorations: eerie and elaborate.

Halloween decorations are a spectacle in themselves. From haunted houses to spooky graveyards, the effort people put into transforming their homes and yards is astounding. Cobwebs, skeletons, jack-o’-lanterns, and ghostly figures create an immersive experience that is both fun and frightful. The communal effort to decorate for Halloween often results in neighborhoods that become thrilling landscapes of creativity and spookiness.

Christmas Decorations: Beautiful but Repetitive

Christmas decorations are undoubtedly beautiful, with twinkling lights, nativity scenes, and decorated trees bringing warmth and cheer. However, they tend to be more uniform and less inventive than Halloween decorations. The emphasis on traditional elements means there’s less room for the unique and unexpected, which Halloween decorations excel at providing.

The Food: Sweet vs. Savory

Halloween treats: a sweet delight.

Halloween is synonymous with candy and sweets. Trick-or-treating is a beloved tradition where children collect an assortment of candies, chocolates, and other treats. The sheer variety of Halloween-themed snacks, from candy corn to caramel apples, is a delight for the taste buds. This indulgence in sweets is a major reason why Halloween over Christmas is preferred by those with a sweet tooth.

Christmas Cuisine: Hearty and Traditional

Christmas cuisine focuses on hearty, traditional meals. Roast turkey, ham, stuffing, and pies are staples of the Christmas dinner table. While these dishes are delicious and comforting, they don’t offer the same playful and indulgent variety as Halloween treats. The focus on savory over sweet can make Christmas feel more like a formal feast than a fun-filled celebration.

The Atmosphere: Spooky vs. Jolly

Halloween: the thrill of the spook.

The atmosphere of Halloween is unmatched. The thrill of the spooky, the eerie glow of jack-o’-lanterns, and the anticipation of a good scare create a unique excitement. The playful fear associated with Halloween is exhilarating and brings people together in a shared experience of fun and fright. This thrilling atmosphere is a significant factor in why Halloween is better than Christmas for many enthusiasts.

Christmas: Comforting but Predictable

Christmas atmosphere is warm, comforting, and filled with joy. The twinkling lights, festive music, and sense of togetherness are heartwarming. However, this comfort can sometimes lead to predictability. While Christmas is certainly joyous, it doesn’t offer the same adrenaline rush and sense of adventure that Halloween provides.

Inclusivity and Participation

Halloween: a holiday for all.

One of the great strengths of Halloween is its inclusivity. Regardless of age, background, or beliefs, anyone can participate in Halloween festivities. The holiday is not tied to any particular religion or tradition, making it accessible to a wide audience. This inclusivity fosters a sense of community and togetherness, as people of all walks of life come together to celebrate.

Christmas: Tradition Bound

While Christmas is widely celebrated, it is inherently tied to Christian traditions . This religious association can sometimes make it less inclusive for people of different faiths or those who do not celebrate religious holidays. Although many non-religious people also celebrate Christmas, the holiday’s roots in Christianity can limit its universal appeal.

Halloween vs. Christmas: The Verdict

Why halloween wins.

When comparing Halloween vs. Christmas, the reasons why Halloween is better than Christmas become clear. Halloween’s emphasis on creativity, inclusivity, and variety make it a more dynamic and exciting holiday. The freedom to dress up, the thrill of the spooky atmosphere, and the indulgence in sweets provide a unique celebration that stands out from the predictable traditions of Christmas. While Christmas has its cherished customs and warmth, Halloween’s ability to evolve and engage people of all ages and backgrounds gives it an edge in the holiday showdown.

Halloween Traditions Around the World

Dia de los muertos: mexico.

In Mexico, Halloween coincides with Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This multi-day holiday honors deceased loved ones with altars, marigold flowers, and sugar skulls. The vibrant celebrations blend indigenous and Catholic traditions, creating a unique and colorful tribute to the departed.

Samhain: Ireland and Scotland

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain in Ireland and Scotland. Modern celebrations still include bonfires, costumes, and divination games. The ancient roots of Samhain add a rich historical context to Halloween celebrations in these regions.

Christmas Traditions Around the World

Jul: scandinavia.

In Scandinavia, Christmas is known as Jul. Traditions include the Yule Goat, St. Lucia’s Day, and festive feasts. The emphasis on light during the dark winter months is a hallmark of Scandinavian Christmas celebrations.

Nochebuena: Spain

In Spain, Christmas Eve, or Nochebuena, is the main event. Families gather for a lavish dinner, often featuring seafood and traditional sweets like turron. Midnight Mass, known as La Misa del Gallo, is also a significant part of the celebration.

Halloween and Christmas in Pop Culture

Halloween in movies and tv.

Halloween’s spooky themes have inspired countless movies and TV shows. Classics like “Hocus Pocus,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and “Halloweentown” have become staples of Halloween entertainment. The holiday’s unique blend of horror and fun makes it a favorite subject in popular culture.

Christmas in Movies and TV

Christmas has also left a significant mark on pop culture. Films like “Home Alone,” “Elf,” and “A Christmas Carol” are beloved holiday classics. While these movies bring joy and warmth, Halloween’s pop culture offerings often provide a more diverse range of emotions and experiences.

What is the origin of Halloween?

Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth.

Why is Halloween considered more creative than Christmas?

Halloween is considered more creative because it encourages individuals to express themselves through costumes, decorations, and themed parties. The holiday’s focus on imagination and individuality sets it apart from the more traditional and consistent celebrations of Christmas.

Are Halloween and Christmas celebrated differently around the world?

Yes, both Halloween and Christmas are celebrated differently around the world. Halloween traditions vary, with notable celebrations like Dia de los Muertos in Mexico and Samhain in Ireland and Scotland. Christmas traditions also differ, with unique customs in Scandinavia, Spain, and other regions.

What makes Halloween parties more exciting than Christmas parties?

Halloween parties are often more exciting due to their unique themes, activities, and decorations. The spooky ambiance, costume contests, and variety of entertainment options make Halloween parties dynamic and engaging compared to the more predictable Christmas gatherings.

How do Halloween decorations differ from Christmas decorations?

Halloween decorations are known for their eerie and elaborate themes, including haunted houses, spooky graveyards, and ghostly figures. In contrast, Christmas decorations are more traditional and uniform, featuring twinkling lights, nativity scenes, and decorated trees.

Is Halloween more inclusive than Christmas?

Halloween is generally more inclusive than Christmas because it is not tied to any particular religion or tradition. This makes it accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs, fostering a sense of community and participation.

In Conclusion

In the great debate of Halloween vs. Christmas, it’s clear why Halloween emerges as the superior holiday for many. The creative freedom, inclusivity, and dynamic celebrations of Halloween offer a unique and engaging experience that stands out from the traditional and predictable nature of Christmas. While both holidays have their merits, the spooky allure and excitement of Halloween make it a holiday that truly captivates the imagination and brings people together in a festive and fun-filled way.

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Halloween vs Christmas: Which Holiday Brings More Joy and Festivities?

Halloween and Christmas are two widely celebrated holidays with their unique histories, traditions, and customs. Understanding the origins and cultural significance of these holidays allows us to appreciate the distinct themes and purposes they serve in society. Let’s explore the history of Halloween and Christmas, followed by a comparison of their key characteristics.

The history of Halloween traces back to ancient Celtic festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival called Samhain. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, as well as the belief that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. Halloween evolved with influences from Christian traditions and various cultural practices, such as divination and wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits.

On the other hand, Christmas has its origins in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Over time, Christmas incorporated elements from pagan festivals like Saturnalia and Yule, blending religious and cultural practices. The holiday gained popularity and evolved into a celebration of joy, love, and family, featuring traditions such as decorating Christmas trees, giving gifts, and sharing meals.

When comparing Halloween and Christmas, several aspects differentiate these holidays. The theme and purpose of Halloween are centered around spooky and supernatural elements, focusing on fear and the spiritual realm. In contrast, Christmas represents joy, love, and the birth of Jesus, emphasizing peace and goodwill.

Cultural significance also distinguishes Halloween and Christmas. Halloween allows individuals to temporarily step into their alter egos and express themselves through costumes and makeup. It celebrates the harvest, indulging in treats and participating in activities like trick-or-treating and haunted houses. Christmas holds religious and cultural importance as a time of spiritual reflection, spending time with loved ones, and exchanging heartfelt gifts.

Symbolism and imagery play key roles in both holidays. Halloween features symbols like witches, ghosts, pumpkins, and black cats, evoking a sense of mystery and supernatural elements. Christmas is characterized by symbols such as nativity scenes, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and colorful lights, representing themes of rebirth, generosity, and the joy of giving.

In terms of celebration and rituals, Halloween is often marked by costumes parties, pumpkin carving, and visiting haunted attractions. Christmas, on the other hand, involves attending religious services, decorating homes with lights and ornaments, singing carols, and sharing meals with family and friends.

In subsequent sections, we will explore the differences between Halloween and Christmas in terms of timing and season, costumes and attire, decorations and ornaments, as well as types of activities and traditions. We will also highlight the similarities between these holidays, such as the spirit of joy and festivity, the enjoyment of food and treats, the importance of family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts.

Key takeaway:

• Halloween and Christmas both hold cultural significance and bring joy and festivity to people around the world.
• While Halloween focuses on themes of darkness, fear, and the supernatural, Christmas embodies themes of love, joy, and the birth of Jesus.
• Halloween and Christmas both involve unique traditions, such as costume and attire for Halloween, and decorations and ornaments for Christmas.

History of Halloween

Unravel the captivating history of Halloween with a journey into its fascinating origins, customs, and practices. Discover the ancient roots that gave birth to this bewitching holiday, and explore the evolution of Halloween’s traditions. Then, venture into the enchanting world of Christmas as we unveil its mysterious origins and trace the development of beloved holiday traditions. Get ready for a spellbinding exploration of the captivating histories behind Halloween and Christmas!

Origins of Halloween

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to ancient Celtic festivals like Samhain . According to Celtic beliefs, on October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead would become blurred. To avoid wandering ghosts, the Celts would light bonfires and don costumes. As time went on, the festival incorporated traditions from both the Romans and Christians.

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The Romans, for example, celebrated Pomona , a festival honoring the goddess of fruit and trees. This celebration eventually led to the tradition of bobbing for apples . With the spread of Christianity, Halloween gained religious significance. Pope Gregory III declared November 1st as All Saints’ Day , a day to honor all saints and martyrs. The night before, October 31st, became known as All Hallows’ Eve and later became the Halloween we know today.

It is interesting to note that Halloween traditions also made their way to America through Irish immigrants in the early 19th century.

Traditional Practices and Customs

Traditional practices and customs play a significant role in Halloween and Christmas celebrations. During Halloween, people engage in traditional practices by dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, and going trick-or-treating. They immerse themselves in customs such as decorating their houses and creating haunted houses. The festivities continue with Halloween parties and parades, where individuals have the opportunity to showcase their costumes and partake in music and games.

Similarly, Christmas also has a rich array of traditional practices and customs. People uphold these traditions by decorating their homes with Christmas trees , lights, and ornaments. They participate in the custom of exchanging gifts and gather together for a festive meal. Christmas caroling and attending religious services are also integral to the customs observed during this holiday season. The beloved figure of Santa Claus brings joy to children by delivering presents in accordance with these established customs.

Not only do these traditions contribute to the overall festive atmosphere, but they also serve as a unifying force, bringing people together to celebrate. Whether it is the exhilarating and spooky fun of Halloween or the heartwarming and joyous spirit of Christmas, these traditional practices and customs greatly enhance the cultural significance and enjoyment of these holidays.

Origins of Christmas

The origins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations. The Romans and Celts celebrated Saturnalia and the festival of Yule , respectively. These celebrations included feasting, gift-giving, and revelry.

With the spread of Christianity, Christmas incorporated elements from these pagan festivals. In the 4th century, Pope Julius I chose December 25th as the official date for the birth of Jesus Christ . This date coincided with existing pagan festivals, making the transition to the new Christian holiday easier.

Over the centuries, Christmas developed its own unique traditions and customs. In the Middle Ages, it involved religious processions, caroling, and reenactments of biblical stories. In the Victorian era, Christmas became a family-centered holiday with an emphasis on gift-giving, decorating trees, and sending greeting cards.

Today, people around the world celebrate the origins of Christmas in various ways. From religious ceremonies to festive decorations and spending time with loved ones, Christmas continues to bring joy and warmth to people’s hearts.

Evolution of Christmas Traditions

The evolution of Christmas traditions has significantly transformed how the holiday is celebrated today. Christmas has undergone a transition from being a strictly religious observance to a more secular and commercialized event . There are several key aspects that highlight this evolution:

1. Advent and Nativity : Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, now plays an integral role in the tradition. This includes the use of Advent calendars and wreaths to mark the countdown. The nativity scene , depicting the birth of Jesus, has become a popular decoration.

2. Santa Claus : Santa Claus, who is based on the historical figure of St. Nicholas, has emerged as a central figure in Christmas celebrations. He is closely associated with the act of gift-giving and is typically depicted as a jolly, bearded man in a red suit.

3. Christmas Trees : The tradition of bringing indoor evergreen trees and decorating them can be traced back for centuries. It was particularly popularized by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, in the 19th century. Nowadays, Christmas trees are adorned with lights, ornaments, and tinsel .

4. Gift-giving : Gift-giving has always been an important part of Christmas and has evolved over time. It has now become widespread and is associated with both religious and secular aspects of the holiday. The act of exchanging gifts serves as a demonstration of love and appreciation for family and friends.

5. Christmas Carols : Christmas carols originally had religious themes but have expanded to encompass a wide range of songs. While traditional carols like “Silent Night” and “Away in a Manger” still remain popular, contemporary songs have also gained prominence.

As Christmas traditions continue to evolve, it is crucial to remember the original message of love, compassion, and togetherness that the holiday represents.

Here are some suggestions to enhance your Christmas celebrations:

– Delve into the history and origins of different Christmas traditions.

– Research how Christmas is celebrated in various cultures and countries.

– Get creative with homemade decorations and gifts to add a personal touch to your festivities.

– Volunteer or donate to charities during the holiday season to support those in need.

– Initiate new traditions with your family and friends to make Christmas more meaningful and memorable .

Comparison of Halloween and Christmas

• When it comes to comparing Halloween and Christmas, there are distinct aspects to consider.
• From the themes and purposes to their cultural significance, symbolism, imagery, and unique celebrations, each holiday has its own charm.
• So, join me on this festive journey as we dive into the captivating contrasts and connections between Halloween and Christmas, exploring the reasons why these holidays capture our imaginations and hold such a special place in our traditions.
• Let the festivities begin!

Theme and Purpose

The theme and purpose of Halloween and Christmas differ significantly. Halloween is associated with fear and honoring the dead, incorporating the supernatural aspects of life naturally. Halloween celebrates those who have passed away through traditions like visiting cemeteries, holding costume parties, and telling ghost stories.

On the other hand, Christmas is centered around joy and love, naturally incorporating the purpose of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and spreading happiness and goodwill. It is a festive season that emphasizes family, giving, and togetherness. Christmas is marked by traditions like exchanging gifts, decorating homes with lights and ornaments, and gathering with loved ones for meals and celebrations.

While Halloween revels in the macabre and eerie, Christmas exudes warmth and cheer, naturally incorporating contrasting themes and purposes that make these two holidays distinctly different in atmosphere and sentiment. Whether one prefers the thrilling chills of Halloween or the heartwarming spirit of Christmas, both occasions bring people together and create cherished memories.

Cultural Significance

Cultural significance plays a vital role in the festivities of Halloween and Christmas . These beloved holidays hold immense cultural value and are deeply rooted in the customs and practices of various communities.

Halloween holds cultural significance due to its origins as the Celtic festival known as Samhain. It symbolized the transition from the bountiful harvest season to the onset of winter. Over time, Halloween has evolved and incorporated elements from diverse cultures, including Christian beliefs. It has transformed into a celebration of the supernatural, complete with costumes, decorations, and the tradition of trick-or-treating. This holiday encourages creativity and self-expression.

Likewise, Christmas bears cultural significance as a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It has undergone centuries of evolution and embraced customs from different cultures. Christmas embodies feelings of joy, love, and togetherness. It is a time for exchanging gifts, adorning homes with festive decor, and gathering with cherished ones. Beyond its religious origins, Christmas brings people together and fosters unity.

To wholeheartedly embrace the cultural significance of Halloween and Christmas, it is essential to delve into their histories and actively partake in their unique traditions. This approach will result in a profound understanding and genuine appreciation for the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches our world.

Symbolism and Imagery

Symbolism and imagery are integral elements in the celebration of Halloween and Christmas, enriching the overall festive experience. During Halloween, various symbols and imagery are intertwined with concepts of darkness, mystery, and the supernatural. One notable symbol is the pumpkin , which represents both the season of harvest and serves as a deterrent against malevolent spirits. Additionally, witches , ghosts , and skeletons further contribute to the creation of an eerie atmosphere.

On the contrary, Christmas is adorned with an array of symbols and imagery that evoke sentiments of joy, love, and hope. Among these symbols, the Christmas tree holds significant meaning as it symbolizes life, rebirth, and embodies the spirit of the holiday season. Santa Claus serves as a depiction of generosity and the delight of receiving gifts. The nativity scene , holly , mistletoe , and snowflakes all contribute to enhancing the festive ambiance.

Immersed in tradition and cultural importance, these powerful symbols and imagery establish a deep connection between individuals and the historical and folkloric aspects of each celebration. They contribute to the uniqueness and enchantment that each holiday holds.

Celebration and Rituals

Halloween and Christmas have different traditions and celebrations:

• Costumes and Dress-Up: People dress up in spooky or favorite character costumes.
• Trick-or-Treating: Children go door-to-door asking for candy.
• Pumpkin Carving: Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns with scary or creative faces.
• Haunted House Visits: Many people visit haunted houses or attractions for scares and thrills.
• Decorations: Christmas is associated with elaborate decorations including trees, lights, wreaths, and ornaments.
• Gift-Giving: Exchanging gifts with family and friends is a central part of Christmas celebrations.
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: These days are traditionally spent with family, attending religious services, having meals, and enjoying quality time together.
• Singing Christmas Carols: Singing seasonal songs, both traditional and modern.

Although Halloween and Christmas have unique celebrations and rituals , they both bring joy and excitement to the festive season.

Halloween and Christmas have different traditions and celebrations, encompassing a wide range of celebration and rituals :

Differences between Halloween and Christmas

Ready to dive into the fascinating world of Halloween and Christmas ? In this section, we will unravel the differences between these two beloved holidays. From the timing and season to the costume and attire, decorations, ornaments, as well as the types of activities and traditions associated with each celebration, we’ll explore what sets Halloween and Christmas apart. So, get ready for a delightful journey of discovering the contrasting characteristics that make these festivities truly unique.

Timing and Season

Christmas and Halloween are celebrated at different times of the year.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th , marking the birth of Jesus Christ . It is a winter holiday, associated with cold weather and snow. Families gather to exchange gifts, share meals, and decorate their homes. The joyful spirit of Christmas brings people together and cultivates a sense of warmth and cheer.

On the other hand, Halloween is observed on October 31st and has its roots in ancient Celtic traditions. It is a fall holiday, usually associated with colorful leaves and cooler temperatures. During Halloween , people dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and engage in playful activities.

The timing and season greatly influence the way people celebrate. Christmas occurs during winter, allowing for cozy indoor gatherings and traditional activities. In contrast, Halloween takes place in autumn, allowing people to embrace the beauty of changing colors.

The different timing and seasons of Christmas and Halloween provide unique charms associated with each occasion. Whether it’s the warmth of Christmas or the excitement of Halloween , both events contribute to our holiday traditions throughout the year.

Costume and Attire

Halloween costumes are essential for embodying different characters and embracing spooky and supernatural themes. They are typically scary or represent supernatural beings like witches, vampires, ghosts, and monsters. Creative and individualized costumes are encouraged, and accessories such as masks, wigs, and props can be incorporated.

Christmas attire aims to reflect the holiday spirit and enhance the celebratory atmosphere. It can range from formal outfits for church services to more casual Christmas-themed clothing. Popular Christmas attire includes festive sweaters , Santa Claus costumes , and elf outfits . Accessories like Santa hats , reindeer antlers , or Christmas-themed jewelry are also enjoyed. Coordinating family outfits or wearing matching ugly Christmas sweaters is a common tradition.

In both Halloween and Christmas, costume and attire choices are significant in creating a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for the respective celebrations.

Decorations and Ornaments

Decorations and ornaments play a crucial role in Halloween and Christmas celebrations, adding a festive atmosphere. Halloween decorations include carved pumpkins, known as jack-o’-lanterns , placed outside homes. Other popular decorations include spooky yard displays, fake cobwebs, and hanging witches, ghosts, and skeletons.

Christmas decorations feature colorful lights, wreaths, and garlands, used to adorn homes, buildings, and trees. Christmas trees are a central decoration, adorned with ornaments, lights, and a tree topper such as a star or an angel.

Both holidays incorporate themed ornaments that reflect the spirit of the occasion. Halloween ornaments may include bats, spider webs, black cats, and witches, while Christmas ornaments can feature Santa Claus , reindeer, snowflakes, and nativity scenes.

Halloween decorations create a spooky atmosphere with dim lighting, flickering candles, and haunting decorations. Christmas decorations create a warm and joyful ambiance with vibrant colors and twinkling lights.

Ornaments for both holidays can be homemade or store-bought, allowing individuals to personalize their decorations and express their creativity.

Halloween and Christmas decorations vary in size, ranging from small and intricate ornaments to large inflatable figures and displays.

While Halloween decorations are usually taken down shortly after the holiday, Christmas decorations often remain up for a longer period, extending the festive spirit throughout the holiday season.

Types of Activities and Traditions

There are various types of activities and traditions linked to Halloween and Christmas. To understand the differences between the two festivities, let’s explore the table provided:

These are just a few examples of activities and traditions associated with Halloween and Christmas. Each celebration has its own unique customs and experiences, making them special in their own way. Whether you prefer the spooky atmosphere of Halloween or the festive spirit of Christmas, both holidays offer a wide range of activities and traditions to enjoy.

Similarities between Halloween and Christmas

Photo Credits: Rickyshalloween.Com by Harold Ramirez

Discover the unexpected parallelism between Halloween and Christmas as we unravel the shared traditions and experiences that make these holidays special. From the contagious spirit of joy and festivity to the tantalizing array of food and treats, followed by the cherished moments of family gatherings and the warmth of socialization. And let’s not forget the exciting exchange of gifts that adds a touch of magic to both occasions. Get ready to delve into the delightful similarities that bring people together during these festive seasons.

Spirit of Joy and Festivity

The spirit of joy and festivity is central to Halloween and Christmas . These holidays bring excitement and happiness to people of all ages.

During Halloween , children dress up in costumes and go trick or treating. People decorate their homes with spooky decorations, carve pumpkins, and host Halloween parties. The spirit of joy and festivity can be seen in the laughter and smiles of those participating.

Similarly, Christmas is a time of immense joy and festivity . The holiday season is marked by cheerful decorations, twinkling lights, and holiday music. Families come together to celebrate, exchange gifts, and create cherished memories. The spirit of joy and festivity is evident in the laughter and merriment shared.

To enhance the spirit of joy and festivity during these holidays, engage in activities that bring happiness, such as watching holiday movies, baking treats, or spending time with loved ones. Embrace the festive spirit and fully experience the joy that Halloween and Christmas bring.

Food and Treats

When comparing food and treats, Halloween and Christmas offer unique culinary experiences. Here is a comparison of the food and treats associated with these festive celebrations:

• Halloween candy , such as chocolate bars , candy corn , and gummy worms , are popular treats. Trick-or-treaters collect these sweet delights.
• Halloween-themed snacks like popcorn balls , caramel apples , and pumpkin seeds are enjoyed during parties and gatherings.
• Halloween-themed drinks such as witches’ brew punch or hot apple cider with cinnamon are commonly served to complement the spooky atmosphere.
• Costumed adults and children may have themed Halloween parties with snacks like “ eyeball ” meatballs or “ mummy ” hot dogs.
• Christmas cookies , including gingerbread cookies , sugar cookies , and chocolate chip cookies , are a beloved tradition. Baking and sharing these treats with family and friends is part of the festive season.
• Traditional Christmas desserts like fruitcakes , Yule logs , and mince pies are savored during holiday meals and festivities.
• Warm beverages like hot chocolate , eggnog , and mulled wine bring comfort and joy during Christmas time.
• Christmas feasts often include roasted turkey or ham , mashed potatoes , stuffing , and cranberry sauce as traditional main dishes.

Enjoying the delectable treats and flavors associated with Halloween and Christmas adds to the delight and merriment of these festive occasions.

Family Gatherings and Socialization

Family gatherings and socialization are important aspects of Halloween and Christmas celebrations. These holidays provide opportunities for families to come together and spend quality time with one another. During Halloween , families can enjoy activities such as trick-or-treating as a family, where children can collect candy from neighbors. They can also engage in carving pumpkins and creating spooky decorations at home. Another fun option is attending or hosting Halloween-themed costume parties with family and friends. Families can gather for a festive meal or potluck dinner , enjoying Halloween-themed foods and treats.

Similarly, during Christmas , family gatherings play a significant role. Families come together to enjoy a holiday meal , featuring dishes like turkey, ham, or roast beef. This creates a joyful and festive atmosphere where family members can exchange gifts and show their love for one another. Decorating the Christmas tree as a family is another cherished tradition, which helps create a warm and inviting ambiance. Families may also choose to participate in religious ceremonies or attend Christmas church services together, reinforcing the importance of faith and togetherness.

Both Halloween and Christmas are wonderful occasions for families to bond and create lasting memories. Whether it’s dressing up and collecting candy or gathering around the Christmas tree, these celebrations promote family togetherness and bring immense joy and happiness.

Exchange of Gifts

The exchange of gifts is a significant aspect when comparing Halloween and Christmas . This tradition of the exchange of gifts shows love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness towards others.

During both festivals, people exchange a variety of gifts including candies, treats, costumes, decorations, toys, clothing, electronics, and festive items. The element of surprise accompanies the exchange of gifts, bringing joy to children and adults alike.

Giving gifts fosters generosity and goodwill, enhancing the festive spirit. While Halloween focuses on treats and small gifts, Christmas is associated with more substantial and meaningful gifts reflecting the recipient’s preferences.

The exchange of gifts strengthens bonds between friends, family members, and communities, creating memorable experiences and moments of joy. It also brings happiness and excitement to others, contributing to an overall joyful atmosphere.

By considering these aspects, the significance of the exchange of gifts can be appreciated as a central element of both Halloween and Christmas celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how is the weather during halloween compared to christmas.

The author believes that the weather during Halloween is more enjoyable as it is still bearable and comfortable compared to the cold and snowy winter associated with Christmas.

2. Why is Halloween considered less stressful than Christmas?

Halloween is considered less stressful than Christmas because it is just one night of fun and festivities, while Christmas involves weeks of planning, hosting family, and buying gifts.

3. Are Halloween movies more creative and enjoyable than Christmas movies?

According to the author, Halloween movies are more creative and enjoyable compared to Christmas movies, with a larger selection of horror movies available.

4. What makes costumes and candy appealing during Halloween?

The costumes and candy are major appeals of Halloween because they allow people to dress up in creative and detailed costumes and enjoy the tradition of going door to door for candy.

5. What are the origins of Halloween and Christmas?

Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which involved lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off ghosts. Christmas, on the other hand, is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

6. Which festivity has a higher percentage of celebration among Americans?

According to Gallup News, a higher percentage of Americans (82%) celebrate Christmas compared to Halloween (65%).

Please share this with your friends over on social media!

About the author.

Ricky Rawlins

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Halloween vs Christmas

Halloween vs. Christmas the best holidays These are both one of the most important holidays to the United States maybe even to the world. They bring people joy, happiness, and it mostly brings people together to celebrate. These two holidays are very important in different ways. They both bring a different concept. But what are the differences and similarities of this holiday, keep reading this and maybe I’ll help you find out a little about these two wonderful holidays. For Halloween Halloween is full of frights, terror, fun, and is the only day out of the year a person can be whoever they want to be.

On Halloween, fantasies come alive for people of all ages. For children, it means dressing up as whatever fictional character they want to, and getting the most candy. All of the costumed children are able to walk around at night going from door to door, getting a much candy as they can fit into a pillowcase. Halloween is the only holiday kids receive so much candy; it can last the entire year. Children, can also, participate in parades, enter, or pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. For adults, it can hold several different meanings, as well.

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As a parent, you can help dress up your child, paint their face, and put in your own creativity to the costume. Parents, can also, walk around with their child on Halloween, and smile as their child runs from house to house as happy as can be. Halloween is one of the biggest celebration days of the United States, it is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31. Halloween’s roots can be traced back to Celtic culture in Ireland. According to their “Druid” religion, November 1st was New Years’ on their calendar. The celebration would begin on October 31st, and last into the following day.

The spirits of all who died in the prior year would rise up and roam the earth on this night. This is an evil night when spirits roamed the streets and villages. Lord Samhain, the lord of Darkness, would arrive in search of the spirits to take them to the underworld. Halloween as it is currently celebrated with costumes, trick or treat, and superstitions, takes from this Druid Holiday. Halloween is second only to Christmas in spending. Consumers spend over $2. 5 Billion during Halloween. That’s a whole lot of candy, costumes, decorations, and party goods. Like Christmas, Halloween is steeped in traditions.

While Christmas can be a stressful period, Halloween is all about fun. People really get into the Halloween tradition and “spirit”. Some religions are against celebrating Halloween, citing it’s roots in ancient Druid religion. While this is true, Today’s Halloween celebrations are all about fun, with a generous amount of imagination Halloween was commonly referred to as “All Hollows” Eve. It originated from the pagan holiday honoring the dead. The Roman Catholic Church created All Saints Day (also called Hallowmas) on November 1st to honor Saints and All Souls Day on November 2and to honor and pray for the souls of the dead.

These holidays were created by the church, in part to downplay the pagan holidays. Needless to say, it did not succeed. Halloween as we know it today has grown from the ancient Druid Holiday. Along the way both fun, frights, and satanic twists have been added to the mix. In English, this holiday translates to “The Day of the Dead”. It is an important Mexican holiday. Where Americans shy away from the topic of death, Mexicans embrace it. On this day, they celebrate it in a big way. Asian cultures are also known to honor the dead in October.

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

December 25 Christmas day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. Decorating the tree is the most important part for the kids because it gets them exciting and they know that it means the presents are coming soon. Christmas is one of the most important holiday there is of the year it brings people together mostly family. It’s the time of the year that family visits each other and mostly because Christmas is so close to New Year it’s even more exciting. Most people go to church this day because it is consider the day when Jesus was born to Christians.

I think there are a lot of similarities in both of these holidays. Both of the holidays are a symbol of something that has happen in the past. They both honor something. In both of the holidays people decorate their homes with the theme of the holiday. In Christmas people give away presents and in Halloween people give away candy. People most likely get together to celebrate this and most people don’t work on these times. Either to spend time with their family or to go out and do something. Somewhat they are both a religious celebration even though I don’t see it that way.

In my church they teach me not to celebrate any of these holidays. So I don’t even celebrate them I just hear about them from people. In Christmas you get dressed up in your best clothes and in Halloween you get dressed up wit6h costumes. Well this is all I can tell you about these two holidays since this is all I got from the research and all the people I asked about it. When I am older I might celebrate Christmas and Halloween with my family they seem like very fun and happy things to do that makes people come together.

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Every year for Halloween, my dad and I would completely decorate the house. We would also religiously hit the stores on Nov. 1 on the hunt for newly discounted decor items to add to our holiday collection for the following year. I might not have been able to hang a Christmas wreath on my door in December (much to my 10-year-old Martha Stewart-worshiping heart's dismay!), but there was certainly a festive orange and black one hanging by the start of October. I counted down the days until I could go shopping for my costume and lived for the school parties.

Looking back, it seems obvious that my appreciation for our traditional pizza dinner every single Halloween night and the coveted trip to the pumpkin patch was because, in a sense, Halloween was my Christmas. It was something I got to look forward to, prepare for, and indulge in by celebrating for weeks leading up to the big day. I tuned in for the yearly movies counting down to the big day and I could show my holiday spirit to all of my neighbors with the impressive thought that went into my carved pumpkin. And not to say that I didn't appreciate the unique aspects of Hanukkah and Passover just as much as I enjoyed the more universal holidays like New Year's Eve and Thanksgiving, but there was just something different about Halloween.

As a little girl who took comfort in tradition and felt excluded from many holidays, Halloween was most definitely my Christmas.

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Similars And Similarities And Differences Of Halloween And Christmas

Latoia Eppinger Dr. Bond ENGL-0101-29 8:00AM 14 November 2014 Halloween and Christmas The holiday season is among us. Halloween begins in the fall when the leaves start to change colors and fall of the trees. Christmas begins in winter when the snow hits the ground and the weather gets mighty cold. Halloween is when the spookier things come out. When most people think of Halloween they think of pumpkins and candy. Christmas is a time for giving gifts and being with family. Christmas is usually associated with Santa Clause and his worker elves. Although to most people these holidays may seem very different, there are also some similarities between the two. These differences and similarities can be seen in the dressing up, the celebrations, and the giving. During both holidays the people who celebrate them dress up to be festive. In the time of Halloween most people dress up in costumes of ghouls and monsters. Many will also see many movie villains and different professions. It is also not uncommon to see dogs dressed up as pumpkins, cats, etc. Throughout Christmas people usually only have a couple of costumes to choose from. The most known costume during the Christmas season is of Santa …show more content…

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history of halloween

B. Topic Link: The holidays connection to it’s origins have mostly fallen by the wayside, and a number of new American traditions have developed.

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• HISTORY & CULTURE

The history of trick-or-treating, and how it became a Halloween tradition

Children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door for treats is a relatively modern tradition—but its origins can be traced to the Celts and even a long-lost Christmas tradition.

Every year on October 31, adults listen for the sound of a knock on their door from costumed children, arms outstretched with a bag open for candy. In modern times, trick-or-treating has become a nearly sacred Halloween tradition in the United States.

Yet historians say the origins of kids begging their neighbors for food may date back to ancient Celtic celebrations or even a long-lost Christmas custom. And the phrase itself dates back to the 1920s, when Halloween pranks once set entire cities on edge. Here’s how trick-or-treating evolved.

The origin of Halloween

Halloween is thought to date back more than 2,000 years to Samhain, a Celtic New Year’s Day that fell on November 1. Demons, fairies, and spirits of the dead were thought to walk the Earth the night before when the separation was thin between the worlds of the living and the dead.  

The Celts lit bonfires and set out gifts of food, hoping to win the favor of the spirits of those who had died in the past year. They also disguised themselves so the spirits of the dead wouldn’t recognize them.

Samhain later transformed in the seventh century into All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day as Christian leaders co-opted pagan holidays. But the night before continued to be observed with bonfires, costumes, and parades under the new name All Hallows' Eve—later "Halloween."

European immigrants then brought Halloween to the United States, and the celebration became popular in the 1800s, when Irish American immigration exploded. Their folk customs and beliefs merged with existing agricultural traditions, meaning Halloween dabbled in the occult, but stayed grounded in the fall harvest. Over the years, the holiday became a time for children to dress up as the ghosts their ancestors once feared.

( Read more about the holiday’s history and myths .)

How trick-or-treating became a tradition

But how did those Celtic traditions evolve into one of children trick-or-treating in costumes for fun and candy—not for safety from spirits?  

According to the fifth edition of Holiday Symbols and Customs, in as early as the 16th century, it was customary in England for those who were poor to go begging on All Souls’ Day , and children eventually took over the custom. At the time, it was popular to give children cakes with crosses on top called “soul cakes” in exchange for prayers on your behalf.

Lisa Morton, author of Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween, traced one of the earliest mentions of typical Halloween celebrations to a letter from Queen Victoria about spending Halloween around a bonfire in Scotland in 1869.  

“Having made the circuit of the Castle,” the letter said , “the remainder of the torches were thrown in a pile at the south-west corner, thus forming a large bonfire, which was speedily augmented with other combustibles until it formed a burning mass of huge proportions, round which dancing was spiritedly carried on.”

Morton writes that people in the American middle class often were anxious to imitate their British cousins, which would explain a short story printed in 1870 that painted Halloween as an English holiday celebrated by children with fortune-telling and games to win treats.  

However, Morton writes that it’s possible that trick-or-treating may be a more recent tradition that, surprisingly, may have been inspired by Christmas.  

A popular 18th- and 19th-century Christmas custom called belsnickling in the eastern areas of the U.S. and Canada was similar to trick-or-treating: Groups of costumed participants would go from house to house to perform small tricks in exchange for food and drink. Some belsnicklers even deliberately frightened young children at houses before asking if they had been good enough to earn a treat. And other early descriptions say that those handing out treats had to guess the identities of the disguised revelers, giving food to anyone they couldn’t identify.

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In the 19th century, “tricks”—such as   rattling windows and tying doors shut —were often made to look as though supernatural forces had conjured them. Some people offered candy as a way to protect their homes from pranksters, who might wreak havoc by disassembling farm equipment and reassembling it on a rooftop. By the early 20th century, some property owners had even begun to fight back and lawmakers encouraged communities   to keep children in check with wholesome fun.

These pranks likely gave rise to the use of the phrase “trick-or-treat.” Barry Popik, an etymologist, traced the earliest usage of the phrase in connection with Halloween to a 1927 Alberta newspaper article reporting on pranksters demanding “trick or treat” at houses.

How trick-or-treating grew popular

Trick-or-treating became widespread in the U.S. after the Second World War, when rationing ended and candy was once again readily available. The rapid development of suburban neighborhoods where it was easier than ever for kids to travel from house to house also fueled the rise of the tradition.  

In the 1950s, Halloween imagery and merchandising started to reflect that popularity, and the holiday became more consumerist. Costumes went from simple, homemade attire mimicking ghosts and pirates to mass-produced costumes of beloved TV and movie characters.

As trick-or-treating’s popularity rose, adults found it far easier to hand out individually wrapped candies than apples, nuts, and homemade goodies. Candy had first made its appearance in the 1800s at American Halloween parties as taffy that children could pull, and candy is now solidified as the go-to “treat.”  

By the mid 20th century, Halloween tricks of old had all but disappeared. Children just wanted candy and homeowners with their house lights on gave it to them. Those that preferred to avoid candy-giving entirely kept their lights off.

But even as Halloween became a wholesome family activity, urban myths arose in the 1960s   that generated concern about whether it was really all that safe for kids to take candy from strangers. It’s difficult to trace the origins of urban myths like razor blades in apples or candy laced with drugs—although, i n 1964, a New York housewife made headlines after deeming some trick-or-treaters too old and handing them packages of dog biscuits, poisonous ant bait, and steel wool.  

That incident gave rise to educational programs telling children to throw away unwrapped treats, and a shift toward commercial wrapped candy, earning an incidental win for candy manufacturers .

Halloween’s candy boom

Since the rise of trick-or-treating after World War II, chocolate has reigned supreme as the most popular sweet to hand out. By 2009, Halloween had become the top U.S. holiday for chocolate sales, and that number keeps on growing.

The day has become the nation’s second-largest commercial holiday, and this year, Americans are expected to spend an estimated $3 billion on Halloween candy, according to the National Retail Federation . A good portion of that money is spent on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, which national distributor Candy Store says is America’s most beloved Halloween candy.

Candy corn, first manufactured in the 1880s, also remains a classic—even though it consistently ranks as America’s least favorite Halloween treat. About 35 million pounds of the orange, yellow, and white cone-shaped candy is produced each year with the majority sold for Halloween, according to the National Confectioners Association .

Candy sales took a dip in 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions forced trick-or-treaters indoors. But now, two years later, American children have once again taken to the streets to exhort their neighbors for sweets—and maybe even play some lighthearted pranks—much like the Celts and the belsnicklers that came before them.

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HALLOWEEN VS. CHRISTMAS

‘Tis the Season… of What?

Nathan Travis , Staff Writer | October 30, 2020

https://musingsfromus.com

Halloween is just around the corner, and for lots of people, it’s their favorite holiday; however, others might say Christmas or maybe even Thanksgiving. Both Christmas and Halloween have their pros as holidays; you get more time with your family on Christmas, but on Halloween, you can dress up in silly costumes and go out and have fun. At this point, you’re probably asking me this question. Which is better?

When things start to get a little more spooky, you know it’s time for Halloween. The most famous tradition of Halloween is to dress up in a costume and go trick or treating. Lots of people dress in scary costumes or maybe even set up haunted houses to make it truly feel like Halloween. Others prefer to dress in silly costumes with their friends and go out for the fun of it. We all love coming home with a sack full of candy, but that’s not all there is to Halloween.

Besides trick or treating, there are some other fun Halloween traditions that make the Halloween season what it is. Simple things like watching scary movies and carving pumpkins are very fun yet classic traditions. Another enjoyable activity set around the spooky season is visiting “haunted houses’. These have very many frightening elements, to endorse the creepy theme of the holiday. My warning to you? Watch out for ghosts! Yes, it can be hard to top a sack full of candy… but I believe I’ve found something that is competent. Maybe presents around a Christmas tree?

Just like the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Christmas is an amazing season; there are countless traditions that actually last quite a while. One thing that is especially unique to the season is the Christmas movies. Movies like Home Alone, Miracle On 34th Street, Elf, and many others make this time of year very special and exciting in its own way. Another thing is just that feeling of Christmas morning when you wake up and know it’s December 25th. You enter a happy state of mind when you know you’re about to have a great day with your family. There are other traditions that stand out such as Christmas caroling and the classic Nutcracker ballet, something that cannot be passed by.

Since I am actually a dancer that performs in the Nutcracker every year I can’t leave this part of the season out! Whether or not you have seen the Nutcracker, you have most likely heard “Trepak” or  “March” from the ballet. The ballet is based on the book “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King” which was written by the French author Alexandre Dumas. This version of the story was choreographed into a ballet with Tchaikovsky’s music, which is now some of the most well-known music to this day. Since the original ballet in 1892, it’s become one of the most popular Christmas traditions for both performers and viewers.

I love both holiday seasons, but I’d have to say as a whole, in my personal opinion, Christmas is more enjoyable. I created a poll to see what others in the iUPrep community had to say, a whopping 78.6% of the candidates prefer Christmas over Halloween. Here’s what a few of them said:

• “Christmas is a time for giving and sharing love with others and spending time with others too.”  – Brooke Bolinger, 9th Grade
• “I love the cold weather, hot cocoa, and going to visit family that lives far away.” – Jess Pope, 8th Grade
• “The season of magic, joy, gifts, happiness, [and] giving. This is way better than pumpkins and candy.” – Owen Labay, 6th Grade

iUP opinions and those of other students statewide and even nationwide will differ, but none can deny the uniqueness of both of these holidays. As we get ready to live out the spooky and holly jolly seasons of 2020, help me fill in this gap; “‘Tis the Season… of what ?”

Matthews, Lindsey. “The 70 Best Christmas Movies Of All Time, Starting With ‘A Christmas Story’.” 2020.

• Nathan Travis

Hey guys! My name is Nathan Travis, and this is my fifth year at iUPrep, and my 2nd contributing to iHoot. Outside of iUPrep, I frequently swim, as I am...

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104 Christmas Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for Christmas topic ideas to write about? Being the most loved holiday in English-speaking countries, Christmas is definitely worth studying!

• 🔝 Top 10 Essay Titles
• 🏆 Best Essay Examples
• 📍 Good Topic Ideas
• 💡 Exciting Essay Topics

❓ Christmas Essay Questions

In your Christmas essay, you might want to discuss the most controversial traditions connected to the holiday, describe a Christmas decoration that you consider the most beautiful, or write a narrative about an impressive Christmas sermon you once visited. Here we’ve gathered good & funny Christmas essay titles and added some Christmas essay examples to inspire you even more.

🔝 Top 10 Christmas Essay Titles

• Christmas: etymology of the word
• History of Christmas
• My favorite Christmas tradition
• Christmas in non-Christian areas
• Traditional Christmas decorations
• Celebrating Christmas in different countries: compare & contrast
• Nativity play as a part of Christmas celebration
• Most popular Christmas songs
• My favorite Christmas food
• Different dates of Christmas all over the world

🏆 Best Christmas Essay Examples

• Christian Festivals: Calendar and Events Jesus is often referred to as the light of the world and therefore the lit candles are symbolic of him as the light of the world.
• Christmas and Easter: Two Contrasting Holidays Thus the current commercialization of the two holidays in order to make it more open as a celebration to people across the board.
• Anthropology. Eating Christmas in the Kalahari by Lee The story highlights the attitude of the particular national society of Bushmen to the arrogance and social inequality in the modern world.
• A Christmas Carol by Dickens It starts with a summary of the plot, then examines the main characters and the themes and concludes with the personal opinion on the novella.
• A Christmas Carol of Dickens: Never Too Late for a Change of Heart Then, the second Ghost of the Christmas Present guides Scrooge to the houses of both Fred and Bob. Finally, the Ghost of the Christmas future shows Scrooge the flashforward of the next Christmas.
• Performance of Retail Businesses in Christmas Season The dissertation undertakes a study that compares the sales/ marketing strategies and the performance of the retail businesses during the Christmas season in UK.
• Christmas Celebration in New York City I was mesmerized with the arrangements and the atmosphere of the city which was full with a colorful holiday spirit as everyone enjoyed the celebrations to their fullest.
• “Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens Literary Analysis The lead character in the story is Ebenezer Scrooge; the ghosts that led Scrooge to repentance and redemption include the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.
• Economic Aspects in “A Christmas Carol” Movie The movie ‘A Christmas Carol’ depicts how it is critical for one to play a part in the production of goods and services.
• Views About Christmas Time Review Ted Byfield and Almas Zakiuddin share their thoughts about the celebration of Christmas and how people change during that time of year.
• Impact of Technology on the Way People Celebrate Christmas Christmas in those parts of the world that celebrate it, represent a time when families and acquaintances remember one another, meet and celebrate the birth of Christ and the approaching end of a year.
• The Analysis of Christmas as a Cultural Context of Consumption One of the countries in which the customs of the original winter holidays were incredibly diligently combined with the Christian holiday was Germany.
• Applying Models to Recent Christmas Ad Campaigns It was differentiated from other companies with the presence of the best sportswear companies and the choice of activities with a number of acrobatic tricks and effective moves.
• Christmas Celebrations in Spanish Culture The Virgin Mary is Spain’s patron saint and this is the reason behind the Christmas officially beginning in the 8th of December with the Immaculate Conception feast.
• Christmas Tree Trimming Project Analysis In project management, it is important to accurately evaluate the budget earned on different steps of work proceeding to analyze the schedule variance and the stage of the project completion.
• Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” However, the choice of black cats in animation is a common experience with Tim in his shows and ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ is no exception.
• “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Play: Actors Game The desire of the actors to present this play to the public is probably connected not only with the necessity to do their work but also to convey more intimate information to the audience.
• The Play “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” The purpose of this production is to deepen the understanding of the story and its themes. The diversity of characters, an interesting and unusual plot, and the variety of settings are factors that contributed to […]
• “Christmas in August” a Movie by Hur Jin-Ho However, the heavy-handed emotional and dramatic elements in the genre create a sort of stereotype around the films and the expectations that the audiences have.
• “The Nightmare Before Christmas” by Tim Burton The main character is the leader of the place where he lives, and he is bored with the regular way of celebrating Halloween.
• Salford Christmas Land Project and Event Management The major theme of the Christmas event will be diversity, which is a topical question in the city council as well as the community.
• Hunting a Christmas Tree by Barbara Dean This story is an amazing combination of natural beauty, human pretentiousness, and despair that may spoil even the most beautiful events in a human life like Christmas.”Hunting a Christmas Tree” is Dean’s personal position on […]
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Theodor Geisel It is important to note that the book is a story about the conflict between introversion and extroversion that results in the victory of extroverted people who are the basis of the human society.
• The Concept of Celebrating Christmas in Kalahari This way of living was different from what the narrator was accustomed to because he rarely shared his food supplies with members of the community.
• Mechanical Solidarity in Eating Christmas in the Kalahari When discussing the concerned subject matter, I will promote the idea that it is precisely the primitive people’s endowment with the sense of a mechanical solidarity, which allows them to maintain the integrity of their […]
• A Manmade Christmas Tree The lines used by the artist are obscure, but the shape of the work of art resembles a conventional form of a Christmas tree.
• Washington Cathedral Classical Music Christmas Concert The pieces were performed beautifully; actually, I got a sense of satisfaction and deep rumination of the Christmas season because of the expressive execution of the pieces by the band and the choir.
• Chicken Run and The Nightmare Before Christmas As a result of the escape, Ginger is kept in a secluded place and the only option left for the poor bird is to fly over the fence.
• Thanksgiving vs. Christmas There are a variety of ways to understand the importance of these two but the best way perhaps is to see it from the eyes of a child.

📍 Good Christmas Topic Ideas

• The Origin of Christmas Celebrations in Christianity
• Character Analysis Of Scrooge In A Christmas Carol
• The Character of The Grinch in the Movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Personality of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
• Origin Of Christmas Traditions
• The True Meaning of the Christmas Celebration
• The Effective Advertising and Marketing Methods of Coca-Cola During the Christmas Season
• A History of the Origins of Christmas Lights
• Moravian Food and Christmas Cookies
• Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
• A Christmas Carol: Difference Between Muppets and Original
• The Significance of Santa Clause in Christmas History and Culture
• The People, Events, and Christmas in the Victorian Era
• The Three Spirits in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

💡 Exciting Christmas Essay Topics

• A Childhood Belief on the Spirit of Christmas and Its Celebration
• A Characteristic Of Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ Novel A Christmas Carol
• The Spirit of Christmas in Family Gatherings, Radio, Movie, and the Climate
• A Description of Christmas as a Christian Holiday That Celebrates the Birth of Jesus Christ
• The Commercialization of Christmas
• Ebenezer Scrooge’s Emotional State in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
• The Popularity of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• A Comparison of the Differences in the Author’s View of Ethics in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and The Moonstone by
• Wilkie Collins
• The Comprehensibility of Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’
• The Amazing Transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
• There Is Something Undeniably Special about Christmas
• Celebrating Christmas in 18th Century England and China Today
• Seasonal Altruism: How Christmas Shapes Unsolicited Charitable Giving
• A Criticism of the Victorian Era in a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Consumer Behavior At Christmas Of Portsmouth : Food
• The Importance of Christmas Celebration
• Christmas Tree and Vegetarian Option
• The Evolution Of Communication At Christmas
• Has Christmas Become Too Commercialized?
• What Was Christmas Originally Called?
• What Effect Does All the Christmas Media Promotion Have?
• How Do Nigerians Celebrate Christmas?
• Should Christians Celebrate Christmas and Easter?
• How Did Religion and Secular Practices Become Part of Christmas?
• What Is the Effect That Christmas Has on Society?
• Has the Meaning of Christmas Changed Over Time?
• What Would Jesus Think of Christmas Today?
• Why Is Christmas Celebrated on December 25?
• When Was the First-Ever Christmas Celebration in the World?
• What Are the Other Names for Christmas?
• When Was Christmas Established as a Federal Holiday in the USA?
• Should Schools Allow Students to Have Christmas Parties?
• What Is the True Meaning of Santa Claus?
• Can There Be Christmas Without Santa Claus?
• What Is the Origin of Christmas?
• How Is “Old Christmas” Celebrated?
• Why Is Christmas Celebrated?
• Who Celebrates Christmas First?
• What Symbolizes Christmas?
• Why Does Santa Wear Red?
• What Is the Main Message of Christmas?
• Who Named Christmas?
• What Do Christmas Colors Mean?
• Where Did Christmas Trees Come From?
• What Is the Joy of Christmas?
• Who Invented Christmas Lights?
• What Does Word Christmas Mean?
• Why Do We Say Merry Christmas?
• Belief Questions
• Dreaming Essay Titles
• Church Paper Topics
• Festival Essay Ideas
• History Topics
• Family Titles
• Thanksgiving Research Ideas
• Cultural Relativism Questions
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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16 Reasons Halloween And Christmas Are Basically The Same Holiday

Both holidays make me very anxious, and I just realized it's for all the same reasons.

BuzzFeed, Creative Fellow

1. Both are exceptionally scary.

Halloween: Zombies, monsters, demons, the existential paranoia that no one is ever really who they appear to be and that death eventually comes for us all...

Christmas: Allegedly some fat, bearded old foreign man who is really into children sitting on his lap breaks into your home, eats your snacks, leaves you nice stuff that for all you know could have been stolen, exits without a trace and lets you live with the constant paranoia that he sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. Good God.

2. You WILL gain weight after properly celebrating both holidays.

Christmas: OH, THE FEAST. I GROW LARGER JUST THINKING ABOUT THE FEAST.

Halloween : CANDY. PUMPKIN PIE. CANDY AND PUMPKIN PIE EVERYWHERE.

3. You are expected to dress up for both (and will often look foolish)

Halloween: Do I want to show off my wit or my body? Do I have either to show off?

Christmas : Incorporating leggings into my dressy outfit: challenge accepted.

4. Both are largely based upon subtle threats.

Halloween: Behave accordingly or kids will play a mischievous trick upon you.

Christmas: Behave accordingly or Santa will break into your home and give you coal, which is useless because the fireplace is less than a foot away and is literally chock full of that shit.

5. Both holidays glamorize the bothering of neighbors.

Christmas: Carolers be like ♪ Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg/ The Batmobile lost its wheel and Joker is my dad ♫

Halloween: Kids be like ♫ Trick or treat, smell my feet/ give me something good to eat/ If you don't, I'll tell my father about this. ♪

6. People get SO turnt up decorating their homes for both occasions...

Halloween : Plastic skulls, glowing pumpkins, fog machines, Styrofoam headstones, tacky lights...

Christmas : Plastic santas, glowing trees, snow machines, Styrofoam snowmen, tacky lights...

7. ...And no one really wants to take down the decorations.

Halloween: "Screw it, I'll just say I'm going for an Addam's Family motif. "

Christmas: "Maybe if I just don't plug in the lights, that will make them invisible and no one will know they're still all over my house and windows and bushes!" *It's April*

8. They are both oddly sexualized (especially for ladies).

Halloween: When you've come across a "Sexy Strip of Bacon" costume at the store, you know it's gone too far.

Christmas: Still waiting for these "Sexy Santa" lingerie sets to come with beards.

9. Spiking the punch can make both holidays considerably more interesting.

Christmas : "Oh my god Memaw PLEASE tell me what the forties were like. Hang on, let me just top you off there..."

Halloween : "I think I am finally buzzed enough to talk to Jessica Rabbit."

10. Other people will disappoint you the most on these holidays.

Christmas: "I've been your daughter for 20 whole years and you still have no idea how to shop for me?"

Halloween: You work so hard on your "dunkin' donuts" costume and everyone thinks you're a basketball playing- donut. Idiots.

11. People get the most competitive.

Halloween: It's like cosplaying at Comic Con , but with way more general social acceptance.

Christmas: There are two ways to do Christmas: Perfectly and "I am a failure that no one loves why don't I just give up."

12. Both holiday seasons bring the BEST parties

Halloween: On what other magical day can Walter White grind with Lara Croft?

Christmas: On what other magical day can Howard from Accounting grind with Janet from Sales?

*plot twist: Howard was Walter White, Janet was Lara Croft.

13. You're completely screwed if you wait 'til the last minute to prepare for these holidays.

Halloween: Wait too long and you're stuck with a costume you have to keep explaining why is good.

Christmas: Wait too long and you're stuck with a present you have to keep explaining why is good.

14. Both holidays are literally the worst days for cops.

Christmas: "Uh, we got a situation over on Main Street involving a man dressed as Santa, a monkey and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Michael Jordan . Requesting backup."

Halloween: "Fucking teenagers."

15. Children are the only real winners of both holidays...

Christmas: Class parties, butt loads of candy, getting cool stuff for free, showing off the cool stuff you got for free.

Halloween: Class parties, butt loads of candy, getting cool stuff for free, showing off the cool stuff you got for free.

16. ...Except when they're not.

Halloween: Raisins and toothbrushes when trick-or-treating, parents making you wear a jacket which will RUIN your costume, tummy aches from too much candy...

Christmas: We've all had that one childhood year of massive present disappointment. Mine was Christmas of '98. Didn't get a Furby. Still not quite over it.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Halloween — The Origin And History Of Halloween

The Origin and History of Halloween

• Categories: Halloween Party Tradition

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Words: 1523 |

Published: May 14, 2021

Words: 1523 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Table of contents

History of trick-or-treating, halloween parties, works cited.

• Browne, R. (2018). Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History. Pelican Publishing.
• Curran, B. (2019). A Haunted History of Halloween: Ghosts, Legends, and Unforgettable Tales. Sterling.
• Guiley, R. E. (2019). The Encyclopedia of Saints, Second Edition. Checkmark Books.
• Hutton, R. (2018). The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press.
• Nickell, J. (2013). The Mystery Chronicles: More Real-Life X-Files. University Press of Kentucky.
• Santino, J. (2019). Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life. University of Tennessee Press.
• Skal, D. J. (2015). Something in the Blood: The Untold Story of Bram Stoker , the Man Who Wrote Dracula. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Smith, T. (2017). Halloween in America: A Collector's Guide with Prices. Schiffer Publishing.
• Stern, J. (2017). American Rituals: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. ABC-CLIO.
• Turner, R. (2019). Halloween in the Crosshairs: Multiculturalism and the Politics of Fear in a Small Town. University of Tennessee Press.

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Christmas vs. Halloween

Holidays are a time where families can come together and celebrate things that mean a lot to them. Spending time with your family is important to folks and holidays are the perfect way to gather the whole family up to celebrate something special. Every year we have tons of fun giving and receiving from others. Being a kid, the best part of all is receiving. Whether it be candy or video games or maybe even some socks from mom, it's amazing no matter what. All holidays are exciting to me but two of my favorite are Christmas and Halloween.

But which holiday is the best? Almost all holidays have fictional characters that represent them. Let's start with Christmas. The absolute best part of Christmas for me was waiting to hear that big fat man in the red suit in my living room; Santa Clause of course! We would make "reindeer food" at school with oats and glitter and throw it in our yard at night. I remember so well throwing the food handful by handful saying each of the reindeer's names as I threw it across the grass. "Here's for you, Rudolph. ".. And this is for you Comet! " I think all kids have this image of the North Pole in their minds. I could always picture Mrs.

Clause baking and all of the elves building toys up there. It makes the idea of Christmas that much more exciting. Halloween, on the other hand, has an entirely different approach. These characters are a lot more intimidating. A great deal of these fictional characters are also followed by a scary story, like The Headless Horseman galloping on his horse looking for a new head to call his own! When I think about Halloween I think of the Hocus Pocus witches flying by on their broomsticks in the sky, ghost flying creeping around corners, black cats running across the streets, and monsters hiding underneath my bed.

Order custom essay Christmas vs. Halloween with free plagiarism report

Putting all of these characters into this holiday makes it so amusing and really keeps people on their toes. Every holiday has some kind of tradition. During Christmas time, the main tradition is to put up a Christmas tree and decorations with your family. Hanging up garland, draping ornaments up and down the tree to make it look like your own, throwing lights up on the house, placing your Christmas letters from family on top of he fireplace, dangling bows around every corner, and of course putting the final star or angel on the top of your very own Christmas tree.

To follow more tradition, we also buy and wrap gifts for our loved ones. It is a time of year that we can really show our appreciation by giving. And don't forget about that yummy Christmas dinner! So much is cooked and prepared for the dinner; turkey covered in brown gra'. y to all of the mouthwatering sides like carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans along with some homemade sweet bread rolls. It's almost like a second Thanksgiving! Halloween is not so sweet. One main tradition is finding the perfect pumpkin for you and your family and carving it together.

There's so many possibilities when carving a pumpkin because you can choose anything you woul d like. IVe seen anything from funny faces to hideous monsters. One thing people do on Halloween and the weeks before it is go to haunted houses with friends and family! There's nothing better than going into a place that is trying to scare the heebie-jeebies out of you! Most people take their children out "Trick or Treating". Kids dress up in their avorite character and go door to door to gather candy from others in their neighborhood. Halloween continues to be extremely popular with kids of all ages; 85 to 90 percent of U. S. children go trick-or-treating or engage in other Halloween festivities every year, and many adults also Join in on the fun. " (Harris) Although it has become very unsafe over the years, it is a tradition that will never die down. Kids will always want their candy! Color themes are a big part of any holiday. Christmas is celebrated with the colors green, red, and white. Green Christmas trees, red mistletoes, and white snow.

Nothing can beat these bright colors when theyre all in one decorative room together. Halloween uses more dark colors like black, purple, and orange. When you think of monsters and darkness you don't exactly think of rainbows and sunshine. Colors can affect any point of view. Nobody is going to be scared of a hot pink monster with blue polka dots! Bring on the creepy dark colors! The meaning of a holiday is what matters most. "Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by millions of people around the orld. (Wikipedia) Not only is it a time to come together as a family, but a time to come together religiously as well. To celebrate what you believe in is important to almost anyone. Halloween began to celebrate the dead. "Halloween is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows; Day. It initiates the triduum of Hallowmas, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead. " (Wikipedia) The holiday may be scary but it is meant to be a celebration for our loved ones.

In my opinion, Christmas is the best holiday . I love nothing more than to come together with my family to share gifts and love. This holiday is a very happy and cheerful holiday overall and it can really bring out the best in people. "This truly is the happiest time of the year, and a rush of excitement takes over every December. Everything seems a bit brighter this time of year, so one can never take a December day for granted. " (Bell) I celebrate it every year with the people I care most about and will carry on the tradition for as long as I can.

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