The idea of threatening people with “tricks” if treats were not given goes back to a Medieval pagan practice in Scotland, called “guising.” I mentioned above that October 31st was the end of theCeltic calendar .

The Scots and the Irish held a festival on this night to celebrate the end of the year and the harvest. The festival was called Samhain (pronounced sow-in or sau-an). People (called “guisers”) disguised themselves as evil spirits and would fill the night with song and dance to ward off the spirits. Another way to keep from getting haunted by spirits was to give “soul cakes” to the guisers who distributed them to the poor. Guisers would troll the streets using songs and dances to ask for treats and offer protection against the spirits.

Presumably, the charitable act of giving treats kept the spirits at bay. Those who refused the guisers any treats were “tricked” or playfully tormented by the costumed paraders. These tricks included “stopping up chimneys with pieces of turf, blowing smoke through keyholes, and smashing glass bottles against walls to simulate the sound of windows smashing.” – source

If you are searching for trick or treat times 2009, chances are you are going to take your children trick-or-treating tonight.  IF you are taking your children trick-or-treating, make sure to follow some important safety protocol:

1) Put reflective tape on the back of your child’s costume. This will help drivers spot your children walking down the road.

2) Go with your child trick-or treating. If you do not personally go, have them go with a trustworthy adult.

3) Inform your child not to eat anything that is not in a wrapper.  If they want to be polite, they can accept the item but then promptly throw it away.

4) Check your child’s candy to see if wrappers are intact.  IF any candy is opened, throw it away.

5) Do not allow your child to go inside of anyone’s house. If invited in, inform them to decline and run away if necessary.

Trick or treat times 2009 are bound to be a lot of fun.  Kids love receiving candy, just as adults love handing it out to all those adorable kids in costumes.  Stay safe and double check times with your local media and you should have a great time trick-or-treating this year.

More Halloween Ideas here

The Vampire Diaries is based on a novel series penned by L.J. Smith where you are given the insight into the diary of Elena Gilbert. Elena had always been a star student; beautiful, popular and involved with school and friends.

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