Category: Halloween
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Trick-or-Treating Gone Wrong.
Read more: Trick-or-Treating Gone Wrong.There is a special place in my heart for trick-or-treating. Hanging out with friends, sneaking off to the rich neighborhoods to get better candy, and hoping mom and dad find a razor blade in one of the apples I received while inspecting every item in my bag. I drank the two cans of beer I…
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Stitches and Buttons
Read more: Stitches and ButtonsToday, after finishing some studies and a meeting with my business partner, we had an interesting experience which happened towards the end of our grave explorations. The story does not start here, as we were tricked by our funny, mischievous, and ghostly mascot, “Stitches.” This is not the first time I have encountered unusual circumstances…
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Rich Autumn Rituals
Read more: Rich Autumn RitualsHalloween, as a holiday, originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in regions in Ireland and Scotland over 2,000 years ago to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, when it was believed the boundary between the living and the dead thinned. The American tradition of Halloween evolved…
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Yen and Superstitions
Read more: Yen and SuperstitionsWe’ve all heard stories about good luck charms, from a rabbit’s foot to a four-leaf clover. But imagine if a coin in your wallet or a piece of change in your new car was thought to bring good fortune. In Japan, this isn’t just a tale; it’s a common belief tied to the humble 5…
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The Disappearing Stairs in Kansas
Read more: The Disappearing Stairs in KansasIn Kansas, two ghost stories are considered the most frightening: Sallie House in Atchison and the legends surrounding the Stull Cemetery. While Stull has an urban legend of being a “gateway to hell,” the Sallie House features decades of documented, escalating paranormal violence and demonic overtones, making it arguable the scariest ghost story in the state. The…
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Hoof Prints and Screams
Read more: Hoof Prints and ScreamsThe scariest donkey-related ghost story is the legend of the Donkey Lady Bridge in San Antonio, Texas. It is an urban legend with several unsettling variations, all of which culminate in a horrifying fate for the central character. Her ghost, a half-human, half-donkey figure, is said to haunt a bridge on Old Applewhite Road. The most cited…
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Folklore Education Sessions
Read more: Folklore Education SessionsLocal libraries can play a significant role in organizing and hosting Folklore Education Sessions by leveraging their position as trusted community hubs. They can provide space, resources, and outreach to facilitate interactive storytelling and partnerships with local experts. Host and Curate Programs Partner with Community Experts Provide and Promote Resources
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Nickols and Dimes – Educational Treats for a Smarter Education.
Read more: Nickols and Dimes – Educational Treats for a Smarter Education.Money was offered to children during early forms of trick-or-treating in the United States and has deeper roots in medieval European “souling” traditions. However, nickels and dimes became a prominent feature of Halloween starting in 1950 with the launch of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. The practice of giving money to individual trick-or-treaters generally declined…
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Scary Culture Trends; But For Who?
Read more: Scary Culture Trends; But For Who?Based on current trends for Halloween 2025, drawn from global cultural revivals, educational initiatives, and a shift toward authentic historical practices, here are the top 10 categories to focus on for 2026 economics. These examples emphasize learning original traditions from Celtic origins and worldwide equivalents, such as harvest festivals and ancestor veneration, while promoting sustainability…
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Halloween: Cultivating Creativity and Community Spirit
Read more: Halloween: Cultivating Creativity and Community SpiritThe story of Halloween demonstrates to children that cultures are dynamic and evolve over time. Developing empathy and emotional intelligence Learning about Halloween’s past can help children grow emotionally by normalizing complex feelings. The historical context of Halloween encourages children’s creativity and reinforces the importance of community.