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Holding the number two niche among secular holidays celebrated in the United States is Halloween. Did all this spring from bobbing for apples and getting dressed in make-believe costumes as a child?

Children grow up, but the potential for a major theme party was rooted while young, before we knew the history and symbolism connected with the day's observation. It is now big business in the United States. Estimates are that more than five billion dollars will be spent on Halloween costumes alone this year, in addition to candy, cards, home décor and party entertainment.

Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, observed on October 31, and associated with death and the spirits of the dead. The Catholic Church later adopted the day and renamed it All Hallow's Eve on the eve of All Saints Day celebrated on November 1. While Halloween's religious significance has left us with ghosts of the departed, it has become a secular celebration populated with scary monsters and mythical creatures.

Many of today's traditions were imported to the United States with the great Irish migrations of the mid-1800's at the time of the potato famines. The Irish brought their All Hallow's Eve occult roots to the United States, especially the associations with the colors of black and orange, the witch and the cauldron and the Jack-o'-lantern to ward off evil spirits. Masks and costumes reflect the Celtic custom of trying to disguise themselves from evil spirits or pacify them. An amalgam of traditions has merged into the Halloween we celebrate today.

The popular Halloween party gives everyone a chance to play another role, scary or not – and wearing black is always chic, if one is adverse to role-playing or either short on imagination or time. For the hostess, it is an opportunity to try out fun food and thematic decor – and to use lots of pumpkins. A rundown of the local pastry shops (one of our favorite sources) indicate that all have cookies and cakes decorated with ghosts, pumpkins and all the traditional symbols of the day. Martha Stewart's website has great ideas, including suggestions for everything from cutout stencils for pumpkins, templates for cupcake decoration to patterns for costumes. Yes, there is a halloweenmovie.com, where one can easily find Dracula, Frankenstein and the Addams Family, to name only a few of the genre to embellish the theme. Suffice it to say, Halloween celebrations have become more lavish in recent years.

We have more than one Dallas florist who specializes in outdoor house décor, and the host and hostess may certainly want to consider the visual impact of the guests' arrival at their party. With pumpkins and colorful fall colors, we speculate that the Halloween décor is good though Thanksgiving, minus the ghosts floating from trees and spider webs among the plants.

Halloween is on a Sunday this year, with a weekend giving so many more options for activities. Yours might even be the opportunity for a "destination celebration" to get the maximum holiday effect. So where in the world do you go to enjoy one of the most exciting Halloween activities ever? Romania might do for a visit to Dracula's castle, or Mexico City for a Day of the Dead observation. New York City, of course, has one of the attractions that oft make the list of the top 100 things to do in life. The Village Halloween Parade, now in its 37th year, draws the most imaginative display of floats, circus acts, dancers, puppeteers and marching bands, as well as any individual in costume who wants to join along. There is everything to be seen, both in the parade and among the on-lookers. And anything goes! We have been there to witness the scene.

The Village Halloween Parade, which takes place on the big day itself, is a huge, exciting draw. Estimates are that more than fifty thousand people participate in the parade, and more than two million people watch it along the route. If you go, be sure to arrive early for the seven to ten o'clock spectacle. Better yet, find a friend with an apartment or office overlooking the route along Sixth Avenue, starting at Spring Street and going up to 21st Street.

However you spend Halloween, get into the spirit and enjoy the frivolity! Let us know how you spend the day. Perhaps we can use your party photos next year.

Our food-related event calendar is full this month with major happenings, most of which benefit worthy causes.

Indulge us!
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