Halloween
Halloween

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The easy way to celebrate Halloween the artisanal way

Main image courtesy of Jon Tyson on Unsplash

The history of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), which was celebrated on October 31st. The Celts, who lived in regions that are now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, marked this day as the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. They believed that on the night of Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to earth. To ward off these spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes made of animal skins, hoping to confuse or scare away wandering ghosts.

With the spread of Christianity in the early Middle Ages, the church sought to replace pagan traditions with Christian holidays. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. Many of the old pagan traditions persisted, such as dressing in costumes and carving turnips into lanterns—a practice that later evolved into pumpkin carving.

In the 19th century, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought Halloween traditions to North America, where the holiday grew in popularity. Over time, it transformed into a community-centered celebration with parties, trick-or-treating, and festive foods. 

By choosing to support artisans during Halloween, you’re helping to foster creativity, keep traditional crafts alive, and reduce the environmental impact of mass production.

Supporting artisans during Halloween is a wonderful way to add unique touches to your celebrations while also contributing to local economies and sustainable practices. Artisans, with their creative skills and craftsmanship, offer a wide range of handmade products that can elevate the Halloween experience, from decor to costumes and treats.

One way to support artisans is by purchasing handcrafted decorations. Instead of mass-produced items, consider buying hand-painted pumpkins, handmade candles like those from Petit Caprice, or  intricately carved wooden ornaments. These pieces often reflect a deeper level of artistry and detail, adding character and charm to your Halloween setup. Supporting local crafters also ensures that your decorations are one-of-a-kind, giving your home or party a special touch.

Halloween recipes

Halloween is a time for creativity, and what better way to get into the spooky spirit than with delicious, themed recipes? From creepy sweets to savory treats, Halloween recipes offer a chance to blend festive fun with culinary skill, whether you're hosting a party or simply enjoying a cozy night in.

Sweet Treats

1. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes: Pumpkin is synonymous with Halloween, and pumpkin spice cupcakes are a classic way to celebrate. Made with pureed pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cupcakes are warm and comforting. Topped with cream cheese frosting dyed orange or green, they can be decorated with candy eyes, plastic spiders, or ghost-shaped toppers. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a touch of sophistication to the sweetness.

2. Monster Cookies: These colorful cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike. Using a standard chocolate chip cookie dough as a base, add candy-coated chocolates and googly candy eyes to create playful, monster-like faces. The dough can be tinted with food coloring to create vibrant colors like green, purple, or orange. When baked, the cookies spread into monster shapes, each with its own quirky personality.

3. Caramel Apples: A traditional autumn treat, caramel apples are perfect for Halloween. Granny Smith apples are dipped in melted caramel and then rolled in toppings like crushed nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles. To make them extra spooky, you can drizzle dark chocolate over the caramel to create a "web" effect or use candy eyes to turn them into caramel "monsters." This classic recipe is both nostalgic and delicious, making it a crowd-pleaser at Halloween gatherings.

4. Ghost Meringues: For a lighter option, ghost meringues make for an elegant yet spooky dessert. Whip up egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form, then pipe the mixture into ghost shapes on a baking sheet. Once baked until crispy, use melted chocolate to create eyes and a mouth. These airy, sweet treats are great as a standalone dessert or as toppers for cakes and cupcakes.

Savory Delights

1. Mummy Hot Dogs: These are a fun and simple Halloween snack that kids love. Wrap strips of puff pastry around hot dogs, leaving gaps for "eyes." After baking until golden brown, add dots of mustard or ketchup to create eyes, making the hot dogs look like mummies. Serve them with a side of ketchup or mustard for dipping, and you've got a spooky snack that’s perfect for a Halloween party or family movie night.

2. Spooky Stuffed Peppers: Add a Halloween twist to stuffed peppers by carving them like mini jack-o'-lanterns. Cut faces into orange bell peppers, then fill them with a mixture of rice, ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is bubbly. The carved faces peek out as the filling settles, making these both delicious and fun to present. They're a great option for a Halloween dinner, offering a hearty dish that embraces the season's spirit.

Drinks and Punches

1. Vampire Punch: No Halloween party is complete without a themed drink. Vampire punch is a fun option, blending cranberry juice, lemonade, and sparkling water for a refreshing, blood-red beverage. For an adult version, add a splash of vodka or rum. Freeze gummy worms or plastic spiders in ice cubes to add an extra creepy touch, or garnish with blood-orange slices for a dramatic flair.

2. Witch’s Potion Smoothies: Green smoothies can become "witch’s potions" with a little imagination. Blend spinach, banana, apple juice, and a touch of honey until smooth, and pour into clear glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with green sugar crystals. For a fun twist, add gummy worms crawling out of the glass for a touch of Halloween grossness.

Fun Halloween-Themed Appetizers

1. Deviled Egg Eyeballs: Deviled eggs can be turned into eerie eyeballs with a bit of creativity. Mix the yolk with mayonnaise and mustard as usual, then add green or blue food coloring to the filling. Use a slice of black olive for the "pupil" and drizzle thin lines of red food coloring to create "bloodshot veins." These appetizers are perfect for adding a creepy touch to your Halloween spread.

2. Cheesy Breadstick Bones: Breadsticks can be shaped into bone-like forms for a savory Halloween treat. Roll out pizza dough and cut it into strips, then twist the ends to form bone shapes. Sprinkle with garlic and cheese before baking until golden. Serve with marinara sauce as "blood" for dipping, making these a fun and interactive snack.

Halloween

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