Door-to-Door Halloween Treats...THEN & NOW
Halloween is fast approaching, and trick-or-treaters have been excited about it for weeks! Near and far, kids will scope out businesses and special events on Halloween for delicious treats, while many will keep to the tradition of going door-to-door. Trick or treating, or "mummin" as remembered by many locals growing up, dates back to 16th century Scotland and Ireland. Over the years, it was considered "guising" because children would go house to house disguised in costume seeking food or money. In North America, the art of "guising" became popular in 1911 and eventually earned the name trick or treating. From a pagan ritual to a light-hearted festive party described in Roger's Tricking Halloween, the concept of acquiring goodies on this special night and then devouring the sweet treats for days has remained the same over the years. However, the main difference is that many of the HALLOWEEN TREATS that are popular now didn't exist years ago, and vice versa.
If you grew up in the early 70s, common treats to make their way to your Halloween bag were popcorn balls, Cracker Jacks, Ring Pops that you could wear as jewelry, Bottle Caps (the root beer ones were the best), Pop Rocks that crackled and popped in your mouth, Necco Wafers, Zotz, and those d*mn candy wax lips and teeth that I admittingly chewed like a stick of gum moments after displaying them on my face. Occasionally, we would come across "that one neighbor" who thought it would be cool to pitch a can of soda on top of our beloved candy or throw in a caramel apple wrapped in wax paper. I even received a can of green beans in my Halloween bag one year. Looking back, it was certainly more of a trick than a treat for a youngster. Who knows what that was about? The bean giver must have been in a mood or did it for shock value. At that age, you didn't question the treat; you just made sure to continue to the next house and hope for the best.
