Halloween, a holiday synonymous with spooky fun and delicious treats, has evolved over centuries from ancient rituals to the candy-centric celebration we know today. While it’s a day dedicated to ghosts, ghouls, and trick-or-treating, the connection between Halloween and candy—especially chocolate—took centuries to develop. Let’s take a journey through the history of Halloween and its transformation into the sweetest day on the calendar.
Ancient Origins of Halloween
Halloween’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on October 31. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, and spirits roamed the earth. To ward off these spirits, people would light bonfires and wear costumes to disguise themselves from any malevolent ghosts. This festival also marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter, a time associated with death.
As Christianity spread across Europe, the church incorporated elements of Samhain into their own celebrations. All Saints’ Day (or All Hallows' Day) was established on November 1 to honour saints and martyrs, and the night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve—eventually, Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a community-centred event, where ghost stories, games, and, later, costumes became part of the celebration.
The Beginnings of Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating, the hallmark of modern Halloween, has roots in medieval European traditions. During All Souls' Day (celebrated on November 2), the poor would go door to door offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for food, a practice called souling. In some places, children would go "guising," dressing in costumes and reciting songs, poems, or jokes in return for gifts of food or money.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these traditions were transported to North America by Irish and Scottish immigrants. In the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween became more structured in the U.S., as communities hosted parades and parties for children and adults alike. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the familiar “trick-or-treat” phrase truly took off, thanks to a combination of post-war suburban development and baby boom culture.
The Rise of Candy in Halloween
While Halloween had become a community-focused holiday by the mid-20th century, the link between Halloween and candy wasn’t fully cemented until the 1950s. Before that, children were often given homemade treats, like popcorn balls, cookies, or fruit, when they went trick-or-treating.
So, how did candy become the star of Halloween? The answer lies in post-war American culture. With the rise of consumerism and mass production, candy manufacturers saw an opportunity to market small, individually wrapped treats as the perfect Halloween giveaway. In the 1950s, companies like Hershey’s, Mars, and Nestlé began to heavily promote their products for the holiday. By the 1970s, individually wrapped candies became the go-to treat for trick-or-treaters, largely due to concerns about tampered homemade items.
Chocolate: Halloween's Main Attraction
Although all types of candy are handed out on Halloween, chocolate has long been the favourite treat. In fact, chocolate bars like Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate consistently rank among the top candies handed out each Halloween.
The love affair between Halloween and chocolate isn’t surprising. Chocolate is indulgent, rich, and, quite simply, irresistible. The first chocolate bars were introduced in the early 1900s, but their rise in popularity coincided with the development of candy-centric holidays like Halloween. As chocolate became more affordable and accessible, it became the ultimate trick-or-treat treasure.
Candy Consumption Today
Today, Halloween is the largest candy-consuming holiday in the U.S. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend over $3 billion on Halloween candy every year, with nearly 600 million pounds of candy being purchased for the holiday. Of all the candies sold, chocolate remains the top choice, accounting for about 68% of all Halloween candy purchases.
Conclusion
What began as an ancient festival to ward off spirits has become a night of costumes, fun, and, most importantly, candy. Over the decades, Halloween has been shaped by cultural shifts, commercialization, and a growing love for all things sweet. Chocolate and candy are now essential to the celebration, filling children’s bags and delighting adults alike. Whether you prefer a caramel-filled chocolate bar or a handful of candy corn, Halloween is the perfect excuse to indulge in all your favourite treats.
Celebrate a grown up Halloween with Charley's Chocolate his year!