Tips, Tidbits & Tricks: Halloween

- The word “Halloween” dates from the 16th century. The modern take on Halloween is influenced by the Catholic Hallowmas period of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day and the Roman festival of Feralia.

- Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion on Halloween each year.

- Dressing up in costumes probably dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Costumes were worn to disguise the living from the restless dead thought to be walking the earth.

- Haunted houses bring in $300-500 million each year.

- Trick-or-treating dates back to All Souls’ Day parade in England. Wealthier townspeople would give poor citizens pastries called soul cakes in return for their prayers for the family’s dead relatives.

- The record for the world’s largest pumpkin is 1,810.5 lbs, grown by Chris Stevens of New Richmond, Wisconsin.

Image: AP

- If you are looking for some templates for pumpkin carving, Martha Stewart has some great ones.

Stayed tuned for more Halloween fun this week on Musings from the Front Porch!