All Hallows' Eve, more commonly known as Halloween, is a holiday celebrated annually on the night of October 31. The modern holiday of Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. October 31, the night before Samhain, was the end of the Celtic calendar year. It was believed that on this night, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.
The tradition of leaving out food and drink for the spirits on Halloween is thought to have originated with the idea of honoring the dead. By leaving out food and drink, the Celts believed they could placate the spirits. The tradition of telling stories of the dead on All Hallows' Eve is also thought to be a way of communicating with the spirit world. It was believed that the dead could come back and haunt the living, and that by telling their stories, the living could learn from the dead.
Whether you're in the mood for trick-or-treating, attending a Halloween party, or just staying home to watch scary movies, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate All Hallows' Eve. However you choose to spend the holiday, make sure to take some time to think about the origins of this festive occasion. Check out the Halloween layouts below for some great design inspiration for your own Halloween themed page! From spooky and eerie to fun and festive, there's sure to be a layout that will fit your Halloween vision.
