Halloween
Tradition of Trick or Treating
The Tradition of Trick or Treating
Trick-or-Treating dates back to the early All Souls' Day parade in England where poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them "soul cakes" in return for their prayers for the family's dead relatives. The giving of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the leaving of food and wine for the spirits on Halloween. This was called "going a-souling", and the children eventually took it up by going from house to house asking for "treats". They began asking for things such as ale, money, or food. Over time the "treats" evolved to candy.