The Spooktacular History of Trick or Treating
As you venture into the world of Halloween, the next time you say, "Trick or Treat," remember you're joining a long line of brave souls who faced the unknown! Embrace the history, embrace the spookiness, and most importantly, embrace the fun!
From all of us at The Vintage Toy Box, have a hauntingly good Halloween, and may your Trick or Treating be filled with more treats than tricks! Shop now and take 20% off everything storewide until midnight 31st October, and have a treat on us.
Greetings, brave souls and adventurous trick-or-treaters! As you prepare your costumes, decorate your pumpkins, and prepare to count your candy stashes, have you ever wondered where the mysterious tradition of "Trick or Treating" comes from? Well, wonder no more as we're about to embark on a chilling journey through the history of this beloved Halloween pastime!
The Ghostly Origins
Long, long ago, in the misty Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, there was a festival called Samhain (pronounced Sow-in). Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. People believed that during this time, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and spirits roamed the earth.
To appease these restless spirits, folks would set out "treats" in the form of food and drinks. They believed that by doing so, the spirits would be kind and protect them from any spooky tricks.
As Samhain traditions blended with Christianity and evolved into what we now know as Halloween, the practice of dressing up in costumes emerged. People believed that disguising themselves as ghouls or ghosts would allow them to hide from any vengeful spirits lurking about.
Modern-Day Halloween
The phrase "Trick or Treat" finally emerged in North America in the early 20th century. However, back then, the "trick" part was a bit more ominous. If you didn't provide a "treat," mischievous kids would play pranks, like soaping windows or tipping over outhouses.
Today, we celebrate Halloween with pumpkins, costumes, and, of course, the beloved Trick or Treating. But remember, it's not just about the candy. It's about spreading joy, making memories, and, yes, being just a little bit spooky!
Spooky Halloween Costumes
Let’s face it, what is Halloween without the perfect spooky costume? If you're tired of the same old witches and ghosts, here are some unique and spooktacular costume ideas to make your Trick or Treating adventure truly one-of-a-kind:
Time-Traveling Explorer
Don your explorer hat, grab a vintage map, and turn into a daring time-traveler! Will you discover lost civilizations or journey to the future? This costume is a perfect blend of history and adventure.
Mythical Creature
Unleash your inner mythical beast! From majestic unicorns to mischievous leprechauns, there are countless mythical creatures to choose from. Craft colorful wings, don a horned headband, and let your imagination run wild.
Mad Scientist
Embrace your inner genius with a mad scientist costume. Grab some lab goggles, a white coat, and a crazy hairstyle (or wig). Don't forget a bubbling beaker filled with colorful "experiments."
Space Explorer
Blast off into outer space as an astronaut or an alien. Grab a silver jumpsuit, a helmet, and some glow-in-the-dark face paint. Trick or Treating is your intergalactic mission!
Optical Illusion
Mystify your friends with an optical illusion costume. Paint a second face on the back of your head, or create a "hole in your body." These costumes are sure to turn heads!
Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your imagination run wild. So, pick a unique costume that speaks to your heart and makes this Halloween an unforgettable adventure. Trick or Treat with style and flair!
Tricks for Halloween Trick or Treating
While Trick or Treating is all about the costumes and treats, a little harmless trickery can add a dash of fun to your Halloween adventure. Here are some playful tricks to consider:
Ghostly Giggles
Carry a small, friendly ghost prop with you. As you approach a house, give your best ghostly howl and let the ghost "float" towards the candy bowl. It's sure to get a few chuckles!
The Mummy's Riddle
Wrap a candy in a layer of white cloth (to look like mummy wrappings) and attach a little riddle to it. When you receive your treats, hand out these mysterious mummies with a challenge. If the homeowner solves the riddle, you share a laugh and a treat!
Silly Knock-Knock Jokes
Before they open the door, prepare a couple of lighthearted knock-knock jokes. Once the door is ajar, deliver your joke, and watch as their laughter turns into a treat-filled smile!
Charades Challenge
Before receiving your treats, act out a Halloween-themed word or phrase without speaking. Can they guess what you're trying to convey? It adds an element of surprise and fun to the tradition.
Knock on Wood
If you have a wooden instrument like a xylophone, bring it along and play a quick, eerie tune before you receive your candy. It's like a mini Halloween concert!
Remember, these tricks are all in good fun and should be done with kindness and a smile. After all, the aim is to spread the Halloween spirit and share a few laughs along the way. Happy Trick or Treating, you little trickster! 🎃👻🍬
So, young adventurers, as you venture into the world of Halloween, carry this knowledge with you; the next time you say, "Trick or Treat," you're joining a long line of brave souls who faced the unknown! Embrace the history, embrace the spookiness, and most importantly, embrace the fun!
From all of us at The Vintage Toy Box, have a hauntingly good Halloween, and may your Trick or Treating be filled with more treats than tricks! Shop now and take 20% off everything storewide until midnight 31st October, and have a treat on us.
100 Days until Christmas | Shop Online with AfterPay
Sadly our amazing Canberra toy shop in the wonderful Dirty Janes in Fyshwick remains closed for a little while longer as the ACT Lockdown is extended again until October 15th. Whilst we completely understand that everyone needs to stay safe, we’re really missing our space of joy, and you, our customers, and can’t wait until we can re-open again and share the happiness and spread lots of (much needed!) fun and laughter.
We also can’t ignore the fact that Christmas is fast approaching, and will be upon us in …. 100 days!!! Argh! That’s faster than a rocket hurtling towards the moon!
So, although our bricks and mortar shop remains closed, we have been super busy behind the scenes, stocking up for Christmas (it’s going to be a big one!), making up fabulous new Stocking Filler Packs, and bringing you new ways to pay to spread the cost. We’ve certainly been making the most of our lockdown time, so that when we do re-open our physical doors, we’re ready for you!!
Our elves have been squirreling away your favourites, the Christmas classics, and huge amounts of fun toys and games for the whole family to enjoy. We also have been putting our time to good use, hunting down some fabulous new ranges of beautiful heirloom soft toys, unusual and traditional games, and fantastic new puzzles!
Do not despair though, whilst our Fyshwick toy store may be physically closed, you can still shop safely with us in a variety of easy ways …
From the comfort of your own home in our online toy store. Browse toys by Category, browse toys by age, browse toys by Brand, search for toys… however you want to browse our huge range of toys, games and puzzles, we have you covered! Shop anytime, anywhere with ease and pay securely - just choose the method at checkout that suits you best:
Visa, MasterCard and American Express through our secure payment system Stripe.
Paypal Pay in 4 for all purchases over $30.
Choose the option that’s right for you and split your payment, interest free, allowing you to enjoy your purchases sooner, and spread the cost of Christmas.
Seen something you love on our Instagram feed? Click and collect from Dirty Janes Canberra. Just text Dirty Janes on 0411 827 488 quoting Shop Number 531, and let them know what you need, and where you need it, and they’ll give you a call to make it yours.
Can’t decide? We’ve done the hard work for you and put together these amazing stocking filler bundles, packed to the brim with our best selling classic toys and games. Perfect for kids, and adults alike. Unwrap and fill a stocking with these family favourites, or gift as is in our beautifully gift wrapped boxes. Ideal for stocking filers, Secret Santa gifts, or gifts for Grandma and Grandad, guaranteed to bring back lots of happy memories of yesteryear!
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? In the very rare event that this might happen, we’ve also got you covered there too, with our super-duper gift vouchers, which any recipient young or old will just love. Make someone’s day, and let them choose for themselves.
What more could you want? Let us know, and we’ll do our very best to make it happen!
Christmas Shopping | Festive Fun | Moss Vale Festive Foraging
Late night shopping and festive fun is coming again this Christmas to Moss Vale, thanks to The Vintage Toy Box and the Moss Vale Independent Retail Association.
Late night shopping and festive fun is coming again this Christmas to Moss Vale, thanks to The Vintage Toy Box and the Moss Vale Independent Retail Association.
On Thursday 12 December between 4 pm and 9pm, Argyle Street and surrounds is going to stay up late as part of Moss Vale Festive Foraging.
Not only will this be a chance to meet Santa and sing along with our local carollers and the Wingecarribee Vocal Musters, but it will be a fantastic opportunity to pick up some exclusive offers from participating outlets.
Best of all, lucky ‘foragers’ who follow the Christmas map and collect the 12 Christmas stamps in any of the participating businesses will go into the draw to win a Festive Forager prize pack on the night, from a total prize pool of $3000.
The prize will be drawn at the Southern Highlands Brewing & Taphouse in Moss Vale at 9pm on Thursday 12th December 2019.
We are delighted to be able to showcase some fantastic local talents, with entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, and throughout the Foraging Trail from:
Wingecarribee Vocal Muster (Outside Suzie Anderson Home)
Pointe Dynamic Arts (Leighton Gardens)
Moss Vale Anglican Street Carol Singers (Upper Argyle)
Chaszenry (Outside Mossy Store)
Joyce Dingjan (Outside Moss Vale Mall)
White Waratah Face Painting (Leighton Gardens)
and of course … Santa and Mrs Clause who will be putting on an appearance throughout the evening!
As well as many other special treats, there will be a special prize on the night from The Vintage Toy Box for the best dressed Christmas outfit in the theme of ‘The 12 days of Christmas’, so come in your festive finery!
There will be plenty of places to grab a bite to eat, and something for all palates, with the following participating outlets open on the night:
Wine Mosaic Lounge (upstairs and downstairs!)
As well as many more, and treats in Leighton Gardens from:
Shoppers will also get the chance to vote on the Best Dressed Christmas Window on the evening, with the People’s Choice Winner winning this fantastic business prize pack:
2 hours FREE legal advice for the winning business, to a value of $1,100 from Palmer Legal.
1 months FREE advertising on ALL of their electronic advertising boards from BDCU Alliance Bank
$200 advertising boost from University of Woolongong Southern Highlands Campus in Moss Vale
All Moss Vale CBD Business with a window are eligible to enter. The winner will be the business with the most votes at the end of the evening and will be announced at 9pm as part of the Festive Foraging Prize Draw.
Some of our retailers will be offering a special gift wrapping service for a gold coin donation. This year we are getting behind the NSW RFS and will be donating your donations to them for all of the great work that they are doing for all of us. Look out for the gift wrap signs!
Spread the word and get the whole family down for an evening of festive fun and frivolity!
Follow #festiveforagingmossvale on Instagram for updates.
Happy foraging!
Plan your route in advance with our interactive Festive Foraging Map showing the participating businesses on our Festive Forage Trail.
NSW Permit No. LTPS/19/39653
For further information visit: https://www.facebook.com/MossValeIndependentRetailAssociation/