PUMPKIN TIME AT HALLOWEEN
Author: Pagan Pretorius Halloween is a favourite for many and carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and dressing in scary costumes are amoung the time-honoured Halloween traditions. Ever wondered where it all began?
The Halloween holiday originates in a pagan religious festival known as Samhain (pronounced "SAH-win"), the Celtic festival that welcomed the harvest at the end of summer, during which people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
During the eighth century, Pope Gregory III proclaimed November 01st to be St. Nicholas Day. Soon after, the traditions associated with Samhain became part of All Saints Day but before that, it was known as Hallows Eve and later as Halloween. 

There are many fun activities to participate in on Halloween, but let's be honest, carving the Jack-o-lantern is one of the best.

The tradition of carving Jack-o'-Lanterns began in Ireland, where turnips were used instead of pumpkins. It is allegedly based on a legend about a man named Stingy Jack. The inspiration for this allegedly belongs to a man named Stingy Jack.
Let's look at what is needed to find the right pumpkin for the job.

Colour: Look for a pumpkin that has a deep orange colour.

Give it a Thump: Knock on the pumpkin to check that it is hollow (and therefore ripe). Use a fingernail and gently push your thumbnail into the skin; it should dent but not puncture it.

What to do with pumpkin guts:  Everything inside your pumpkin can be recycled or used. Pumpkin innards, the stringy orange mess you scoop out with a spoon ahead of carving, can be pureed for cooking in soups, and the pumpkin seeds can quickly be roasted.

Jack-o-lanterns are not the only characters you can carve from pumpkins; cats, bats and other scary faces are just as fun and equally scary. Get creative!

For those looking to try something a little more 'tricky', take your pumpkin carving skills to the next level by exploring more intricate ideas. Whether it's impaled fence pumpkins or carvings based on your favourite movies, such as Harry Potter and Star Wars, there's bound to be a jack-o'-lantern you'll love.
If pumpkin carving is not your thing, don't fret, there's more to do. Let's look at other fun activities with your friends and family.
• Bobbing for apples
• Watching scary movies
• Dressing up as your favourite character
• Baking scary treats
• Halloween pizzas (the healthy kind)
• Trick or treating – (when safe to do so)
• Candy apples
Halloween allows us to explore our fears in a safe environment and violate social norms for one night of the year. It's a chance for us to take on a disguise, let go of our inhibitions and celebrate what scares us. When people experience something spine-chilling or spooky together, they can feel closer.
Happy Halloween!