A handmade event for families and children to enjoy on Halloween

Halloween in Japan has two sides: a commercialized costume event and a homemade Halloween event that families enjoy together.

Flashy costume parades are popular among young people, especially in urban areas like Shibuya and Roppongi.

On the other hand, the style of enjoying it at home has also become more widespread recently.
There are now an increasing number of events where families make handmade decorations together and enjoy Halloween food and sweets with their children.

In this way, Halloween is becoming more diverse in Japan, and even people who don't participate in commercial events have more options for enjoying it at home.

In particular, many families are embracing Halloween as an opportunity to deepen communication between parents and children, focusing on handicrafts and making it fun and inexpensive.

When celebrating Halloween at home, decorations mainly use orange and pumpkins, allowing you to enjoy the blessings of nature and the feeling of the autumn season.

Halloween is a great way for families to spend time working together and deepen their bonds.

Halloween is not just about dressing up; it is also a good opportunity for children to learn about different cultures .

Discussing the meaning of Halloween and its historical background together as a parent and child will make the event even more enjoyable.

The origins of Halloween date back to the ancient Celtic people about 2000 years ago.

The ancient Celts were an Indo-European ethnic group that spread across Europe from around 1000 BC.

They were mainly from what is now Ireland, Scotland, Wales,
They lived mainly in the Gaul region of France.

Celtic culture had its own language, religion, social structure and is also known for its art and metalwork.
The Celts were also known as warriors and often fought against the Roman Empire and other European nations.

Their influence eventually diminished due to Roman rule and the advance of Germanic tribes, but elements of Celtic culture remain strong in places such as Ireland and Scotland.

The Celts lived in what is now Ireland, Scotland and Wales and believed that their year ended on October 31st .

This day is called Samhain and is a celebration of the harvest, as well as the belief that spirits return to the earth with the onset of winter .

The Celts were active in Gaul (present-day France) as one of their major bases.

The reason why the Celts were distributed to unconnected territories (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Gaul) was

This is due to their mobility and use of maritime transport, as well as their highly adaptable cultural characteristics.

Although Celtic culture spread over a wide area, it managed to retain its local characteristics and traces of it can still be seen today.

During the Samhain festival, villagers light bonfires, dress up in costumes and perform rituals to ward off evil spirits .

The reason they dressed up was to make the spirits think they were their friends and to prevent them from harming them .

This tradition evolved into the modern Halloween costume culture .

Also, the custom of making food offerings and leaving food in front of the house for the spirits began around this time.

Modern Halloween became popular in America when Irish immigrants brought it with them in the 19th century .

It was then commercialized in the United States, where the custom of children enjoying trick-or-treating and the culture of decorating homes became established.

However, at its core it is a spiritual ritual performed by the ancient Celts as a sign of respect for nature and spirits.

Learning this history as a family and teaching your children the original meaning of Halloween can help make it more than just a festival.

Halloween has a very educational element to it, as it marks the harvest season and changes in nature, and is also an opportunity to learn about ancient cultures and beliefs.

By taking the time to research and discuss Halloween together as a family, parents and children will be able to share the deep cultural background of Halloween with the whole family.

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, and its cultural background is deeply rooted in the respect for the dead .

This concept is similar to the Japanese Obon festival and festivals celebrating the changing of the seasons, and common elements can be found between the two.

It is particularly interesting to note that they share the common custom of offering gratitude to ancestors and spirits while being conscious of natural turning points.

For the Celts , Samhain was an important event marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter , and it was believed that spirits returned to the earthly world at this time.

On the other hand, the Japanese Obon festival is also an event to welcome the spirits of ancestors, and both have the theme of communicating with spirits.

However, while the Celts feared these spirits and dressed up to prevent evil spirits from harming them, the Japanese emphasize welcoming their ancestors and giving thanks to them.

Also, while the pumpkin lantern (Jack-o'-lantern) is the symbol of Halloween, in Japan there is no clear symbol like the pumpkin. However, there are many rituals and events that use seasonal plants and decorations .

For example, rice plants and lanterns are often used as important items to welcome ancestors.

This demonstrates the respect for nature and the respect for spirits that both cultures have.

Although Halloween and Japanese festivals are similar in their underlying theme of welcoming spirits, there are clear differences in approach and purpose.

Halloween began as a ritual to ward off evil spirits , but in modern times it has become all about fun and dressing up.

On the other hand, the Japanese Obon festival is a festival to express gratitude to ancestors and has a stronger religious and spiritual significance.

Discussing these cultural differences and similarities as a family and explaining the meaning of Halloween to your children is also important in terms of intercultural understanding.

Enjoying Halloween as a family can be a great opportunity to broaden your horizons by learning about the differences and similarities with your own culture .

Today, the most well-known symbol of Halloween is the Jack-o'-lantern .

In many homes, pumpkins are carved and decorated with lanterns with painted faces, but in fact pumpkins were not used in the origins of Halloween.

Originally potatoes and turnips were used.

Learning about this surprising history will help you understand the deeper background of Halloween.

Halloween originated from the festival of Samhain , an ancient Celtic ritual in which people used crops to light a fire to ward off evil spirits .

In Celtic cultures such as Ireland and Scotland, it was believed that hollowing out turnips and potatoes, which were commonly grown at the time, and placing them outside the house would ward off spirits.

This practice was later brought to America by immigrants.

Irish immigrants to America began using pumpkins instead of turnips and potatoes.

Pumpkins are grown in abundance in America, and because of their size and ease of handling, they naturally became a symbol of Halloween.

In America in particular, pumpkins began to be used for Halloween, coinciding with the autumn harvest festival , and now they have become known around the world as "Jack-o'-lanterns."

The meaning behind Jack-o'-lanterns is also an interesting anecdote.

It comes from the legend that a character in Irish folk tales named Jack tricked the devil and was not allowed to go to heaven or hell after death, so he was given a coal by the devil and had to wander the earth in a turnip.

This story of Jack is also connected to the motif of the face on the modern lantern, and his appearance remains a traditional symbol of Halloween .

Making a homemade jack-o'-lantern as a family while learning about this background is a great way to have fun.

Rather than simply carving a pumpkin, learning about its history and stories before carving it will make Halloween feel even more special.

Children can also learn about the fascinating world of different cultures and stories through this experience.

Halloween has vastly different meanings and cultures in Europe and America.

In Europe , Halloween has traditionally had a religious significance and has continued as an event to honour the dead.

Meanwhile, Halloween was brought to America by Irish immigrants in the 19th century, and gradually became commercialized, eventually becoming associated with the large-scale events and consumer culture we know today.

Halloween in Europe was originally heavily influenced by Christianity in many countries and is closely associated with All Saints' Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd.

This period is a day to commemorate deceased saints and believers, and is centered around religious events such as prayers and visiting graves .

For this reason, Halloween is celebrated with a sense of reverence for spirits and the dead, and its religious significance remains strong even today.

On the other hand, Halloween in America became rapidly commercialized in the 20th century, with an emphasis on trick-or-treating and costume parties .

The Halloween custom brought by Irish immigrants spread throughout America, and a commercial element was added, leading to a boom in the sales of candy and costumes aimed at children.

In modern America, Halloween has a strong entertainment element and has taken root as a large-scale event enjoyed by family and friends.

As such, there are big differences between Halloween in Europe and America in terms of religion and commerce , but both are events that have evolved through the blending of tradition and modern culture.

Halloween is still celebrated quietly in many parts of Europe , but in areas where Celtic culture remains, it still retains a strong sense of sacred ritual.

Meanwhile, in America , influenced by movies, television and advertising, Halloween has become a major entertainment event , with towns filled with costumes and decorations.

Learning about these differences as a family and discussing the religious background and commercial developments can help families better understand modern Halloween.

For children in particular, it is not just a chance to receive sweets, but also a good opportunity to learn about cultural and historical differences.

Halloween is now known as simply a costume event and candy-giving celebration, but there is a deeper cultural meaning behind it.

As you enjoy Halloween as a family, you can teach your children about it not just as an event, but as a way to learn about its history and cultural significance .

First of all, Halloween is an ancient Celtic tradition that evolved from a ritual called Samhain.

This ritual marked the end of summer and the arrival of winter, a sacred time that marked a turning point in nature and a blurring of the boundary between the spirit world and the earthly world.

In modern times, the symbolic pumpkin lanterns and costumes have become widespread, but knowing its origins can help children understand the deeper meaning of Halloween.

Learning about different cultures while enjoying Halloween as a family can be especially educational.

For example, the ideas behind Halloween, such as "connecting with spirits" and "celebrating the change of seasons," overlap with seasonal events in Japan.

It is also important in Japanese culture to spend time together as a family and enjoy nature, such as during Obon and New Year's holidays.

In addition, Halloween-themed crafts and games allow families to enjoy making decorations and dressing up, fostering creativity and teamwork.

For example, when making a homemade jack-o'-lantern, sharing the Celtic legend behind it and how it came to America from Ireland makes it more than just a playful experience.

Through this cultural learning, Halloween becomes more than just an event; it becomes a valuable opportunity to deepen family bonds and learn history.

Halloween has become increasingly popular in Japan over the past 30 years, and is now firmly established as an autumn tradition.

However, Halloween in Japan has developed differently from traditional Western Halloween.

There are several important factors that contribute to this cultural spread.

The first factor is the influence of commercial facilities and theme parks .

Halloween began to gain popularity in Japan in the 1990s, especially after major theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan started holding Halloween events .

This gave families more opportunities to experience Halloween, and gradually a Japanese version of Halloween was formed.

The second factor is commercialization .

Like Christmas and Valentine's Day, Halloween has expanded into a consumer event as companies have actively got involved.

In particular, sales of costumes, sweets, and decorations peak every autumn, and it is customary for Halloween-related products to line store shelves.

The third factor is the costume culture .

The costume element of Halloween naturally linked with Japan's " cosplay " culture.

Japan has always had a strong cosplay culture of dressing up as anime and game characters, and Halloween has made cosplay a popular event that people can enjoy .

In this way, Halloween in Japan has expanded rapidly in a way that differs from that in the West, with an emphasis on entertainment and commercial elements .

However, it also has an aspect of being an event that the whole family can enjoy, and for children in particular, it plays an important role as a cross-cultural experience, as they hand out candy at school and local Halloween parties.

In recent years, Halloween in Japan has become popular as a costume event, especially in urban areas, but the number of people celebrating Halloween at home with their families is gradually increasing.

Halloween is a great opportunity to enjoy the richness of autumn , especially when it comes to spending time together as a family and experiencing the season.

Although Halloween became popular in Japan as a result of the strong influence of commercial events, it can be enjoyed at home as a simpler, more heartwarming event.

For example, you can decorate with natural elements to evoke the feeling of autumn, or make handmade Halloween decorations together with your children.

Decorating with pine cones and fallen leaves, or using pumpkins, are some easy ideas that allow you to enjoy the seasonal feeling.

Additionally, Halloween can be used as an opportunity to celebrate the change of seasons with your family.

As autumn approaches, enjoying autumn flavors together as a family or making dishes and sweets using pumpkin is a fun activity.

Enjoying pumpkin soup and homemade sweets together will also help you develop a sense of gratitude for the harvest season .

Autumn in particular is the season in Japan when you can experience the autumn leaves and harvest.

Spending time together as a family in contact with nature during this time is not just a way to enjoy an event, but also an important time to sense the cycles of nature and the changing seasons.

Halloween will encourage the whole family to become aware of the changing of the seasons and spend their time in a way that feels connected to nature.

In this way, enjoying Halloween at home can raise awareness of not only the commercial aspect of the event, but also of savoring and enjoying the change of seasons with family .

Use Halloween as an opportunity to foster an interest in nature and the seasons through crafts, cooking, decorating and more with your kids.

Making easy, homemade Halloween decorations at home is a fun activity that the whole family can get involved in.

Especially in households with small children, you can enjoy the Halloween atmosphere together through decorations that are easy to make .

Below are some easy decorating ideas.

1. DIY Jack-o'-Lantern

The most iconic Halloween decoration, jack-o'-lanterns , are a craft the whole family can make.

You can easily create a Halloween atmosphere by carving out a pumpkin and putting candles or LED lights inside.

Even small children can have fun by helping out and designing the faces.

If you can't get hold of a pumpkin, you can also make your own lantern using a paper or plastic pumpkin.

2. Decorative garlands

You can easily make a Halloween themed garland using colored construction paper or craft paper.

Simply cut out shapes such as pumpkins, bats, and witch hats, string them together, and display them in your room to create a Halloween-like decoration.

By using Halloween colors such as orange, black, and purple, you can create a sense of unity throughout the room.

3. Halloween window decorations

To get into the Halloween mood, we recommend decorating your windows with stencils or stickers .

You can enjoy the Halloween atmosphere from outside by using stencils to draw ghosts and spider webs , or by sticking silhouettes cut out of black paper on your windows.

At night, the silhouette of the windows stands out, and combined with the light from outside, it creates a fantastical atmosphere.

All of these ideas are easy to make and will help your kids learn while having fun.

Crafting not only helps develop children's creativity and teamwork, but it's also a great way to spend time bonding as a family.

Dressing up for Halloween is one of the most fun things for kids to do.

Buying costumes can be expensive, but making your own can be a lot of fun and creative fun.

Here are some easy costume ideas that you can make using materials you have at home.

1. Easy witch costume

A witch costume can be easily made by using black clothing as a base.

Simply pair a black dress or skirt with a black hat and add a broom as a prop to complete the look .

A witch's hat can easily be made by creating a cone shape out of cardboard and covering it with black cloth or paper.

Witch-like makeup is also an added fun factor for children.

2. Ghost Sheet Costume

A simple, old-fashioned ghost costume can be made using white sheets or cloth.

You can easily make a ghost costume by just cutting holes for eyes and a mouth into a sheet.

You can also paint sheets to create your own ghost design for a truly original costume.

3. Cardboard robot costume

Another quick and fun idea is to make a robot costume using cardboard that you have at home.

Cut cardboard to fit the body and arms, then spray paint with silver or cover with aluminum foil to create a metallic look.

You can design the robot together with your children, making costume time a creative time for the family.

These handmade costumes allow parents and children to spend more time together , making Halloween a more special event.

It's simple and easy, yet provides a fun time for parents and children to bond.

Halloween is known for costumes and candy, but it's also a great opportunity for families to grow together and bond .

As parents and children create costumes and have fun decorating together, they are given more opportunities to cooperate and communicate with each other, which naturally deepens the bonds between family members.

1. Working together to prepare strengthens family bonds

The process of preparing Halloween costumes and decorations together as a family is a great opportunity for collaboration .

For example, children can come up with decoration designs and parents can help them, allowing them to spend time sharing ideas with each other.

Making handmade costumes together will stimulate the creativity of parents and children and allow them to learn while having fun.

2. Create new memories through experiences for the whole family

Participating in a Halloween event with the whole family makes it more than just an event.

The experiences you have together will remain as memories , and especially for young children, the time they spend with their parents will be memorable.

For parents, seeing their children engrossed in dressing up and playing games is a great way to see them growing up .

3. Learning together improves family life

Learning about the cultural meaning and history behind Halloween together can be a great way to enrich learning time for parents and children.

By researching the history of Halloween and the differences between countries, you can deepen your understanding of different cultures and broaden the horizons of the whole family.

By positioning Halloween not just as a festival, but as an event for the whole family to grow together , you can enjoy a different side to your usual routine.

Halloween is often thought of as being all about dressing up and collecting candy, but there is a historical and cultural significance behind it.

Originally derived from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain , this event marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a night when the boundaries between spiritual and earthly existences became blurred.

Knowing this background helps us understand Halloween as more than just a commercial event.

Modern Halloween often emphasizes its commercial aspect, but it can also have a deeper meaning as something the whole family can enjoy, such as handmade costumes and decorations , or learning about different cultures through Halloween.

Not only can you have fun dressing up and baking sweets, but it's also an opportunity to deepen your knowledge by learning about the history of Halloween and sharing with your family the differences between Halloween and other countries.

In addition, preparing for Halloween together as a family fosters cooperation and creativity , and deepens the bond between parents and children.

Spending time making decorations and costumes with your children will be a cherished family memory.

Additionally, Halloween can help children develop an appreciation for the changing seasons and the blessings of nature.

So while Halloween is an event that families enjoy together, it also has deep cultural significance behind it.

Enjoying Halloween as a family while balancing commercial events and cultural backgrounds is a great opportunity to create special memories in everyday life.