Now that there are three days left until Halloween, you’ve probably already gotten your costume and candy and are fully prepared for the festivities this Wednesday. But did you know that Halloween is the second-highest grossing holiday after Christmas or that the world’s largest pumpkin weighed in at 1,872 pounds? There are hundreds of facts about Halloween, but here are the 10 most interesting facts that you more than likely didn’t know about your favorite holiday.
1- It is estimated that Halloween spending will reach $8 billion this year. This means the average household is estimated to spend $79.
2- In the United Kingdom, white cats are considered to be bad luck, not like black cats in the U.S.
3- More candy is sold on October 28 than any other day of the year. The number one candy of choice is Snickers, followed by Reese’s, Kit-Kat’s and M and M’s.
4- Trick-or-treating is an ancient Celtic tradition called Samhain. Samheim was a time, on both October 31 and November 1, when spirits and fairies were said to be active and some were supposedly harmful. People would then dress up in costumes on both of these days, so they could go unnoticed with the harmful spirits.
5- The first use of Jack-o-lanterns took place during the Samheim. The Irish would place candles in hallowed-out turnips (not pumpkins), so that the ghosts and spirits would stay away. Yes that’s right, the first Jack-o-lanterns were made out of turnips.
6-There are only three ingredients in candy corn. They are sugar, corn syrup and marshmallow. This is the same recipe has been used since 1900. It’s also why about 30 pieces has the same amount of calories as three miniature Hershey’s bars.
7- On Halloween, children are twice as likely to be killed in a pedestrian/car accident, than any other night.
8- Orange and black are the official colors of Halloween because orange is associated with the harvest and black is associated with death and darkness.
9- The pumpkin is one of America’s oldest-known vegetables and first originated in Mexico. Pumpkins are a great source of vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, protein and iron.
10- Some bats drink blood. These bats, however, are not from Transylvania, but instead from Central and South America.
Congratulations, not only are you now much more informed about Halloween, but you also have some fun facts you can share when you party this Wednesday. Have a responsible and happy Halloween!