Like many other celebrations present on our calendar, Halloween is also celebrated uniquely by each different place around the world. Though it all points back to the night when spirits, both good are bad, are said to be free to roam the land of the living, the different cultures and countries have all come up with different ways to make their Halloweens more exciting and different traditions are practiced during this one mystical night of the year! • In Austria, they leave bread and water on a table with a lighted lamp next to it believing that it would help welcome their dead loved ones back on Earth during this seemingly powerful night. • In Spain, they come up with pastries which they name Bones of the Holy. These pastries were shaped like skulls and are eaten only during the day of Halloween. It was covered with very delicious orange glaze and contained anise seeds. Like most Western countries, the youngsters go trick and treating. They usually visit the graves of deceased loved ones and usually keep up a prayerful vigil all throughout the night. • In the United States and Canada, the younger ones go trick and treating around their neighborhoods. The teenagers and the adults as well, hold costume parties dressed up in any horrifying ghoul's costume they can think of. In these parties, they also play games like bobbing for apples or hold contests as to who can tell the best spooky stories. • In many areas of Ireland, they light up huge bonfires. The children have their own version of trick or treat and are usually given a week off from school during this special holiday. The bigger children play pranks and cause a round of mischief to complete the night. • In Japan, food and drinks are offered up to the dead by placing these offerings in front of their photos. Lit lanterns are then set to float out in bodies of water as it is believed that this will guide the deceased back to earth and back to their loved ones. This festival that honors and remembers their dead is called the Obon Festival. • In Italy, it is customary to set a full table and leave their houses open, with the intention of allowing their beloved dead to enter their houses and feast on this bountiful spread. They go out to pray in churches for the souls of their loved ones who have gone ahead. There exists a traditional dish made especially for this day. It is a piece of pastry that is their own Italian version of the Spanish Bones of the Holy. They call this dish Fave dei morti. • In Mexico, their practices are highly influenced by the Americans. Though they still employ the main idea of trick or treat, teenagers from Mexico knock on residential houses and call out “Noche de Brujas, Halloween!” which means that it is the night of the witches. Their celebration of Halloween consists of three consecutive days. • Though China does not really have a Halloween holiday, it does make up for it with its very own Ghost Festival. The Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 14th night of the seventh month based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. • In India, they have the Mahalaya. The Mahalaya is a ritual that they perform because of their strong belief that this will awaken their dead loved ones. After this celebration however, it is believed that these souls return to their peaceful slumbering all throughout the rest of the days of the year. When night comes, the people all bow their heads to pray for protection against the evil spirits. So as you can see, the true essence of Halloween will always be there, wherever and however you may plan on celebrating it. | 
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