Halloween 101
Halloween, celebrated every October 31, is a fun, spooky tradition enjoyed worldwide. As an AHN host, it’s a great opportunity to get to know international students and celebrate Halloween customs. Read our guide for tips on how you can get involved in the festivities with your students:
Halloween History
Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season. Today, it’s known for costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive decorations. Learn all about the history and traditions associated with this spooky occasion: Bet You Didn’t Know: Halloween – by the History Channel
Halloween Safety Tips
- Always accompany younger students during trick-or-treating.
- Ensure costumes are safe and visible at night.
- Stick to well-lit areas and check candy before eating.
Halloween offers a unique way to bond with students while sharing a piece of cultural fun.
Halloween in Australia
While not as ingrained as in the US, Halloween has gained popularity in Australia. It’s common to see decorations, parties, and children in costumes trick-or-treating in neighborhoods.
Fun Halloween Activities for Hosts and Students
Halloween Pumpkin Carving
Creepy creativity: Halloween isn’t complete without a carved pumpkin. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, these 60 Genius Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Halloween deserve a look.
We’re all about saving money at AHN, so why not save all those pumpkin seeds from your carving and use them for tasty snacks at your party? Check out Pumpkin Seeds 5 Ways – where you’ll find recipes for sweet and savoury pumpkin seed snacks that will impress your guests.
Halloween Costumes
The best thing about Halloween is dressing up. If you’re into DIY costumes, here are 127 last-minute DIY costumes you can make at home. Or, if you’re up for spending a few dollars, HalloweenCostumes.com.au has an epic selection where you can search by theme, age or price. There’s something for everyone.
Halloween Décor and Decorations
Spook up your space! If you’re throwing a party you’ll need inspiration on what to make and how to decorate. Check out these 37 Halloween Party Ideas That’ll Save you Money. Featuring budget-friendly decorations and food tips, this article has a stack of cheap ways to help you celebrate Halloween.
If you prefer visual instructions – we’ve got you covered. 5-minute Crafts demonstrate 23 easy and cool DIY décor ideas we know you’ll love:
Short on time? Can’t make your decorations? Unique Party Shop has a great selection of ready-made decorations.
Halloween Food and Drink
If you have to make party food or want to get creative for all those trick-or-treaters, Food Network has some pretty sweet ideas. There are Haunted Gingerbread Houses, Pull-Apart Graveyard Cupcakes and Spider Web Guacamole just to name a few.
You can’t have Halloween-themed food without having Halloween-themed drinks. bbcgoodfood.com has 26 cocktails, mocktails and other delicious drinks your guests will love.
Halloween Games
Keep the excitement alive with Halloween-themed games! From Scavenger Hunts to Toilet Paper Mummies, there are heaps of fun games to keep your guests entertained:
Prepare for loads of laughter and enjoyment!
Halloween Movies
Not much of a partygoer but still want to celebrate Halloween? Why not make yourself some Halloween treats from our Halloween Food and Drink list (above) and watch a movie with your host family/homestay guests? From 90s favourites like Don’t Look Under The Bed and Hocus Pocus to classics like John Carpenters’ original Halloween (1978), Seventeen.com have compiled a list of the 52 Best Halloween Movies Ever.
With our ultimate Halloween guide, you’re all set to have a howling good time in Australia! From understanding the history of Halloween to creating the perfect atmosphere with decorations, costumes, food, and games, we’ve covered it all. Happy Halloween from AHN! Enjoy the festivities and make cherished memories with your loved ones.
