Halloween, Trick or Treat, and Coins

From the perspective of children, Halloween is a collecting adventure. Think about it… all the little hobgoblins and other tiny mischief makers in the neighborhood move from house to house collecting candy and sweets galore.

During the medieval period children in Ireland and Scotland were not given sweets. For them it was coins – in exchange for a song, a dance, or a clever recitation. So, no sweets. All the same, at family get-togethers during the holiday -- known as All Saints Eve – delicious and nutritious fruitcakes would be served to the children, who would then find coins baked inside (talk about a choking hazard!)

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