What Were Halloween Parties Like in the Early 1900s?

As Halloween draws closer, you may be thinking about how you'll celebrate. But have you ever wondered what Halloween parties were like 100 years ago? Come learn with me about the Hallows Eve celebrations of yesteryear!
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Sources:
Halloween Merrymaking by Diane C. Arkins
The Book of Hallowe’en by Ruth Edna Kelley
Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear by Diane C. Arkins
Black Cats and Evil Eyes by Michael O’Mara
Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne

[@nelllie6760]

My Grandma hosted big parties like this when I was a kid. The themed cute food, homemade decorations and party favors. Punch with dry ice, bobbing for apples, throwing bean bags through a big ghost she cut out of wood and painted, good times. I’m glad I got to experience that as a wee one.

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

In Scotland we'd cover a soda or potato scone in treacle and hang it from the ceiling or door frame and the goal was to bite it with your hands held behind your back.

[@lizabee484]

Sounds very similar to the Halloween parties my family threw when I was a kiddo ☺️

[@su1ka779]

Woahh thats so cool. I never experienced Halloween parties as a kid.

[@Ollie7707]

This is my new life goal

[@amy_png]

Amazing!

[@thearwenschild1637]

My best guess would be that "burned almonds" are the same dish as the german "gebrannte Mandeln". For this sugar is heated and almonds are coated in the caramel, they tase the best when eaten warm. Traditionaly you can buy them at fairs, especially in winter.

[@KazRowe]

Oh i’ve had those, they’re delicious!! Alas no this recipe was just burning plain almonds in a pan haha

[@daphne8406]

In Norway we also call them «brennte mandler» and we sometimes add a bit of cinnamon to it 😋 In December the whole city centre smells like it.

[@LynnHermione]

Basically, garrapiñadas

[@sarahwatts7152]

This makes a lot more sense than what I was thinking - that burned almonds is the safest way to pretend you're eating cyanide. (Too dark? Just me?)

[@jaydenelkroy5593]

@@KazRowe Excuse me, but where did you get your shirt from? it looks so cute like that whiskey grandpa formal gremlin wear. :D

[@cathypiper9373]

This is much closer to the true Halloween vibe for me than today’s blood and gore. Enjoyed your video.

[@Orion_TheyThem]

Yeah, I wish we'd go back to this version. Heck, even the Sleepy Hollow version. Just spooky stories and harvest decorations with some ghouls and goblins and cute black cats!

[@dairallan]

@@Orion_TheyThem It kinda depends how you view history. What people found scary changes over time and back then much that we find innocent or banal would have seemed far spookier. For instance and to stick with the Halloween flavour, Burn's poem Tam o Shanter was considered pretty scary at the time it was published while today it might be seen as more quaint.

[@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom]

Blood and gore?? Today's Halloween feels more like Comic Con.

[@collecticus]

I like both.

[@tiffanysbeautyhouse755]

@@collecticus same I really like cutesy Halloween for my house decor and then I love going to super scary haunted houses and watching super super scary movies etc!

[@maevemonroe]

Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by the mere idea of early 1900s sandwiches.

[@emilywalls7165]

✋

[@jkbricks455]

✋

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

✋

[@kidlitfanful]

Early 1900s "salad" was worse. Slice bananas longways and then into shorter halves, two quarterback per person. Put three dots of mayonnaise in the flat side of each quarter. Then attached a piece of popcorn or a small marshmallow to each dot. And don't look up Perfection Salad unless you want your ideas of perfection and life itself to succumb to your new madness.

[@fuzzamajumula]

Some of them are actually very tasty!

[@TwiDawnLight]

I've never heard of anyone adding pecans, but guava and cream cheese is honestly super yummy in pastry form and we make them a lot here! There is also a lot to be said for being able to grab a delicious slice of guava and a slice of cheese and eat it on a piece of bread so honestly I can see where they're coming from.

[@ComedorDelrico]

I think guava, cream cheese, and pecans sounds delicious!

[@EE-hw6cm]

Haven’t started watching and OBVIOUSLY your videos are top tier in info and interesting content however…. you look incredible. everything to look at in this vid *chefs kiss* you are a masterpiece

[@LixiaWinter]

How to Haloween like old-timey people: 1. Dress up in gay costume 2. Bite some fat cheeks at a party 3. NO LITTLE FINGER TOUCHY-TOUCHY 4. Diy decorations

[@Teefs001]

This comment made me snort from laughter it's perfectly set up

[@charleston1789]

XD

[@sandroselladore3506]

ive got the first and fourth going for me already

[@roddmatsui3554]

Laughter

[@hadrianryan4179]

I kinda am starting to think it's not so much about the finger as it is "don't let him touch *so much as* the tip of your little finger..." as a hyperbolic way of stressing avoiding all, even 'innocent', physical contact

[@martinajohnson]

The Betsy-Tacy books (Maud Hart Lovelace's autobiographical novels about her youth in the 1910s) contain some delightful descriptions of "spooky" parties like this, although I don't think they're ever explicitly Halloween parties.

[@milogallagher-zk3ul]

I remember those! They called them “hen parties”

[@zillionalb462]

"burned almonds" sounds like the traditional German winter/Christmas treat of sugared roasted almonds. Very tasty.

[@d.lan3y]

they replied to a different comment saying this and apparently no. just plain burnt almonds.

[@biotechbabe8886]

This reminded me of my grandma and made me cry a little.

[@Koobird784]

I grew up in the Northwestern US, and the thing at 4:48 was DEFINITELY something we did. It was mainly in our church circles, but I vividly remember my mom making plates of cookies and having my sister and I sneak them onto the porches of our church friends

[@laurasofia1601]

omg the postcards reminds me of Over the Garden Wall

[@hannahcrossett3415]

The vegetable people are called "boogies" according to my great grandfather, who claimed jack-o'-lanterns were an example of them.

[@kelseyg192]

TUTTERRR! Omg you have reached omnipotent being level!!! The fit, the decor, I can't! Excellent content🎃

[@humanbornperson]

All those apple games reminded me of a similar trick my friend told me when we were in middle school! She said to twist the apple stem while saying the alphabet and whichever letter you're on when it tears off is the initial of the person you're going to marry~

[@chickencake5134]

In my school we also did that. And then we would list people's names from our grade and she would say yeah or nah.

[@simplesimply3753]

Thanks for a forgotten memory. Funnily enough it worked

[@CaylasCapsule]

This video made me super nostalgic! In high school, my theatre friends and I had an annual Halloween party very similar to this. We’d play games with apples and stuff but without all the fortune telling. There was constant parental supervision, so all the drama came from things like who teamed up with whom for which games. It was like ooooo he teamed up with her for the game with the M&M’s ooooo! 😆 It was honestly so much fun though.

[@jillianmorrison1959]

omg totally forgot about boo bags until you brought it up again!!! missing that tradition

[@Rinthony1]

When I say I love Halloween *this* is the type of Halloween I’m talking about

[@stratovolcano7813]

“Baby I promote ghostly interests every day.” 😂 Also I just wanna say, your costumes are always phenomenal. You’re truly an artist through and through.

[@hipster_in_training_wheels]

Oh how I wish I was a gay little Halloween vegetable person

[@whitneywilson7182]

The fit. The decor. The excellent information. You continue to slay.

[@Saternalius]

I love your little Hallowe'en grotto, and am very jealous of your excellent shirt. The print on it is so sweet! I found this very informative, and the games reminded me a lot of the kind of Hallowe'en stuff we did when I was a kid (mid-to-late 1980s, UK). All spooky fun and black-and-orange creepy-paper home-made decorations.

[@IDoDeclareify]

Ahhhh I wanna throw an cute old fashioned Halloween party!

[@Miles_Phantasmagoria]

“You’re fickle, and tis said, you’ll often love but never wed” is SO affirming tbh. I want that on a jacket.

[@savannahelouisa]

My spooky heart loves Halloween. I love the invitation idea and returning the leaf to confirm if you would be attending 😍 you are so adorable. I love your voice and how you deliver history, very interesting.

[@sillayclown]

yesss early 1900s content

[@lynn858]

… I prefer to think of this as “What ladies publications had to say about Halloween parties”. I’m sure some of it probably happened like that. Because if you tell enough people to do a thing, and some will. But it would also be like reading what Martha and one-min-never-works-like-they-show-crafts and deciding those are good indications of what most people actually do for Halloween parties today.

[@Call-me-Al]

....I should check that out for Halloween crafts and see if there is anything interesting. This video already made me realize I need to look up vintage Halloween crafts

[@k80_]

Thats a good point. It’s like those Bertha Banner Victorian sewing manuals that say your hand stitches should all be two threads over four threads under or whatever crazy measurement they have. This must be like Halloween party goals, I doubt many people had this level of dedication

[@rd6203]

@@k80_ You could be right, but I think you might be overlooking the fact that this is the pre-media era. Radio was brand new and Television was still merely a concept. Mass consumerism isn't even an inkling yet. People will be both more likely and more accustomed to creating their own amusements, out of what they have on hand or can acquire easily, which means that we can reason that they did partake in holiday planning more than your average modern individual

[@LoveSickWorld]

I don’t know if every school did this but my school used to always do that same thing with changing the name of normal foods to Halloween stuff, like witches brew was just soup, goblins feet was pizza, and severed fingers was French fries

[@princetisane]

Took one look at the title and thought to myself, "aw yeah, directions for next year's festivities".

[@krystaaaalkay]

I only started watching your channel fairly recently, but you’ve quickly become one of my favorites. Thanks for another fun historical video!

[@hobihope2981]

Hearing abt these cool crafts makes me even more mad at the capitalist agenda... like making these spooky crafts with friends/family would be such a cool fun activity :(

[@niamh7047]

Loved this video! Have always been fascinated with Halloween given the Irish folklore element to it. Also we all should definitely go back to making our own costumes - all about that reuse reduce recycle life lol

[@kidlitfanful]

Tutter tangent: Back in 2003, I went to Disneyland and there was a Bear in the Big Blue House musical show. Someone in a Bear costume came out and sang "Welcome to the Blue House." Then a Tutter puppet popped up and sang "Hello from the small mouse!" The kid in front of me turned into a three year old version of a 1964 teenaged girl at a Beatles concert. "TUTTERRRRRRR!" I want someone to look at me the way that kid looked at the Tutter puppet.

[@lefteyereport6354]

Tbf when that fortune have was made, $2 would be a pretty reasonable windfall for a young person

[@Niobesnuppa]

Hey, don't scoff at burnt almonds! That's a classic Christmas treat in Norway. It's basically just almonds roasted in caramelised sugar, so it's sort of like a candied apple, but an almond instead. Candied almond, I guess would be the best way to explain it to English-speakers. They're sweet, but not too much, and they're crunchy.

[@sharonmedeiros9819]

I think what is most special about old fashioned Halloween traditions is the rush of nostalgia they bring. I remember being invited to a Halloween party at a local Campfire Girls meeting one year, and was so thrilled and excited. We got to dress in costumes, played games and had Halloween themed snacks. It was magical to me. All those vintage decorations still vividly brings back the fun and excitement I felt. I have loved the holiday ever since, and would plan my childrens costumes and spend months haunting local thrift shops serching for the perfect items. One year, my daughter was Lizzie Borden, complete with a fake ax, and was a big hit. I always tried to make their All Hallows Eve special, with creepy foods for dinner, trick or treating, and a spooky bedtime story like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I hope they have fond memories of Halloween too.

[@mildsoup8978]

It's funny how glasses really change up someone's look.

[@TheRoachkiller]

Also holy shit that fit is CUTE

[@PSL_Lover2024]

I never had a mysterious boo bag !! I live in Texas. I would have loved that as a kid. Especially the threatening curse lol

[@magbiblue7045]

oh my goodness, the boo bags comment unlocked hidden memories from elementary school. those were always so much fun!!! also, hello this is my official application for the role of girlfriend. i make really good cookies if that helps lol

[@john_harris_]

omg yes the “you’ve been boo’d” bags is so fun omg omg omg

[@jkbricks455]

Love the harpsichord in the end credits

[@gota7738]

6:34 "Which where branched off from old Irish, Scottish, and-" And Welsh! "-English folk traditions and beliefs." :( Getting overlooked for Ireland and Scotland in these matters is one thing, but England? Other than that thank you for the Calan Gaeaf vibed!

[@stiofanmacamhalghaidhau765]

agreed. having bumped up against this 'engish halloween traditions' notion ugh-too-many times over the decades, I've found the best response is to just ask 'which of these traditions are from england?' and just sit back and wait for the realisation to sink in. wales gets a damn raw deal at the best of times.

[@AnnaSnicket-ok7hj]

the dishes don't sound bad i wanna try them (also hi i just found you and i'm watching all your videos because i love learning)

[@myrtopotaianou1509]

The wwdits clips got me happy stiming nckckg "creepy paper "

[@jujubees3360]

I know what you’re talking about with the goodie bags! We called it “boo-ing” someone XD One thing you would almost always find were those wind-up chattering teeth. Ahhh, memories.

[@l.m.2404]

I think that the burnt almonds is to harken the aspect of arsenic that is reported to taste and smell like burnt almonds. Perhaps it is a Edwardian Halloween joke ?

[@KazRowe]

Ohh maybe so! That would make a lot of sense. The recipe I read just said “burnt almonds are tasty” 😂

[@vargatomicomics]

Tbh roadkill sounds like appropriate Halloween decoration.

[@Fbrollmoo]

Crepee paper. Love what we do in the shadows!

[@dougo891]

The most ingenious way of scaring people was this. In the darkness of the night, you could see at all ghost standing outside the door. When you got close the ghost groaned and howled. It had been rigged with a large loudspeaker and the host was inside with a microphone

[@BrianaAyala25]

That’s so funny I was watching your newer videos and spotted the mouse in the background and thought “how odd” because he doesn’t go with your Victorian vibes lol I love that he comes with an introduction video ❤️😂

[@emilyaltman4318]

this video's great, love the look of your room. such a great asthetic

[@MaxOakland]

1900s Halloween sounds so fun compared to today

[@paulad.patterson4732]

I really enjoyed this! Halloween has always been my favourite holiday and I hate the gore fest it has become.

[@paulad.patterson4732]

I love your top, btw!

[@KYLE1654-v7m]

Earlier parties must look amazing because of how much creativity is involved. Nowadays parties are annoying with how they look.

[@aubrey_strawberry]

That’s not only a poem, that’s a boo bag!!! I love doing that to my friends 🩷

[@hellinahandbaschetwith4cats]

10:58 can nb ppl file in the application too? just asking for a friend

[@robintauber9994]

Boo bags? That sounds like "chain mail" without the post office

[@breezeblocks307]

I love the Halloween decor, your apple shirt 🍎🍏, and your precious face sm

[@fionnaandcakecosplay]

0:09 I had no idea that existed but now I need one

[@sweetdesignink]

I had a goodie bag with a spooky poem from when I was a kid. I live in Kansas. It could be widespread with some of these.

[@stregadisalem732]

When I watched Meet Me In St. Louis, which takes place between 1903 and 1904, the “Halloween” sequence felt like quite a departure from the rest of the movie that focuses on the bright lives of debutants Esther and Rose. It felt quite sinister and dark and was about the younger sisters being encouraged by a mob of other children to take part in acts of vandalism: burning things, throwing flour in people’s faces and yelling hateful things. The flour throwing door to door replaced trick or treating in this movie I guess. Maybe it was supposed to be a different holiday.

[@stevebob240]

This sounds like my kind of party, let's bring some of this back.

[@krunguspungus2376]

Phantoming! I grew up in NJ, but it was a practice introduced to the neighborhood by my parents which they picked up while living in Detroit (Originally from Oregon) The family from last year who couldn't phantom anyone before Halloween but was phantomed themselves would start the process in early October. You leave the basket and the poem at the door, ring the bell, and run away before you're seen. My sisters and I would wear dark blue/ black so as to stay better hidden, and now as an adult, I'm sure the parents who answered the doors saw where we were more often than not, but never let on. There'd also be a pre trick-or-treating party with the neighbors where everyone would eat chili (family recipe)

[@astropisces]

the what we do in the shadows clip >>>

[@asmrigloo]

Please do a Christmas party one!

[@vin-cc9nk]

great video, lovely vibes! I miss having a jolly gay time with the lads at the barn for halloween

[@AuthenticWe]

I started watching you randomly yesterday... And your humor sneeks up quite beautifully t.y. for your craft of KZbin

[@patrikrathousky5791]

I'm in love with your spooky set-up!

[@medusamoon444]

Oh my goodness I was so happy when you put in the scene from What We Do In Tbe Shadows. 😂🖤

[@femalefunkopopfinder2210]

I like this version of Halloween! We need this again some goofiness and whimsy! Yes I know I’m a year late; but it’s Halloween season!

[@EddoFoxy]

Please consider this my official girlfriend application.

[@UmbraIzas]

I always wondered where the whole old americana halloween aethestic really came from. It doesn't have a clear origin like other holidays.

[@mcwjes]

Maybe I'm just hungry, but the weird sand witches sound pretty good.

[@alabasterindigo]

I had a music teacher in elementary who taught us fun Halloween songs from around this time I think that I wish I could find. They were in a large booklet with fun art and I only remember one and it was Ghost of John.

[@CassieArapakis]

This sounds way more fun than today's Halloween parties! I loved this! Happy Halloween. 👻 🎃.

[@gamewrit0058]

I grew up in the Upper Midwest, (Minnesota), and I've never heard of anonymous goody bags promising curses if you don't follow the directions.

[@LezCharming]

"You'll often love,but never wed". Kaz,you're a total Tomcat. You're slaying more ladies then Michael Myers. Stabbing them in the heart...

[@Cobralalalala]

Oh my gosh! Where did those ghost and pumpkin decorations come from? I love them!!! Also, most of those sandwiches don't sound too awful. Raisins and marmalade and meats with jam are good... Olives can die in a fire though!

[@Prodigious1One]

Great video! I didn't know that Halloween parties were popular for so many years.

[@Tolstrup]

If you decorate your home with road kills, it’s sounds really gory or spooky to me, he, he!

[@KeepingtheMagicAlive]

This was fascinating! The apple and candlestick - what were they thinking?!?!

[@artlly_]

You got Boo’ed! We do that all the time in Utah! We also do “heart attacks” where you cut out a bunch of paper hearts and write a compliment down on each one before taping them all over someone’s front or garage door!

[@mizstories9646]

I'd send in an application but I love history so much that we would definitely end up with the neighborhood kids thinking we are vampires from the victorian Era. Actually that sounds wonderful, I'll send it in!

[@evandoesthings467]

I love that shirt, it is so cute!

[@fugithegreat]

An "air of mystery," whimsical spookiness, a autumn harvest vibe, natural handmade decorations... this sounds like my jam! I really don't vibe with today's horror and gore.

[@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075]

i hear ya, so different even from when i was a kid, but even before that, also strobe-lights are so overblown, i don't get why they must be featured in every haunted house

[@viennawalker7002]

I haven't seen tutter the mouse in fifteen years I just had so many Vietnam flashbacks to watching big blue house with my younger siblings.

[@yesterdayssimming]

You had me at peanut butter and jelly tutter. 😂 he’s the best

[@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075]

Haloween is probably the most fascinating holiday, to me anyway, good video

[@dennisreynolds1868]

not me tearing up at the shared human happiness of just getting to act like a doofus in a costume

[@jesseyules]

Lovely summary. Thank you!

[@diieeuwuwu312]

It was so compelling! Thank you!

[@RaphaelleLD]

I love your collection of... little guys 🥺

[@rhys1264]

It's sad, I remember back when I was a kid Halloween used to be a much bigger thing, but now it seems like it isn't as much? I don't see Trick-or-Treaters, haven't seen any Halloween parties or decorations...maybe it's just where I live?

[@darinarnold6976]

Honestly the ham and currant sandwich probably slaps

[@shadow1961]

we never had boo bags or goodie bags

[@therobotdevil2284]

I am OBSESSED with PB&J Tutter. OBSESSED.

[@Undead_r0se]

One of my favourite youtubers referencing one of my favourite shows ⁉‼:3

[@MatecaCorp]

Those sandwiches are scarier than any horror movie

[@keybyss98]

I was gonna expect something insanely tasty and amazing in regards to old school Halloween food... And then I remember that the shit they made in “The Jungle” was something that was actually put onto shelves pre-FDA and that that kind of food culture was probably gonna slither into the recipes in one way or another. Then again, those sandwiches wouldn’t be too bad for an average lunch tbh. Not really fancy party food, tho.