A Vintage Halloween: Reviving the Spirit of Community

There’s something about the crunch of golden leaves underfoot, the crisp autumn air swirling around porch lanterns, and the harvest moon that stirs nostalgia. It conjures an image of a time when Halloween wasn’t just a night of costumes and candy, but a community affair—a celebration that bound neighbors together in warmth, laughter, and shared traditions.

One thing I love about Halloween is its unique ability to gather people together. Whether it’s communities, neighborhoods, or simply our families in our homes, the traditions of this time of year bring people together in unique ways. As we find ourselves surrounded by the hustle and bustle of modern life, we often forget the beauty of simpler days, when Halloween was about gathering with friends and neighbors. Perhaps we should look back at earlier times, to rekindle a vintage Halloween spirit that emphasizes togetherness in the way it once did.

The Heart of the Celebration

Halloween traces its origins over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer. The ways in which Halloween has been observed have changed quite a bit over the last two millennia, but the holiday has always retained its ability to bring people together. For example, were you to step into a small town in the early 20th century, this is what you might see:

The town square would be set aglow with street lamps and the flicker of jack-o'-lanterns, the air alive with the scent of apple cider and wood smoke from a nearby celebratory bonfire. Families stroll together, children clutching handmade costumes fashioned from old linens. At this point, there aren’t any large-scale costume manufacturers, so every costume is creatively and attentively created by hand. Adults greet one another with the warmth that comes from knowing your neighbors by name. Local musicians play fiddles, banjos, and flutes, their tunes floating through the chilly air as people gather in front of the community hall.

The town square would often host a range of activities. This was Halloween before haunted houses and over-the-top fright. It was a time when simple games and traditions connected people: bobbing for apples, three-legged races, and pie-eating contests. As humble as these activities may seem, they provided laughter, competition, and most importantly, community. They were opportunities to slow down, celebrate together, and appreciate the moment—something that feels especially poignant in today’s fast-paced world.

Old Traditions That Still Warm the Heart

Many of the classic Halloween activities we associate with the holiday have deep roots in history, and their origins are often tied to bringing people together. 

Bobbing for Apples

Take bobbing for apples, for example. The tradition of apple bobbing was a courting ritual that dates back to the 14th century. The initials of potential suitors would be carved into apples. The apples would be separated into two tubs full of water, one for the apples with male initials where the bachelorettes would bob, and one for the apples inscribed with female initials where the bachelors would try their hand. It was said that whoever’s initials were on the apple you retrieved would be a foretelling of your romantic future. The number of attempts it took to retrieve the apple carried significance: if you got one on your first try, you would have a blossoming romance, whereas if it took you multiple tries it would predict a relationship that wasn’t meant to be.

The Book of Hallowe’en by Ruth Edna Kelley features an archaic poem that gives additional meaning to the origins of this tradition:

Trick-or-Treating

Another tradition that carries a fascinating history is the tradition of trick-or-treating. There are many theories about its origins, but one suggests that it began as far back as the Middle Ages. In parts of Britain and Ireland, it was a custom on certain holidays to go door to door performing song and dance dressed in costume in exchange for food or drink. That transformed more specifically into going from parish to parish during Allhallowtide (October 31- November 2) offering to pray for the souls of the dead in exchange for soul cakes, a small round cake made with sweet spices and dried fruit, similar to shortbread. They would go to the windows of the parish singing the song, “Soul, souls, for a soul-cake; Pray you good mistress, a soul-cake!'"

If you want to try making your own soul cake this Halloween, this is a great recipe to start with.

You don’t have to go back as far as the Middle Ages to get a glimpse into the origins of trick-or-treating. Even in the early 1900’s trick-or-treating wasn’t the sugar-fueled rush it can be today. Rather, it was a chance for children to walk through neighborhoods, stop by friends’ homes, and gather small treats—homemade sweets, popcorn balls, or even fresh fruit. The emphasis was less on consumption and more on the ritual of visiting one another.

Once the treats were shared, communities would often come together to end the evening around a bonfire. The fires provided warmth in the cool October night and were a central gathering point for stories—tales of ghosts, goblins, and all manner of supernatural beings. But underneath the spookiness of it all was a deeper sense of connection. People didn’t just come for the stories; they came for each other. It was a time to reflect on the changing season, the harvest, and the beauty of being in a place that felt like home, surrounded by people who felt like family.

Fostering Togetherness in Today’s Celebrations

As we look back on these traditions, there’s a yearning for that same sense of community today. In many ways, our modern Halloween celebrations are wonderful—children still delight in dressing up, and neighborhoods still light up with excitement—but the pace of life has changed, and the togetherness that once marked the holiday can sometimes be lost in the hustle.

What if we took a page from history and made a conscious effort to bring people together again? Imagine inviting neighbors over for a simple Halloween gathering—a potluck where everyone contributes, a small costume contest with homemade prizes, or even an apple-bobbing contest for the kids (and brave adults!). Instead of racing through the night, filling bags with as much candy as possible, we could slow down, share stories, and savor the season together.

This Halloween, consider embracing the past and all the charm it offers. Gather your family and invite those around you to celebrate the simple, beautiful traditions of a vintage Halloween. There’s magic in those old customs; magic that can still warm our hearts and bring us together in a world that needs it now more than ever.

If you liked this article, you may also enjoy shopping our vintage-inspired Halloween collection.