Halloween’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, which was held on November 1 in contemporary calendars. It was believed that on that day, the souls of the dead returned to their homes, so people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits.

In today’s time, Halloween is celebrated across the world. The popularity has gone from strength to strength over the years. It used to be my favourite experience when my children were young. Getting them dressed up, my absolute favourite was one Halloween I dressed one as a witch and a younger one who was still crawling as her cat. I would be holding the younger in my arms and going trick-or-treating around the block. This was the only time when I felt people opened their homes to others and shared laughter and happiness with strangers. A true feel of community.

Now my kids are older, and they have their plans for the holiday, but I still walk around the neighbourhood to enjoy the joy of togetherness. Halloween is a time when creativity and community spirit shine, and it’s heart-warming to see people come together to celebrate in places like St John Wood, Chelsea, Kensington, and Hampstead in London.

Halloween’s ability to bring people together and foster a sense of togetherness and joy is certainly something to cherish, and it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of this holiday.

Happy Halloween!