Increasingly so, the global influence of American movies and TV series has made widespread in Europe the tradition of children going in groups through nearby homes on the night of October 31 asking for sweets. Since many parents would prefer that their children reduce their sugar intake, today we ask if it is really essential that they receive candy. Let’s open the debate to think together if there is any way to improve the situation a bit.
If we go back in history, we see that the idea derives from European medieval traditions, in which food was asked on All Saints’ Day. In Portugal, it spread especially after November 1, 1756, on the first anniversary of the terrible earthquake that struck Lisbon and left many people in difficult circumstances. The people asked for the so-called pão-por-Deus (bread for God’s sake) and positive verses were recited to those who acquiesced:
Esta casa cheira a broa, This house smells like sweet bread,
Aqui mora gente boa. Good people live here.
Esta casa cheira a vinho, This house smells like wine,
Aqui mora algum santinho. A little saint lives here.
And also negative verses for those who refused:
Esta casa cheira a alho, This house smells like garlic,
Aqui mora um espantalho. A scarecrow lives here.
Esta casa cheira a unto, This house smells like pig’s fat,
Aqui mora algum defunto. Corpses are living here.
Little by little the tradition was lost, except in the areas of Fatima and Famalicão, where it is still present, although holding with difficulties against the progress of the American Halloween and their sweets.
In several areas of Spain near Portugal there are also similar traditions on All Saints Day. In Zamora, Salamanca, Cáceres and Badajoz, where the tradition is usually called carbote or calbote, chestnuts are roasted in the fields, and children do the chaquetía and go by the houses receiving chestnuts and fruits.
So we see that at least there is a historical basis to explain convincingly to the children the possible improvements in this matter. The key would rest then in good products and marketing. For example, if we roast the chestnuts and have them hot by the time the children arrive, we can “sell” them the advantage of keeping their hands warm for the rest of the night, which is usually already cold at that time. Or we can cook a homemade cake and offer them a piece with some hot cocoa. In fact, in medieval England the tradition was to give them soul cake, which many point to as the most direct origin of the American tradition.
Another good alternative could be preparing small fruit smoothies. Smoothies tend to be well received by children and both the parents and them might welcome the injection of vitamins and energy to continue the night journey.
And finally, there are those who suggest pieces of fruit cut with a triangular shape and a stick below to grab them, which is another fun way to eat something healthy.
These are just a few ideas. Surely this dynamic community can offer more suggestions to those parents looking for healthier options…