Halloween Traditions in France and French Vocabulary

Halloween Traditions in France and French Vocabulary Halloween is a relatively new thing in France. Some people will tell you that its a Celtic celebration, which has been celebrated in parts of France (Brittany) for centuries. OK, it may have been something important for some people, but nothing that reached the general public of France. All Saint Day: La Toussaint in France Traditionally in France, we celebrate the Catholic holiday of la Toussaint, which is on November 1. Its a rather sad celebration when family mourn their dead  and go to the cemetery to clean up the tombs, bring flowers and pray. There is often a family meal, but no special tradition about the food. We bring des chrysanthà ¨mes (a type of flower usually called mums, from the Latin chrysanthemum) because they still bloom at this time of the year. Celebrating Halloween is now "in" in France However, things are changing. If I remember well, it started in the early 90s. Celebrating Halloween became fashionable among young adults, especially among people who liked to travel. I remember going to a Halloween party at a very trendy friend when I was 20, and I fell I was in the it crowd!!   Nowadays, shops and trademarks use the images of Halloween, pumpkins, skeletons etc†¦ in their ads, so now, French people know it well, and some even start to celebrate Halloween with their kids. Why not? The French traditionally love to get in costumes, and its quite common to have a costumed New Year party or a costumed birthday, even more so among kids. French Teacher Love Halloween Additionally, Halloween is a great opportunity to teach some English words to kids. French kids start to learn English in elementary school. Its merely an introduction to the English language (dont expect  a fluent conversation out of a 10-year-old), but since kids would do pretty much anything for candies, elementary school teachers jump at the opportunity and often organize a costume  parade, and some trick or treating. Note, however, it never gets to tricks!! Most French homes will not have candies, and would be furious if their house got toilet papered!! French Halloween Vocabulary La Toussaint – All Saint DayLe trente et un octobre – 31st of OctoberHalloween – halloween (say it the French way â€Å"a lo ween†)Friandises ou bà ªtises/ Des bonbons ou un sort – treat or trickSe dà ©guiser  (en) – to wear a costume, to dress-up asJe me dà ©guise en sorcià ¨re – I am wearing a witch costume, I am dressing-up as a witchSculpter une citrouille – to carve a pumpkinFrapper la porte – to knock on the doorSonner la sonnette – to ring the bellFaire peur quelqu’un – to scare someoneAvoir peur  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ to be scaredDonner des bonbons – to give candiesUn dà ©guisement, un costume – a costumeUn fantà ´me – a ghostUn vampire – a vampireUne sorcià ¨re – a witchUne princesse – a princessUn squelette – a skeletonUn à ©pouvantail – a scarecrowUn diable – a devilUne momie – a mummyUn monstre – a monsterUne ch auve-souris – a batUne araignà ©e – a spiderUne toile d’araignà ©e – a spider webUn chat noir – a black catUn potiron, une citrouille – a pumpkinUne bougie – a candleDes bonbons – candies