Like the concept of dressing in costume for Halloween dates back to the ancient Celts, decorating homes also derived from the Irish. American marketing has taken it to a whole new level.
Because of the dark history of Halloween, it wasn’t a big part of early American settlements. When Irish immigrants came to America in large numbers after the Irish potato famine, they brought their Celtic customs, including celebrating Halloween. Over the years, Halloween celebrations started getting wilder and turning violent. Due to this and sugar rationing during World War II, celebrating Halloween was all but abandoned. Post-war, Halloween was once again embraced as a kid-friendly holiday.
Photo by Chuck Gekas
Carved turnips and pumpkins transitioned from warding off spirits to illuminating homes to becoming decorations. With the success of Christmas decorations, companies seized the opportunity to extend their product lines to include Halloween. Other classic Halloween symbols joined pumpkins as Halloween house-decorating became second only to Christmas.
Photo by Hassan Khamsei
I am a big fan of house decorating for any holiday. The best decorations aren’t the largest. I prefer tasteful, artistic decorating. A little extra thought in spacing, color theme and cohesion is much better than a yard full of random objects. Appropriately colored lights are a plus, but, please, no red and green themes for Halloween.
Decorated houses usually start appearing in early October. This year I took pictures of a few of my favorites, and some of my friends joined the fun and sent their favorites to me.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Photo by Nancy Blais
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAirlines
Jan 14, 2025Turkish Airlines Introduces UNESCO Türkiye Series Amenity Kit Collection
Turkish Airlines recently launched a new amenity kit collection, known as the UNESCO Türkiye Series. Inspired by six of Türkiye’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the amenity kit collection allows the airline to bring the country’s cultural treasures to the skies.
Sponsored Content
A Word with Nat Pieper, oneworld CEO
Name: Nat Pieper Title: CEO at oneworld City: Dallas, Texas First job: Stadium vendor
Daily
Jan 14, 2025Costa del Sol, Spain, Doesn’t Hold Back for 2025 Travelers
With the arrival of a new year, Costa del Sol invites travelers to explore its culture, gastronomy, sustainability and wellness offerings. For those looking to disconnect from stress, immerse with nature and discover new cultures, this province of Málaga offers plenty of activities to keep up with your 2025 resolutions. Need some convincing?
Daily
Jan 14, 2025First NH-Branded Hotel Debuts in Bangkok
Minor Hotels, in partnership with Boulevard Hotel Company Limited, opens NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard hotel, the first NH Hotels & Resorts-branded property in Thailand’s capital.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
Daily
Jan 13, 2025Nader Sculpture Park Opens in Miami’s Design District
The latest addition to Miami Design District is Nader Sculpture Park. Founded by art collector Gary Nader and designed by Bea Pernia of BEA Interiors Design, this park is an open- air collection of more than 50 large-scale sculptures residing within Miami’s celebrated neighborhood of fashion, design, art, architecture and dining. Pernia, distinguished by her knack for blending organic materials into expressions of elegance, also has a studio in the city’s design district.
7 Reasons to Ski in Slovenia
Daily
Jan 10, 20257 Off-the-Beaten-Path Asian Hotels
Daily
Jan 10, 2025Daily
Jan 9, 2025New Spier Hotel Launches This Spring in South Africa’s Western Cape
Lauded for its outstanding wines and regenerative farming practices, Spier Wine Farm in South Africa’s Western Cape region prepares to welcome its first guests to its new hotel this spring, with an opening planned for March. Owned by the Enthoven family, the wine estate is located within a protected area known as Cape Floral Kingdom.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades Islands are a hidden gem of Greece, offering breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences for every traveler. Comprised of four main islands — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros — this island cluster is renowned for its lush pine forests, crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches.
Daily
Jan 9, 20255 Wellness Journeys to Try at COMO Hotels & Resorts This Year
Jumpstart your 2025 wellness goals and book one (or more!) of COMO Hotels and Resorts’ COMO Wellness Journeys, held at properties around the world throughout 2025.
ShareThis