365 Squarey Monsters: Guess What Drink Lit Halloween's Fuse

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Guess What Drink Lit Halloween's Fuse

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More than 2,000 years ago, the Celts held a festival called Samhain to mark the end of the harvest and the start of winter. They believed it was a time when the line between the living and the dead grew thin, so they lit fires and wore disguises to ward off spirits.

Those rituals evolved over time. When the holiday we now know as Halloween arrived in America, it morphed into a playful night for children: They wore homemade costumes while running door to door, and the whole neighborhood joined in. It was simple fun that brought people together.

Then Halloween grew up.

I was discussing this with Larry Zarin, a marketing wiz and current 1-800-Flowers.com board member. He reminded me that back in the early '80s, beer companies helped spark that shift. They launched "Fright Night" promotions with banners and icons, like Elvira, Mistress of the Night. As Larry put it, those campaigns "lit the fuse" that turned Halloween into a celebration for everyone.

A growing number of scary movies, haunted houses, and block parties accelerated Halloween's popularity. But amid all this change, the heart of the holiday hasn't changed. For a few weeks in October, we're still celebrating the joy of community before darkness sets in.

Little rituals with a lasting impact

I can feel the Halloween spirit shining through in the stories that many of you have shared with me over the past few weeks. Each one is a reminder of how the simple traditions of this holiday bring us together and strengthen the bonds we share, no matter our age. As one community member, Cherie, shared:

"Every year, I placed white skeletons in our windows and had a big bowl of candy. I still have caramel apples and decorate the entrance to our complex. I'm 71 years old and still have Halloween spirit!"

For Deb, Halloween means transforming her home into the "best house on the block."

"Spiderwebs hung from the beams, orange and black crepe paper swirled throughout. Peanut butter and fluff sandwiches cut with Halloween cookie cutters. Orange sherbet punch and a homemade cake. It's a feast!"

Years later, a young woman who'd trick-or-treated at Deb's house as a child returned with her own baby, saying it was still her favorite house. "What a sweet compliment," she told me. "Those were the best of days."

Tricks & treats

When you think of Halloween, there's one ritual that immediately comes to mind: trick-or-treating! It's generosity in disguise, literally giving something to a stranger. As some of your stories show, those treats do not always come in fun-size candy bars.

One of my favorite rituals involves my long-time assistant, Patty. Every year, instead of handing out candy, she buys boxes of Cheryl's Cookies and hands out the individually wrapped treats. Needless to say, she's a hit with kids … and adults.

Sometimes, the best memories come from the tricks.

Susan shared this one: "When I was 12, I thought it would be fun to trick-or-treat at my own house. My dad came to the door, put candy in my sack, and said, 'Oh, Susie! You almost had me!' He knew it was me because the bag had the name of a store from our old town."

I had a good laugh at that one. My kids used to think they could trick dear ol' dad with their costumes, too. But I always knew. I also always enforced a strict "candy tax" — payable immediately in Snickers. Fair's fair, right?

Rituals & memories across generations

Many of your stories reminded me how Halloween connects us across time — between generations and even the people we've loved and lost.

Nancy told me about her brother, a widower and retired Marine, who turns his garage into a 1950s-style celebration with music, decorations, a giant bowl of candy, and a line of happy kids. "He invites the children to grab a handful and share their favorite Halloween story," she wrote. "He enjoys himself more than all the children combined!"

Then there's Diane, who found a touching way to keep her father's memory alive. After he passed away, she transformed his old neckties into Halloween costumes for her daughters.

"We cut them into pieces — the longer ones for my older daughter, the shorter for my younger — and sewed them into colorful gypsy skirts. They were so happy with Papa's tie costumes, and unlike any others they saw that night."

Extending Halloween magic

Reading these stories reminds me why Halloween has lasted through the ages. It's about dressing up and passing something down.

Each generation adds its own touch, making the holiday a little more personal and a little more meaningful. When Larry and I were talking about how a few clever marketers helped Halloween "grow up," what struck me was that people never lost sight of the holiday's heart. Every new tradition didn't replace the old but added another layer to the story.

This year, whether you're carving pumpkins, walking miles for candy, or handing out treats from your front porch, remember that you're part of something bigger. You're keeping the magic of Halloween alive, one ritual at a time.

All the best,
Jim

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a reminder to celebrate the talents and contributions of people with all abilities. In this episode of Celebrate Your Story, we meet Karen Patrohay, a mother whose love and dedication helped her son Michael turn a high school project into a thriving business: Michael's Barkery.

It all began in 2017, when Michael, then a high school senior, was assigned a project tied to his career aspirations. With help from his loyal dog, Sunshine, he cooked up a plan to bake and sell wholesome, homemade dog treats.

Inspired by the school assignment and guided by Karen, Michael's idea eventually blossomed into a full-service pet boutique, complete with retail, grooming, and a kitchen — while also providing meaningful employment for people with special needs.

Karen first shared her family's journey with me as a Celebrations Pulse reader, and I was so moved by her story that I invited her to join us on the podcast.

This episode is extra special because it's co-hosted by my niece, Julie, who brings her own insights as a mother navigating similar challenges with her son. Together, they explore the highs, the challenges, and the heart behind creating opportunities for people with cognitive differences.

Honoring a legacy of compassion

Last week, the 1-800-Flowers team in Atlanta proudly accepted the Greg Block Hero Award from our partners at First Step Staffing, a nonprofit that helps people experiencing homelessness or barriers to employment find meaningful work. Over the years, our facility in Atlanta has welcomed many talented team members who came to us through First Step.

I first heard about the organization several years ago on a plane while sitting next to a woman named Monica. It was a Sunday, and the cabin was filled with football fans — except Monica. She had recently lost her husband, Greg Block, and shared his remarkable story.

Greg believed that steady work could restore dignity and create new beginnings. In 2007, he founded First Step Staffing to help people get back on their feet. Since then, it's grown to serve more than 8,000 people each year.(Check out my conversation with CEO Amelia Nickerson to learn more about First Step.)

Monica's story resonated with me. At Smile Farms, which my family founded 10 years ago, we've seen how meaningful employment can change lives. Every day, we empower people with disabilities to grow, learn, and earn through the dignity of work, helping them build confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.

Last week, Forbes magazine published an article that highlights the special relationship between First Step and 1-800-Flowers.com.

Oct. 28 is National Chocolate Day!

I have a friend who celebrated her 60th birthday by asking guests to bring only one thing: chocolate. They arrived with bars, truffles, and treats from around the world. It was a deliciously memorable way to mark a milestone, one bite at a time.

Chocolate has that kind of impact on us, which is why National Chocolate Day on Tuesday is a perfect excuse to pause and indulge in one of life's simplest and most satisfying pleasures.

Chocolate has been bringing people together for centuries. From the sacred cacao rituals of ancient cultures to the cozy comfort of hot cocoa on a cold afternoon, it has a timeless way of warming both hearts and hands. At Harry & David, we celebrate that tradition through the bold flavors of our handcrafted truffles and the rich complexity of our Scharffen Berger bars. Each one is a reminder that the best moments are meant to be savored.

This Tuesday, invite yourself or a loved one to slow down and enjoy the moment. Maybe that's the true magic of this day: It's nearly impossible not to smile when chocolate is involved.

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Guess What Drink Lit Halloween's Fuse

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