The Great Pumpkin

The pumpkin has been a long standing tradition during the month of October in modern America for centuries. The concept of carving a Jack O'Lantern during Halloween came about due to an Irish myth about a man named "Stingy Jack." The story revolves around Jack tricking the Devil multiple times due to his mischievous nature. Once Jack finally died, he was not allowed in to heaven because of his mean nature. He was also not allowed into Hell because of an agreement between him and the Devil. Instead, Jack was sent into the night with just a burning coal to light his way. Jack carved a turnip and placed the coal inside and the legend is that he has roamed the earth ever since. The Irish soon referred to this ghoulish figure as "Jack of the Lantern", which eventually became what we know today as "Jack O'Lantern."

Older versions of the Jack O'Lantern were made of turnips and potatoes, where scary faces would be carved into them and placed in windows to scare Jack and other ghostly spirits away. Eventually, immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought the Jack O'Lantern tradition with them to the United States and found that the pumpkin actually made the perfect carving surface.

As youngsters prepare for an evening of tricks and treats for Halloween, pumpkins will certainly be at the top of every one's list to complete their front yard decorations. As pumpkins will be lit up everywhere, The Gift Basket Pros also want to suggest sending a pumpkin full of yummy delicious candy to those ghosts and goblins that you won't be able to be with during this spooky time. A Halloween Gift Basket may not be as magical and decorative as a real pumpkin, but it certainly earns points for not being as messy! Happy Halloween to all!