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How Kids Do Trick-or-Treating Around the World

By,
Gourmandize

© Getty Images

Portugal

On All Saints' Day in Portugal, children go door-to-door reciting verses in exchange for bread (pão-por-Deus). The rhymes explain the reason for their "begging," which is that anything they receive is meant to be shared with the deceased. Sometimes, if people don't respond or pretend they have nothing to give, the kids will then chant something menacing and playful, probably similar to: "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear!" After this, the children are usually rewarded with cakes, sweets, pomegranates, chestnuts, dried fruit biscuits, etc. Apparently, this tradition dates all the way back to the 15th century and its practice varies depending on the region.


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