One of this year’s jack-o-lanterns.

We had surprisingly few trick-or-treaters today. I wonder if we might get another round on Friday.

Halloween is a confusing holiday for Swedes. We have two All Hallows’ Days: the traditional one on 1st November, and a modern extra one introduced some 60+ years (because we had too few holidays in autumn). That one falls on the Saturday between 31st October and 6th November. They have very similar names (alla helgons dag and allhelgonadagen) and I can never remember which one is which.

And Halloween is not rooted in Swedish traditions at all – it’s a modern import. And there is great confusion and disagreement about when it should be celebrated: on the eve of one of the All Hallows’ Days, but which one?