At this point, you're likely aware of the fact that Halloween is actually Irish - based upon Samhain, a Gaelic celebration dating back to the 8th Century - so here's a host of other Halloween-related factoids you might not know about.

5. The first jack-o'-lanterns were carved out of turnips, beets and the lesser known mangelwurzels

Pumpkins came into use because they were larger and softer, making them a lot easier to carve.

4. The facial expressions commonly carved into pumpkins are supposed to represent spirits and goblins

Miley Cyrus' pumpkins represent something different entirely.

3. Trick or treating is believed to be based on "souling"

This is where poor people, who went door-to-door on Halloween, were given soul cakes or simply "souls" in exchange for singing songs in celebration of the dead. Before you get too jealous, they were akin to the common raisin-filled Christmas cake, but without the icing. Bleugh.

2. Bonfires were originally lit to wade off spirits

The flames, smoke and ash were deemed to have protective and cleansing powers - one Christian minister even claimed they were used to warn witches about "their awaiting punishment in hell". In other words, we're pretty sure they weren't made out of tyres and wooden crates. We're also fairly certain they weren't surrounded by teenagers drinking too many cans of Bavaria.

© Copyright Alfie

1. France, Austria and Australia are just a few of the countries which DO NOT celebrate Halloween

It's being slowly introduced to most western countries - after all, who wouldn't want to get away with wearing whatever they liked, even if it's for one night only?