Halloween 2017

This is the first Halloween Starbucks Card made for North America. Released September 19th, 2017.

Halloween has many superstitions, one being - avoiding crossing paths with black cats, afraid that they might bring us bad luck. The black cat is included in this premier design. A piece of candy is also shown here as part of today's Halloween. The American tradition of “trick-or-treating” probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as “going a-souling” was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money. Lastly, the design shows a jack-o-lantern made from a bright orange pumpkin. Many years ago, it's said that to distract spirits from settling into houses and farms, people would carve rudimentary faces into large turnips, and set candles inside. The turnip lanterns would rest along roadways and next to gates, to both light the way for travelers and caution any passing fairies against invading. Today, we use the pumpkin - mostly for fun.