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There are traditions we look forward to when the weather becomes cooler and the air is crisp. It’s fun to dress up for Halloween, go to a pumpkin patch, and pick some apples. There are fall festivals to attend and cider to drink.
Activities such as bobbing for apples are expected at these gatherings. In this post-COVID world, it’s natural to want to avoid doing that because it has the potential to spread germs. Let’s take a look at how this fall mainstay activity got started and how it is done traditionally, and examine some more sanitary alternatives for bobbing for apples.
The History Behind Bobbing for Apples
Believe it or not, bobbing for apples has its roots in romance. It is not known exactly who first started this courtship ritual, but we know it was around as far back as the 14th century. It Great Britain, young women would attempt to retrieve an apple from the water that represented their male suitor.
If it only took her one try to get the fruit, it was believed the relationship would be a happy one. If it took her two tries, the romance would only last for a sort time. Three or more tries, and the relationship was doomed. That’s a lot of pressure to put on an apple!
How the Tradition Got to the United States
This dating game was performed with some variations all over Europe. Sometimes a group of women would play it together and whoever was the first to get the apple would be believed to get married first. Some women even put the prize apple under their pillow to dream about their future love.
This game lost mainstream popularity in Europe in the 1800s but made a comeback at the end of the century in the US. European immigrants brought it over with them as part of their culture. It was a little bit of home that connected them to their roots.
Why Is It a Halloween Game?
Before Halloween as we know it today, there was a pagan Celtic holiday called Samhain. This holiday celebrated the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the colder months. It was believed that the veil that separated the living and the dead was thin during this time so people could communicate with their ancestors. Apple season is late summer to late fall, so of course this delicious fruit was part of the festivities.
As Christianity spread through Europe, it took over many already established pagan holidays. All Saints Day or All Hallows’ Day was established by Pope Boniface IV but moved to November 1 by Pope Gregory III. This holiday honors all the saints who don’t have a day of their own. Gatherings began celebrating saints instead of ancestors, but the old traditions — such as bobbing for apples — remained. “Souling,” a practice where poor people would go door to door to ask for soul-cake, also became part of the observance. Halloween has its roots in both of these previous holidays.
The Traditional Way To Play
The old-school way to play this game is very simple. You will need a large container filled about three-quarters full of water. Place washed apples in the container as well.
One at a time, have contestants try to get an apple out of the container without using their hands. The person with the fastest time wins. You can set a time limit if necessary. Keep towels on hand, because it is going to be a wet game.
Apple Bobbing Alternatives:
Individual Bowls or Buckets
The traditional way to play has its flaws — the biggest issue being the possibility of spreading germs to another player. One way to avoid this is by giving each player their own bucket or container. This keeps the spirit of the game alive without the germs.
Use Tools Instead
Another way to play this classic game and keep it sanitary is by skipping the whole use-your-mouth thing. Instead, you can have players use tools. You can get as creative as you want with this by incorporating tongs, chopsticks, or small spoons into the activity.
Hanging Apples
If you still want to keep the eating element of the game, you can make it more hygienic. To do this use a clothing line. Tie an apple on a string and hang it from the clothing line, and repeat this so each player has an apple. The person who eats the most of their apple in the time limit wins. No hands allowed.
Hanging Doughnuts
A similar sanitary alternative for bobbing for apples is using doughnuts instead. Tie a string through the center of the hole and hang the doughnut on a clothes line or something similar. The first person to eat their doughnut off the string is the winner. You can use apple cider doughnuts for bonus points.
Apple Toss
If you want to keep the splash, considering hosting an “apple” toss. Divide players into teams of two. Each teams gets their own “apple,” which is really a red water balloon. Players face their teammate and throw the apple to each other. On every toss they take a step back. If the apple pops during the throwing or catching process, the team is out. Continue the game until only one team still stands.
Apple Kebabs
Sometimes you don’t need a competition. Instead, you can get creative and make something yummy. Consider setting up a station to make apple kebabs. Slice apples and put them on sticks.
People can dip them in a sauce of their choosing, such as caramel or chocolate. Then they can decorate the slice with such things as sprinkles, nuts, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips. Now they have a sweet treat to enjoy.
