<P> In some parts of Canada, children sometimes say "Halloween apples" instead of "trick or treat ." This probably originated when the toffee apple was a popular type of candy . Apple - giving in much of Canada, however, has been taboo since the 1960s when stories (of almost certainly questionable authenticity) appeared of razors hidden inside Halloween apples; parents began to check over their children's "loot" for safety before allowing them to eat it . In Quebec, children also go door to door on Halloween . However, in French speaking neighbourhoods, instead of "Trick or treat?", they will simply say "Halloween", though in tradition it used to be La charité s'il - vous - plaît ("Charity, please"). </P> <P> In Portugal, children go from house to house in All Saints day and All Souls Day, carrying pumpkin carved lanterns called coca, asking every one they see for Pão - por - Deus singing rhymes where they remind people why they are begging, saying "...It is for me and for you, and to give to the deceased who are dead and buried (...)" or "(...) It is to share with your deceased (...)" If a door is not open or the children don't get anything, they end their singing saying "(...) In this house smells like lard, here must live someone deceased". In the Azores the bread given to the children takes the shape of the top of a skull . The tradition of pão - por - Deus was already recorded in the 15th century . After this ritual begging, takes place the Magusto and big bonfires are lit with the "firewood of the souls". The young people play around smothering their faces with the ashes . The ritual begging for the deceased used to take place all over the year as in several regions the dead, those who were dear, were expected to arrive and take part in the major celebrations like Christmas and a plate with food or a seat at the table was always left for them . </P> <P> In Sweden, children dress up as witches and monsters when they go trick - or - treating on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter) while Danish children dress up in various attires and go trick - or - treating on Fastelavn (or the next day, Shrove Monday). In Norway, "trick - or - treat" is called "knask eller knep", which means almost the same thing, although with the word order reversed, and the practice is quite common among children, who come dressed up to people's doors asking for, mainly, candy . Many Norwegians prepare for the event by consciously buying a small stock of sweets prior to it, to come in handy should any kids come knocking on the door, which is very probable in most areas . The Easter witch tradition is done on Palm Sunday in Finland . In parts of Flanders and some parts of the Netherlands and most areas of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, children go to houses with homemade beet lanterns or with paper lanterns (which can hold a candle or electronic light), singing songs about St. Martin on St. Martin's Day (the 11th of November), in return for treats . In Northern Germany and Southern Denmark, children dress up in costumes and go trick - or - treating on New Year's Eve in a tradition called "Rummelpott". </P> <P> UNICEF started a program in 1950 called Trick - or - Treat for UNICEF in which trick - or - treaters ask people to give money for the organization, usually instead of collecting candy . Participating trick - or - treaters say when they knock at doors "Trick - or - treat for UNICEF!" This program started as an alternative to candy . The organization has long produced disposable collection boxes that state on the back what the money can be used for in developing countries . </P>

Who began the tradition of trick or treating on halloween and why