Witch Hazel and the true meaning of Halloween

Shirley Stirling portrait

Never ask which witch is Witch Hazel, because there is only one, and if you go to the right place (Olympia) at the right time (on the evening of October 31^st), you might meet her, and, if you do, there will be no doubt.

For almost 50 years, she has been delighting trick-or-treaters with her witchy presence, spookily beautiful decorations, high, cackling, nonstop conversation, and, oh yes, treats. She’s only missed two Halloweens since 1971, (also twice during COVID). Once visitors discover her, they are under her spell for life. They return every year. There are kids who have eventually brought their own kids to see her on Halloween and so it goes into the future, a tradition.

How did she get here?

How did Witch Hazel originally get to Olympia? By broomstick, of course, where she met a sympathetic soul mate, Mrs. Olson. Mrs. Olson graciously moves out of her house for a few days each year for Witch Hazel to set up a wonderland of decorations throughout every room (she even has a skeleton in the bathtub), and a few in the yard. Nothing is so inviting as the skeleton reclining in the front garden’s treasure chest!

Witch Hazel from tip to toe times four.

What does she wear?

As explained by her grandchild, Natasha,

The costume comprises the following:

• Hat made by Mrs. Olson of black fabric to which she added Fred, the frog, and a pumpkin pin made by her daughter Marsi, to keep the brim from falling over her eyes
• Glasses with what some say might be a fake nose
• Long wig that changes from year to year
• Long dress made by Mrs. Olson from a sheet she dyed black herself (it has faded slightly over time)
• Apron, also made by Mrs. Olson, from orange and black Halloween fabric complete with a large pocket for storing Hazel's nose between visitors
• Orange and black striped socks and black leather shoes laced with black and orange laces
• Black and orange cape
• Spider web gloves, and
• Various items of jewelry on loan from Mrs. Olson

Why, you ask, did Mrs. Olson create Hazel’s costume for her? This writer thinks you ask too many questions.

Ceramic pumpkin made by Mrs. Olson, displayed on the dining room table.

What does she do?

According to grandchild Natasha, the trick-or-treat ritual goes like this,

“A person, usually a child, but not always, goes up to the Olson residence, rings the doorbell, and recites, ‘Trick-or-treat’, after that Hazel will start her performance. She first greets the trick-or-treaters with a welcoming cackle. ‘Well, who do we have here?’ after which, each kid gets a gummy body part or two, each with a cackle and a witchy description, then gives each their choice of chocolate, and finally gives each kid a toy so it isn't ‘just candy’.

She laughs and talks and cackles the whole time, creating banter and a sense of wonder in the kids and their parents, who she often beckons to the door by yelling, ‘Well, how about a kiss, honey?’ If the parents oblige and come greet Hazel, (they don't actually have to kiss her), she will reward them with a large chocolate eyeball.”

Needlework by Mrs. Olson. 

For the love of witches

Mrs. Olson traces her love of witches back to her mother, who inspired her daughter to start a collection. For Mrs. Olson, Witch Hazel represents a connection back to her mother and forward to future generations of kids. She wants to inspire people to enjoy Halloween and appreciate the diversity of witches, who can be good as well as bad! Witch Hazel provides Halloween joy to Olympia – and the world.

Skeleton is in the front garden, previously reclining but now climbing out of a pirate’s treasure chest.

The true meaning of Halloween

Natasha knows all. “Hazel,” she explained, “embodies Halloween just as Santa Claus embodies Christmas. I remember my sister and I believed in Witch Hazel far longer than we believed in Santa Claus, and the transformation from Mrs. Olson to Hazel is so complete that she’s even confused adults who couldn’t recognize the actress behind the character.”

The Witch Hazel tradition brings people together and inspires a sense of joy and wonder about Halloween. Witch Hazel teaches everyone she meets the true meaning of Halloween: Fun!

Shirley Stirling, of Lacey, writes about good things people in Thurston County are doing. I you'd like to nominate someone to be profiled, contact her at shirley@theJOLTnews.com or comment below.