I remember my first Halloween. It was a chilly evening on October 31, 1988. I was far away from my home country

, while another had a bag filled with candy. They excitedly exclaimed, "Trick or treat!"

Without wasting any time, I asked my neighbors about this tradition, and they explained that Halloween is a holiday celebrated annually on October 31st, primarily in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It is believed to have originated from ancient Celtic festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival called Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

The tradition of trick-or-treating involves children dressing up in costumes and visiting houses in their neighborhood, asking for treats by saying "trick or treat." If the homeowner provides them with candy or small gifts, they happily move on to the next house. However, if they are not given any treats, they may play a harmless prank or trick on the homeowner.

Now, let"s talk about the children"s costumes. Halloween is a time when people of all ages enjoy dressing up as different characters. The children who knocked on my door were dressed as ghosts, witches, queens, and cowboys. These costumes are popular choices among kids during Halloween. Ghosts are often depicted as white sheets with cutout eyes, and witches are usually seen in black robes with pointed hats. Queens may be inspired by fairy tales or historical figures, while cowboys often wear hats, vests, and boots to imitate the Wild West.

The masks the children were holding with eye and nose cutouts are a common accessory for Halloween costumes. They can be used to hide one"s identity or as a way to enhance the character being portrayed. Masks can be made from various materials such as plastic, paper, or fabric, and they come in different designs to match the costume.

As for the bag filled with candy, it is customary for homeowners to prepare treats in advance to give to trick-or-treaters. These treats usually consist of small, individually wrapped candies or chocolates. Homeowners may also offer other goodies like cookies, fruit, or even small toys. The purpose of giving out treats is to spread joy and celebrate the festive spirit of Halloween.

In conclusion, Halloween is an exciting holiday celebrated on October 31st. It involves dressing up in costumes, going door-to-door, and saying "trick or treat" to collect candy or small gifts. The tradition of Halloween originated from ancient Celtic festivals and has become popular worldwide. It is a time for people to express their creativity through costumes and enjoy the thrill of trick-or-treating.