Halloween is usually celebrated on October 31 or in the weekends before and after this date amongst family, friends and, sometimes, co-workers. In the UK, Halloween traditions are very popular. Here are some of the most common ones.
Pumpkin lanterns
These are pumpkins with the insides taken out and eyes, a mouth and a nose cut into one side. A candle is placed inside the empty pumpkin. The light creates a "scary face" effect. People make pumpkin lanterns to decorate their homes and gardens on Halloween.
But do people actually eat their pumpkins? Yes, they do! Pumpkin soup and pumpkin curry are very popular meals at this time of year.
Dressing up
People of all ages dress up on Halloween. The most popular costume (化装服) ideas include witches, vampires, ghosts, skeletons, zombies and monsters. You can buy a costume from a shop or make your own at home. It's easy to make a ghost costume from an old white sheet (床单) or wear black clothes to look like a witch.
Trick-or-treating
The custom of "trick-or-treat" appeared in the 1950s. It came from the US and is the most popular among kids. Children dress up in fancy costumes and visit the houses in their neighborhood asking for a "trick or treat". Their neighbors give them sweets or money as a treat. If there is no treat, the children play a trick on the neighbor. Some people think that playing tricks is rude (粗鲁的), but luckily, there is almost always a treat. People often have a bowl of small presents or sweets to offer to anyone who knocks on your door.
Whether you decide to go to a Halloween party or go trick-or-treating, we hope you've got some ideas for celebrating Halloween.
