The celebration of Halloween began a long time ago when people took the last of their food from the fields. This harvest signaled the beginning of winter when animals were brought into shelter and people began to work indoors. November 1st is the ancient Celtic holiday to remember the dead. People believed that the dead came to visit the living on this night and so families left food out for their dead loved ones. This tradition of giving out food is now the Halloween tradition of giving treats to visitors in scary costumes. This holiday is known as Samhain (sow-en).

In ancient Ireland, people who believed in "little people" or fairies would play tricks on one another and have fun before the darkness of winter came. Like New Year's Eve, Samhain was a time to plan projects for the future, leave behind all past troubles and bad habits and plan to start the year in a good, new way.

In modern times, Halloween is celebrated as a holiday to wear costumes and attend a party. Young costumed children often go from home to home "trick or treating". It is customary to give "trick or treaters" some kind of candy or snack. This is called a "treat". "Tricks" or jokes can be played on others on Halloween evening. Most tricks are not harmful, but some tricks can be quite damaging to people and property.

Halloween in the United States is a holiday where you can see many people wandering the streets on the night of October 31st. They are dressed in costumes or wear special make-up. Children wear costumes when they go "trick or treating" and adults wear costumes when they go to "costume parties".

Some typical costumes for children are cartoon characters like: Fairy Princesses, Pirates, Animals and Monsters. Adults wear many different kinds of costumes. Some dress as their favorite movie star or singer. Some dress as famous people in history such as Cleopatra or in a mask with the face of a past or present President. Some also wear Monster costumes.

People try to be as scary, beautiful, ugly, funny or shocking as they can. Being able to be a different person by changing one's appearance one night of the year is what makes Halloween a very creative holiday.

All Saints Day or All Hallow's Eve is also celebrated on October 31st. This is a Christian holiday to remember very holy people called saints. To be "hallowed" means to be thought of as "very special and holy in a religious sense". Saints are hallowed people who gave their lives for their religion. There are saints in many world religions. How do you think Halloween got its name? All Hallow's Eve was shortened to Halloween!

(From: E-mail English Intermediate/Englishtown. www.englishtown.com)