Today is Halloween.

Today is Halloween.

Halloween in the United States is one of the most anticipated holidays for children. Every year on October 31, kids dress up in creative costumes—ghosts, superheroes, witches, animals—and go from house to house shouting, “Trick or treat!” In return, they receive candies from neighbors who decorate their homes with pumpkins, cobwebs, and spooky lights.

This year, Halloween arrived with a chill. The wind was fierce, and fallen leaves swirled in the air like little tornadoes. Halloween costumes are usually quite thin, so the children shivered as they braved the cold, walking door to door for candy. Yet seeing their bright smiles, I realized that harsh weather doesn’t matter at all when you’re young and full of excitement.

Many families take Halloween decorating very seriously. In our neighborhood, three neighbors go all out every year, turning their houses into a kind of local attraction. Kids from other blocks even come to our area for trick-or-treating because of them. The street becomes lively and full of laughter.

As an artist, you might expect me to create something elaborate, but ironically, I kept my decorations simple—a few mini pumpkins, some chrysanthemums, and an acrylic pumpkin I painted myself. In truth, houses with modest decorations are often skipped by children, and some people even turn off their lights to avoid visitors. But strangely, kids still come to my door.

I hand them chocolates and say, “Happy Halloween!” Each child’s personality shows in how they take the candy. Some politely take one piece and say, “Thank you! Happy Halloween!” Others grab a handful and sometimes drop them while running away. One child even said “Nihao” to me as he scooped up his candy. That’s fine—it’s just a child, after all. I’ve experienced far worse things in life, and moments like this don’t bother me anymore. Still, I can’t help but notice the difference that home education makes.

One boy loudly said, “Oh, I hate this one! I don’t like this chocolate!”—without realizing I could understand him perfectly well. Encounters like that can be disheartening, but then another child with clear, kind eyes comes along, saying “Thank you” with genuine warmth, and suddenly the world feels bright again. 

As I grow older, I begin to understand why grandmothers hand out the best chocolates with such joy. They are sharing light. Perhaps next year, I’ll raise the quality of my candy too. This year, inflation made even Halloween more expensive—I spent nearly $150 on chocolates that used to cost about $50. Still, seeing how many families put effort and heart into preparing for this day makes me feel grateful.
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When I look at houses beautifully decorated like works of art, I can’t help but smile. Halloween, in its colorful chaos, reveals something truly warm about community—the joy of giving, sharing, and lighting up the night together.