万圣节前夕是美国人年年都会庆祝的秋季节日.它的意思是“神圣的夜晚”,在每年的10月31日,也就是万圣节前夜.但实际上这不是一个真正的宗教节日,而主要是孩子们的节日. 　　每年秋天蔬菜成熟可以食用的时候,孩子们就会挑出大个儿的橙色南瓜.然后在南瓜上刻上一张脸,把一根点燃的蜡烛放在里面.看起来就好像有人在向南瓜外面张望.这些灯就叫做“iack-o'-lantems”,意思也就是“杰克的灯”. 　　每年万圣节前夕孩子们还戴上奇怪的面具,穿上吓人的服装.有些孩子把脸刷成怪物.然后他们拿着盒子或袋子挨家挨户串门.每来到一个新房子他们就说：“不款待就捣乱!给钱还是吃的!”大人们就会把用来招待的钱或糖放在他们的袋子里了. 　　不仅孩子,许多成年人也喜欢万圣节前夕和万圣节前夕晚会.因为这一天他们可以根据自己的想象把自己装扮成名流或幽灵.这会带给他们年轻的快感. 　　HalloweenisanautumnholidaythatAmericanscelebrateeveryyear.Itmeans"holyevening,"anditcomeseveryOctober31,theeveningbeforeAllSaints'Day.However,itisnotreallyachurchholiday,itisaholidayforchildrenmainly. 　　Everyautumn,whenthevegetablesarereadytoeat,childrenpicklargeorangepumpkins.Thentheycutfacesinthepumpkinsandputaburningcandleinside.Itlooksasiftherewereapersonlookingoutofthepumpkin!Theselightsarecalledjack-o'-lanterns,whichmeans"Jackofthelantern". 　　ThechildrenalsoputonstrangemasksandfrighteningcostumeseveryHalloween.Somechildrenpainttheirfacestolooklikemonsters.Thentheycarryboxesorbagsfromhousetohouse.Everytimetheycometoanewhouse,theysay,"Trickortreat!Moneyoreat!"Thegrown-upsputtreat-moneyorcandyintheirbags. 　　Notonlychildren,butmostgrown-upsalsoloveHalloweenandHalloweenpartiesbecauseonthisday,theycandisguisethemselvesaspersonagesorghostastheirimaginationswillleadthem.Thisbringthemthesatisfactionofbeingyoung.