前一陣子，到賣場採買物品時，最顯眼處擺放著中秋節時令商品，如烤肉架、烤肉醬木炭、火種、免洗碗盤等，還貼心的放了一些瓦斯爐與電烤盤，方便人們在家或露台快速開烤，在生鮮食品區，另備有特色肉排與串燒及異國風味生鮮，讓人們連烤甚麼東西，都想好了，當然，應景的月餅及柚子是少不了的，中秋節過了之後，賣場很快的佈置了萬聖節主題專區，趕緊抓住下一波商機，在人們都還沒意識到萬聖節即將來臨時，商人們都想到了，商人真是太會賺錢了。
其實我小時候，只有在電視或電影中，看到西方國家過萬聖節的景象，普遍來說，這裡根本不慶祝萬聖節，然而這幾年，我猜是幼稚園推廣萬聖節這節目，因為孩童可以肆無忌憚地要糖果吃，所以孩童接受度很高，而父母可以與孩童一起變裝為各式角色，有些母親會和女兒裝扮為壞皇后與白雪公主，前幾年最流行的是媽媽裝扮為《SPY×FAMILY 間諜家家酒》中的約兒，女兒裝扮為有著粉色短髮的安妮亞，不但可以親子互動，又可自娛娛人，所以，年輕父母們對於萬聖節的接受度也很高。
不是每位父母都有手作能力，可以化腐朽為神奇，做出一套套令人驚嘆的裝扮服裝，所以各式各樣的變裝服飾及道具，如漫威英雄、靈氣仙女、嚇人鬼怪等服裝，讓人省去製作服裝的麻煩，可以一秒變裝，立刻迎接萬聖節，賣場的孩童套裝，價錢大概落在四百元台幣到七百元台幣之間，最貴的是蝙蝠女套裝，女孩的稍貴一些，男孩的便宜一點，我想了一會，最省錢的作法，會是買一個面具，加上小道具，如披風或翅膀，也是可以應付一下萬聖節活動的變裝需求，對了，還要拿一些糖果零食，應付上門討要糖果的妖魔鬼怪們。
A while ago, when I went shopping at a supermarket, the most eye-catching section was filled with Mid-Autumn Festival items, such as BBQ grills, barbecue sauce, charcoal, fire starters, and disposable plates and bowls. They even had gas stoves and electric grills ready for people who wanted to have a quick BBQ at home or on their balconies. In the fresh food section, there was also a selection of special cuts of meat, skewers, and fresh ingredients with international flavors. It was as if they had already planned the entire BBQ menu for everyone. Of course, mooncakes and pomelos were a must for the season. Once the Mid-Autumn Festival was over, the supermarket quickly switched things up and set up a Halloween-themed section to catch the next wave of business. Before most people had even realized that Halloween was just around the corner, the retailers were already prepared. These merchants really know how to make money!
When I was a kid, I only saw people celebrating Halloween in Western countries on TV or in movies. Generally speaking, nobody around here really celebrated Halloween back then. However, in recent years, I suspect kindergartens have played a big role in promoting the holiday. After all, kids can go around asking for candy without getting into trouble, so it's no surprise that they love it. Parents can also dress up with their children as all kinds of characters. Some mothers and daughters, for example, dress up as the Evil Queen and Snow White. A few years ago, one of the most popular combinations was a mother dressed as Yor from SPY×FAMILY, while her daughter dressed up as Anya, the little girl with pink hair. It's a fun way for parents and kids to spend time together while entertaining everyone around them. No wonder younger parents have become so enthusiastic about Halloween.
Of course, not every parent has the DIY skills to turn ordinary materials into amazing costumes. That's why stores sell all kinds of costumes and accessories, from Marvel superheroes and magical fairies to creepy monsters and ghosts. These ready-made outfits save people the trouble of making everything themselves, allowing them to transform into their favorite characters in seconds and get ready for Halloween. Children's costumes at the supermarket generally cost between NT$400 and NT$700. The most expensive one I saw was a Batgirl costume. Girls' outfits seemed to be a little more expensive, while boys' costumes were slightly cheaper. After thinking about it for a while, I figured the cheapest option would be to buy a mask and add a few simple accessories, such as a cape or a pair of wings. That should be enough to meet the dress-up requirements for most Halloween activities. Oh, and don't forget to stock up on some candy and snacks, just in case a bunch of little monsters show up at your door asking for treats!