Robert asked:


We don Halloween costumes for fun, but the origins of this ancient custom go back to 2,000 years ago, when Celts wore crude costumes to celebrate Samhain. Halloween costumes have a long, somewhat dark history that we’ve thrown out in the spirit of treat-or-treating cheer, and some Christians refuse to celebrate it because of its pagan origins. So what are the true origins of Halloween costumes, what is Samhain, and how did this tradition develop into what it is today?

The Ancient Origins of Halloween Costumes

The ancient origins of Halloween costumes originate from 2,000 years ago, from a sacred Celtic festival called Samhain. Pronounced sow-en, Samhain was an important festival in Celtic culture, celebrating the end of a year and representing the final harvest for farmers. Since Samhain signified the end of a year, Celts also associated it with human death. They believed that on the night of October 31st, ghosts returned to earth, causing trouble for the living. They also believed it made it easier for Druids to make predictions about the future.

Celts would celebrate this ancient holiday by drawing huge bonfires, built by Druids. They would burn crops and animals in the bonfire as sacrifices to Celtic gods and goddesses, while donning costumes made from animal heads and skin. These were the ancient origins of today’s Halloween costumes.

By 43 A.D., Romans ruled most of Celtic territory. During the Romans’ 400 year rule over the Celts, their traditions combined to create a new Samhain. Celts soon celebrated a historical Roman holiday called Feralia, celebrated in late October. Feralia honored the passing of the dead, which was very similar to Samhain’s traditions. The day after that was set aside to honor the Roman goddess Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. It’s believed that the origins of bobbing for apples came from this.

The Origins of Christian Rule on Halloween

Christianity had spread into Celtic territory by the 800s. In an attempt to eradicate Samhain, Pope Boniface IV made November 1 All Saints’ Day, making the Celtic festival a church-approved holiday. All Saints’ Day was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas, and the night before All Saints’ Day was called All-hallows Eve. In the year 1000 the Catholic Church made November 2 All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead. It was very similar to Samhain because they also drew huge bonfires. Christians would usually light big bonfires, dressed up in Christian-approved Halloween costumes (such as a saint or devil) and have parades, honoring the dead.

During the celebrations, poorer residents begged for food. Families would give these residents soul cakes, a type of pastry — but only if they prayed for their family’s dead relatives. The church encouraged families to do this instead of leaving out food during the night. The church wanted to curb non-residents from entering the city and taking advantage of the free food. These were the origins of trick-or-treating.

All-hallows Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day were celebrated for many centuries, collectively called Hallowmas. This holiday eventually turned into what we know today as Halloween. Happy Halloween!

The Origins of Halloween Costumes in North America

When Europeans immigrated to colonial America in the 1700s, they also brought the tradition of Samhain-inspired Halloween. Halloween wasn’t celebrated openly at first because Christians believed it was a pagan holiday, but it was openly celebrated in Maryland. The meshing of different ethnic groups, including the Native Americans, formed a new form of Halloween, closely matching modern America’s version of Halloween. The first official celebrations included public events celebrating the last harvest, where people would tell stories of the dead, read each other’s fortunes, and dance. Halloween didn’t truly become a holiday until the 1800s, when an influx of immigrants moved to America.

When European immigrants flooded America in the 1800s, Halloween surged into American tradition, transforming into today’s version of this popular holiday. Americans wore Halloween costumes to celebrate the holiday, going from house to house asking for food or money. This was the start of modern America’s historical trick-or-treat tradition.

During the late 1800s, Americans tried to change the pagan theme of Halloween into a more acceptable, kid-friendly holiday with appropriate Halloween costumes. They emphasized community and get-togethers rather than the theme of ghosts and witchcraft. During the beginning of the twentieth century, parents were encouraged to remove any pagan-themed costumes out of Halloween celebrations. For the most part that didn’t work, thanks to America’s budding movie industry.

Halloween Costumes Return To Their Pagan Roots By The Twentieth Century

By the 1920s, Halloween became a non-religious holiday focused on community entertainment, including big parades. In 1920, Anoka, Minnesota was the first city to hold an official citywide Halloween celebration. It’s believed the origins of modern trick-or-treating, modern day Halloween, Halloween costumes, and Halloween parades came from Anoka’s first celebrations. Today Anoka regards itself as the Halloween Capital of the World.

By the 1950s, Halloween evolved into a children’s holiday. Every Halloween children dressed up in their scariest costumes (movies such as The Wizard of Oz and Dracula revived these creepy Halloween costumes) and walked from door to door, yelling “Trick or treat!”, opening up their bags for a tasty treat. Many beliefs about paganism’s connection with Halloween dissolved, allowing this sinister holiday to blossom into what it is today.

By 2000, Halloween costumes were a booming industry, making it America’s second biggest holiday. Halloween costumes also catered to adults, providing **** costumes such as the naughty nurse for adult after-parties. This is the end of its evolution in modern day America.

These Halloween costumes have come a long way from its origins in Celtic Ireland, transforming from costumes used to celebrate a serious Pagan holiday into a fun, kid-friendly holiday. The history of these Halloween costumes probably won’t end until the holiday itself dies out — and that future isn’t going to happen in our lifetime.

Robert asked:


We want our kids to have fun during Halloween, but have you thought about the safety of their Halloween costumes? Most of us want our children to wear cool costumes when trick-or-treating, but neglecting a kids’ Halloween costume’s safety can turn that experience sour.

Are your kids’ Halloween costumes too dangerous to wear? Find out if those Halloween costumes are safe to wear, tips for buying safe kids’ Halloween costumes, and how your children can wear cool costumes without sacrificing safety.

Are Your Kids’ Costumes Really Safe to Wear?

Are your kids’ Halloween costumes really safe to wear? The answer is yes and no. In 2001, the Disney Store recalled 54,000 Princess Ariel costumes after one girl received burn injuries. Keep in mind that kids’ Halloween costumes are required by law to use flame-retardant materials.

Another problem is ventilation in full-masked Halloween costumes. Most costumes don’t provide enough ventilation for kids to breathe, resulting in carbon dioxide poisoning. If your child wants to wear a mask, nose holes aren’t enough. Carbon dioxide builds up over time, causing your anxious child to faint from the lack of oxygen. You want your child to wear a well-ventilated mask to prevent any nasty side-effects.

Another lesser problem with kids’ Halloween costumes is visibility. This isn’t just about how well your kids can see; it’s also about how well people see them. A mask limits visibility. If little Joey can’t see where he’s going, he’ll trip and skin his knee. If costumes aren’t visible after dark, people — more importantly, vehicles — won’t see the kids’ Halloween costumes, blindly running over happy trick-or-treaters. Halloween costumes aren’t all bad news, however. Carefully selecting your kids’ costumes and preparing it for night wear eliminates these catastrophes.

How to Select Safe Kids Costumes for Halloween

Before buying your kids’ Halloween costumes, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe. Here are some guidelines:

o All kids’ Halloween costumes are required by law to use flame-retardant materials. You can’t depend on companies adhering to this law, however. Pick clothing that fits well and doesn’t hang. If your child wants to wear a cape, make sure the cape isn’t long. If your child wants to wear a dress, make sure it doesn’t drag on the ground. People love to decorate during Halloween, and some decorations include fire. If a loose costume accidentally brushes against this, it won’t be a happy Halloween!

o Masks should be well-ventilated. Masks should have multiple ventilation areas with big holes, such as hockey masks. Most masks have little ventilation, so skip these kids’ Halloween costumes if you can. If your child insists on looking like their favorite masked character, use makeup instead.

o Make sure that the mask’s eye holes are big enough. Holes should be twice the size of your child’s eyes. Make sure the mask lies flat on their face.

o If you can, stay away from dark clothing. It decreases visibility.

o Don’t pick anything that covers their face, such as a messy wig.

Once your kids’ Halloween costumes are selected, you’ll need to prepare it for night wear.

How to Make Your Kids’ Halloween Attire Safe

There are two ways to prepare your kids for a safe Halloween outing:

o Use reflective tape. This can be bought in most stores. Place two strips on your kids’ shoes and two strips on their Halloween costume. These strips shine in the dark and alert drivers.

o Have your kids carry a flashlight. If your kids don’t like it, find a flashlight with a strap. They can hang it from their wrists and keep it out of sight.

Of course some kids won’t like your safe ideas. Some kids want to wear full-face masks when trick-or-treating. Some won’t like wearing reflective tape. So how do you make your kids happy without sacrificing safety?

Getting Your Kids to Celebrate Halloween Safely

Getting your kids to like your safe ideas is difficult. Here are some suggestions:

o If your child insists on wearing a full-face mask, have your child wear it around the house for a while. Chances are your child won’t want to wear it any longer this Halloween.

o Does your child refuse to wear reflective tape on their Halloween costume? Put it on their bag instead.

o If your kids insist on long clothing, have them wear it around the house. They’ll get tired of it and opt for another kids’ Halloween costume.

If your children still refuse to wear safe kids’ Halloween costumes, talk to them about why it’s important to stay safe on Halloween. Illustrations or stories are very effective with younger children.

Again, it’s always important that your kids are safe this Halloween season, so start with their kids’ Halloween costumes. Make sure their costumes fit snugly, are marked with reflective tape, and don’t interfere with their visibility. It’s important to make the kids’ Halloween costumes safe so they have a happy, safe Halloween — a great Halloween you and your kids will remember for years to come.

Robert asked:


Feel like shocking elderly relatives this year? Perhaps you do not intend on seeing your aunt and uncle at Halloween, recent trends in couples Halloween costumes have shocked crowds. It does not have to be overtly sexual (shocking doesn’t necessarily mean sexual), but a little humor and surprise are always appreciated on Halloween. Here are some wacky ideas for couples Halloween costumes that’ll get everyone’s attention.

Crossdressing Was Never This Fun!

Now here’s a great idea. Instead of going as **** and Jane, go as Jane and ****. Cross-dressing was never this fun, and switching gender roles this Halloween should turn some heads. Maybe your great-aunt Louise won’t approve of it, but young America is approving of it. Go wild! The female can wear the fake beard and mustache; the male better get ready to shave his legs. These couples Halloween costumes are definitely attention-grabbing.

Where to get these couples Halloween costumes? Look to each other for inspiration and visit online Halloween costume stores.

Key To My Heart

This is more of a cute couples Halloween costume than a shocking one. Have the man dress up as the key, and have the woman dress as a big, red heart. Alas, you were meant to be together! This is a definite attention-grabbing costume that’ll please all hopeless romantics.

Where to get these couples Halloween costumes? Buy craft materials or visit an online Halloween costume store.

Pirate Versus Ninja!

Pirates **** ninjas, and ninjas are super stealthy. Revive the feud with this shocking Halloween couples costume. Have the man dress as the scurvy pirate, sharp blade in tow. The woman poses as the quick and cunning ninja, ready to rock your world with her poison-laced katana. Who will win? No one knows, but you can battle it out in Halloween squared circle. Your attention may be on the adversary, but everyone else’s eyes are on your couples Halloween costumes.

Where to get these couples Halloween costumes? Most retail and online Halloween costume stores.

Freddy Versus Jason

Here’s an attention grabber. Dress up as Freddy Krueger and Jason for Halloween — just leave the machete at home. Many couples think their costumes have to be about love, passion, and all that fruity nonsense, but who said you couldn’t freak out a person or two?

Where to get these couples Halloween costumes? Online Halloween costume stores.

Tofu and Ground Meat

What’s better – tofu or beef? Battle it out as the female dresses as the innocent tofu block, and the man dressed as ground meat. This is a hilarious Halloween couples costume, and for added shock, cover the meat costume in fake blood.

Where to get these couples costumes? Buy materials from an online Halloween costume store or visit a local craft store.

Are you ready to try these attention-grabbing ideas? Remember, these attention-grabbing couples Halloween costumes are about creativity and fun – and that fun should be with your spouse. Happy Halloween!