By Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
Halloween is the time of year when the air is crisp, pumpkins glow and spooky season vibes are everywhere. There’s candy in every corner, haunted houses waiting to terrify you and the perfect excuse to binge-watch horror movies while arguing about whether candy corn is good (spoiler: it’s not). It should be the most fun holiday ever, right? It is until someone asks, “So, what will you be for Halloween?”
Don’t get me wrong — I love Halloween. I mean, who doesn’t love a holiday that encourages you to take candy from strangers? But the moment costume planning starts, the fun takes a bit of a nosedive. You’d think with thousands of potential costumes out there, it would be easy. But it’s not.
Let’s talk about the planning process. First, there’s the pressure to be original. You don’t want to show up as the tenth superhero or pirate at the party. You need something clever, but not too clever. If you’re stuck explaining your costume all night, the magic’s gone.
To make things easier, I usually head to Spirit Halloween, but even that comes with its own set of frustrations. Halloween costumes used to be a bed sheet with two holes cut out. Now, even the most basic costume sets you back at least 50 dollars. Don’t even think about ordering online either — unless you enjoy a fun game of “Will it fit, or did I just buy a child’s medium by mistake?” There’s nothing more humbling than realizing you’ve squeezed yourself into something labeled ‘one size fits most’ and you are not most.
Don’t get me started on group costumes. Coordinating with friends for a group theme sounds fun in theory — until everyone starts having different opinions. Suddenly, you’re trapped in a group chat trying to decide whether you should all go as the Avengers or Scooby-Doo characters. Everyone says they’re on board, and then half the group bails two days before, leaving you as a lone Velma with no Mystery Machine in sight.
Let’s not forget the ultimate Halloween hazard: couples’ costumes. If you’re in a relationship, there’s the unspoken obligation to match. Nothing says “we’re perfect for each other” like dressing as a plug and a socket or a PB&J sandwich. What happens if you break up before the big party? Do you still show up as salt, while your ex is dancing around as pepper with someone else? Awkward.
Even if you do manage to find the perfect costume, there’s the added fun of trying to navigate the logistics of actually wearing it. Will it be too hot? Too cold? Will you be able to sit down? You haven’t known true fear until you’ve tried eating a slice of pizza while dressed as an inflatable sumo wrestler.
I can’t help but reminisce about the Halloweens of my childhood. Back then, dressing up felt like a magical adventure. We would excitedly plan our costumes for weeks, often going as classic characters like witches, pirates or superheroes. I distinctly remember how the thrill of trick-or-treating with friends, the joy of filling our bags with candy and the sheer excitement of Halloween night were enough to make the whole process enjoyable. Now, I find Halloween can be just as enjoyable without the costume stress.
Now that I’m older, I think there’s a certain freedom in skipping the costume entirely. I can still enjoy the essence of Halloween by embracing the spooky atmosphere, indulging in seasonal treats and spending time with friends.
I understand that for many, Halloween costumes are a way to express creativity and individuality, but I believe Halloween can still be fun without the costumes. There’s an entire world of activities and traditions that don’t require dressing up. So, while I respect those who enjoy the costume aspect of Halloween, I’ll be the one handing out candy in my pajamas.
After all, I can still be a ghost — just not the one in a white sheet. I’ll be the one on the couch wrapped in a blanket, enjoying horror movies while my friends are out sweating in their overpriced get-ups.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay