A Modern History of Halloween

Halloween history as we know it here in the United States didn’t really start until the early 1900′s,mostly in the form of cards and decorations.

It was in the 1920′s that the first official Halloween celebrations took place.

There isn’t much to suggest that people dressed up prior to that time.But in the 1930′s companies started producing and selling costumes and masks in retail stores.

The Trick or Treating of the holiday became more popular in the fifties.

Up until the 1990′s most of the costumes and decorations were home made.You carved a pumpkin and put a scary or funny face on it then you put a lit candle in it to light it up.You used old clothing and some sticks to make a scarecrow or a witch.Maybe you would make a paper mache mask to wear.

But with the baby boomers coming of age and into prosperity,bigger and better costumes and decorations were the order of the day.Everything from orange string lights and inflatable lawn decorations to animatronic window creatures and figures.

Even the costumes became more realistic.Some of today’s most popular costume ideas come from Hollywood movies and tv shows.And they are not all scary type costumes either.Quite a few are based on music stars,political figures,mythical creatures,even food related items.

The popularity of Halloween seems to grow every year,becoming perhaps more of an adult holiday than one for kids.It is estimated that more than 85 percent of adults between 18 and 24 celebrate Halloween in some way and not all of them have children.

Many adults look forward to Halloween for the opportunity to let their hair down and live out a fantasy of being someone else for a night.I mean who wouldn’t want to be that rockstar hero from the eighties,or that sexy Hollywood movie star?

So take my advice and get out there and just have fun!