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Halloween originated from the Pagan holiday Samhain, which took place the night before the Celtic new year, a time that Celts believed ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Costumes, bonfires and ritual sacrifices were all parts of this sacred time. When Christians set out to convert Pagans, they adapted Samhain into a holiday sanctioned by the church. Nov. 1 became All Saints Day to honor those in heaven, and October 31 became All Hallows Eve or Halloween, a night to remember the dead.
This is basically irrelevant now.
For college students, Halloween is mostly about one thing: parties. Parties mean costumes, and in my four years here, including last night, I’ve learned a few things about the convoluted costuming process.
1. Girls like to dress in skimpy outfits. It’s a cultural fact. Ever seen the movie “Mean Girls?” In it, a girl who moves to the United States from Africa observes that Halloween is the one time of year when girls can wear next to nothing and without fear of anyone saying anything bad about them. You’ve probably noticed this trend.
Half the girls at a party will either dress as prostitutes straight out, or they’ll be sexy versions of normal things, like a naughty nurse. The last time I was at a hospital, nurses wore baggy blue pants and loose cotton shirts, not tight, cute dresses. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m all for the naughty nurse. Costumes should be fun, and guys are just as guilty as girls when it comes to sexing things up.
2. Guys like to dress in drag. Maybe they can’t think of anything else to go as, or maybe they’ve been secretly eyeing their girlfriend’s tube top for months. In any case, it’s surprising how many guys can’t wait to dress up like ladies. It shows that they have a sense of humor and are comfortable with their sexuality, so that’s cool. I say take it to the next level, though. I’d like to see some straight boys in drag make out with each other. Who knows, it could be hot, and it would add some variety to the straight girls who inevitably get drunk and make out. Hey, it’s all in the name of equality.
3. Boyfriends don’t care about couple’s costumes. I overheard a guy talking to his girlfriend about their potential Halloween costumes. She thought it would be fun if he went as a cow and she as his milkmaid. I thought it was a great idea, as I’m sure many girls would. The boyfriend, however, had a different opinion and just wasn’t interested. When it comes right down to it, most guys would rather you lay out something for them to wear than pick out a costume themselves. So don’t bother asking your guy what cute twosome you could go as because, honestly, he just doesn’t care.
4. Devils, angels, and Playboy Bunnies are overdone. They’re not bad costumes but please, go as something different next year.
5. Parents mean well but they aren’t much help. Even if your mother dressed up as a French whore for Halloween when she was your age, she’ll always want you to go as something respectable. This year, mine suggested I go as, “something cute, like a bag of jellybeans.” My father had a different idea. He thought I should go as the AIDS virus. I settled on Kelly Bundy from “Married With Children” because I’ve secretly wanted to tease my hair for a while now. Besides, this is the one time of year that I can dress like trash, and no one can say anything bad about me.
Modern Halloween may be a far cry from the Pagan holiday it began as, but at least the tradition of costumes has survived. No matter what you go as in the future, wear that ridiculous outfit with pride. After all, you can get away with anything on Halloween.
Bangor Daily News