What happened to Halloween costumes?

[disneysteve]

Doesn't anyone get dressed up in an actual costume anymore? I've been watching the kids going through our neighborhood and very, very few have had what I would consider a costume. Most have been in sports team jerseys, decorated t-shirts (like a Spiderman shirt) or some other non-costume costume. And I'm not just talking about the middle school and high school kids. Even many of the younger kids weren't in full costumes. Is it because of the economy or are people just not that into it anymore?

When I was a kid, I always had a costume. Sometimes it was homemade. Sometimes it was store bought. But it was always something that either required some thought and creativity (if homemade) or clearly represented a certain character or creature (if store bought).

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

A lot of kids already wore their costumes to school yesterday and are tired of them by now. A neighbor kid was still wearing her witch's hat an hour after getting home from school. (She also had eaten so much candy gotten at school it had made her sick.) Her sister excitedly brought out her own costume to show me. They were going to a party today. After all that, I doubt they want to put on their costumes again and go door to door for candy. Guess it depends on the kid.

Babies get carried to our door in the cutest costumes, but what are the parents doing? Showing the baby for strangers to admire? Getting candy for a baby who cannot even chew it yet? I'm weirded out by that. I understand bringing along the costumed baby while taking the older siblings trick-or-treating, but a bag for baby, too???

I've been seeing kids age 4 and younger in their costumes in stores the last few days.

[disneysteve]

So maybe it isn't that costumes aren't a big deal but that trick or treating isn't. I suspect that all of the overprotective rules and ordinances have ruined the fun of it. Around here, you were only supposed to go out from 3-7pm. In other words, be in by dark. A big part of the excitement years ago was that we got to be out after dark. Who wants to trick or treat in daylight? That takes the spookiness out of it.

[irmanator]

When I was a kid i used to plan out my costume before back to school.... I always had homemade. My kids get homemade.... I wouldn't let them go out with out one. Thats jmho. This year they are Freddy Kruegger and Little red riding hood.

[mommyof4]

You should be at our house tonight. Kids and adultes are all dressed up in costumes, and are having a lot of fun! And it's after dark, too. We're going to do a fire outside in a bit, too.

[zakity]

I know what you mean. We just got home not too long ago and it was amazing how many of the kids didn't have costumes or had the type you discribed.

My guys always have homemade costumes. We try to be pretty creative. This year, we had Dr Frankenstein, Igor, and Egor.

[cschin4]

Around here, you were only supposed to go out from 3-7pm. In other words, be in by dark.

That's lame. Ours was 5 to 8 and it was getting dark last night around 6. Do we really need to squash the fun in everything because "somebody could get hurt"? Didn't that used to be called life?

[cschin4]

As for costumes, I think there are a couple of reasons. First, not many people know how to sew anymore. And, with dual working parents, alot just don't have time. Also, it really is just a diversion or something to do for the kids for a couple of hours and doesn't seem to be the big event in their minds as it was for us. And, I don't think parents are as willing to shell out money for costumes that will only be used once versus buying other things.

[moneybags]

So maybe it isn't that costumes aren't a big deal but that trick or treating isn't. I suspect that all of the overprotective rules and ordinances have ruined the fun of it. Around here, you were only supposed to go out from 3-7pm. In other words, be in by dark. A big part of the excitement years ago was that we got to be out after dark. Who wants to trick or treat in daylight? That takes the spookiness out of it.

We TorT in the daylight here (2-6pm). I hated the idea when we first moved here, but now I prefer it. I sit out front with neighbors & you really get to see all the costumes in the daylight, my kids can go without adult supervision, and if I'm home alone at night, I don't have to worry about opening the door to a group of over-aged TorT-ers.

[disneysteve]

As for costumes, I think there are a couple of reasons. First, not many people know how to sew anymore. And, with dual working parents, alot just don't have time. Also, it really is just a diversion or something to do for the kids for a couple of hours and doesn't seem to be the big event in their minds as it was for us. And, I don't think parents are as willing to shell out money for costumes that will only be used once versus buying other things.

I don't think the sewing thing is that big a deal. Our homemade costumes years ago weren't usually made from scratch. They were put together with things we already had, like a cowboy outfit or a bum.

As for shelling out money, I think the problem there is that too many parents and kids think a costume has to be some big elaborate thing that costs $50 or more. My store bought costumes usually came from Woolworth, the kind with the nylon outfit that went over your clothes and a plastic mask. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Today, parents are more likely to head to the Disney Store and spend $60 on a princess outfit which is insane.

[MonkeyMama]

Economy?

Never had so many kids, and they were all dressed up to the hilt. The candy bounty was INSANE this year.

Everyone fully costumed here.

That "in by 7" thing does sound insane. Holy cow!

[creditcardfree]

Our neighborhood definitely had the kids in costumes. One mom made her kids costumes. One was a witch, the other Dorthy from Wizard of Oz.

My daughter went as a dancer, wearing her recital costume from spring. My oldest decided at the last minute to go out. She braded her hair, put on knee socks, rolled up her jeans and went as Pippy Longstocking. Even that costume may have been construed as a non-costume. But we did what we could at the last minute.

Maybe the lack of costume, is lack of planning!

[irmanator]

I remember one year when my 19yr was 4. I had waited to long to get her a costume and all halloween was sold out at the store so since christmas was in its place i bought a roll of wrapping paper and some bows bummed a box and she went as a christmas gift! everyone thought that was cute.

[amarowsky]

We had a ton of kids going out this year! My neighbor hood was packed with chillun's. But I do hate how over-protective and lame society has gotten as a whole. When I was a bit younger and use to Trick or Treat, we would start a like 5:30-6 and go till easily 10:30-11.

And we all go hardcore with our costumes. This year I made my own bender costume from a trash can and a waste basket. Ill post a link to my facebook, but I'm not sure if you can see it cuz your not friends of mine.

Alex Marowsky | Facebook

My group of friends always has sooooo much fun at Halloween. My best buddy had a Kegger at his house on the 30th and my other best friend had a HUGE party at his house last night!

Halloween is awesome! Only party holiday nearly as close is St. Patties day! and I love the st. Patties day parade (detroit) more than the actual St. Patties day.

[Ima saver]

Heck, my husband and I dress up every year. Even tho it was raining, almost all of the kids had on costumes on the square last night. The only ones who didn't, were too old to be trick or treating anyway!