Why Do We Dress Up in Costumes for Halloween

Halloween is a holiday commemorated on the evening of October 31st. It is celebrated with Halloween gatherings and little ones going house to house for trick or treating. It is well-known in the US and in some other parts of the world like the United Kingdom and Canada.

The way that Halloween is celebrated presently goes back to the time when ancient pagans thought that October 31 was the day that the division separating the living and the dead would dissipate. Because it was believed that the departed could "pass through" and injure those who were living, many people would head out into the streets wearing costumes and masks to chase away the evil spirits.

However that was then; these days, we simply do it for the enjoyment and fun. Weeks before Halloween, people head out and get costumes. The hottest are simple ensembles like skeletons, ghosts, vampires, witches and devils. If you have the skill, you can make your own costume based upon your favorite television show, book or movie character.

Studies have shown that of the individuals surveyed, more than half of Americans plan to buy a costume for Halloween even if it is $10 higher than last year. This means that sales will reach more than $6 billion, up from over $5 billion last year.

People in the Halloween mood will often put up decorations in their houses like carved pumpkins, spider webs, and candles. At parties, aside from the refreshments, a number of games are held. The most popular is bobbing for apples, during which contestants make an attempt to pick up apples afloat in a good sized tub of water, using only their teeth - no hands permitted! One more popular game is attempting to devour a doughtnut that is suspended by a thread - again, make sure to complete the activity with no hands. If you don't want to go to a party but still want to do something exciting, try going with a couple friends to check out a haunted house. Many people also have fun attending theme parks that have special events for the holiday.

Other countries also have customs that remember departed friends and family at this time of year. In many Eastern countries, people put out food and water as well as a lantern, so those who have departed will have a little something to eat and drink along with a lighted path as they journey the land of the living during Halloween night. In Czechoslovakia, chairs are situated by the fireside on Halloween night - one seat for each living member of the family, and one for each of the departed.

In certain religions, the day after Halloween is All Saint’s Day, while the following is called All Soul’s Day. On this day, people honor those who are stranded in purgatory, with the hope cleaning their captured souls of their sins and for them to go to heaven. But for most folks these days, Halloween is simply an opportunity to have fun with friends and family. The kids will go trick or treating for candy while the grown ups will go to a party where there is a lot of food and drinks.

For those looking for an exciting costume for Halloween, buccaneer and pirate wench costumes are a great choice. If you decide to go with a pirate theme, don't forget the accessories, like swords, wigs and cheap pirate hats.