It’s the spookiest time of the year, and I’m not just talking about Australian tax time! No, I am referring to the often underappreciated one-month wonder that is Halloween season.
Despite being a distant runner-up to the increasingly massive behemoth that is commercial Christmas, Halloween is beloved by many and its popularity only seems to increase by the year. While I can’t possibly speak for the entirety of humanity, I will give a few reasons for my personal affection for this special day.
One thing that I find interesting about Halloween as compared to other holidays is that, strictly speaking, there is no reason to celebrate it. It doesn’t commemorate the birth of a messiah, alleged peace with the natives or any other significant event in history (at least, not in the modern tradition). It’s just a day when society worldwide collectively agrees to be spooky. And that’s honestly awesome.
All Hallow’s Eve is not a complicated day. There are, of course, historic roots to many of the modern practices, but the average person does not know about these. Even if one does, they will likely not care. It’s a simple celebration of the unusual, the eerie, the outright terrifying. It’s not deep. It’s just fun.
Another aspect that sets the 31st apart is the variety of traditions and festive activities that go along with it. Costumes are, frankly speaking, incredible. Having a set day where it is expected that you will pick a popular character, clever joke or out-of-left-field idea and take the time to make (or purchase, if you’re unoriginal) an outfit based on that— that’s so fun! I know I’m not the only person who gets giddy every year trying to decide what my attire for the day will be.
In the past, I have cosplayed as iconic characters including Mischa Bachinski (“Ride the Cyclone”), Walter White (“Breaking Bad”), the Ninth Doctor (“Doctor Who”) and Charlie Brown (“Peanuts”). Looking back, each of these costumes really captured who I was and what I was doing at various points in my life. While I have often fantasized about making a creative pun-based costume (like the ones found in “Bob’s Burgers”), I always fall back on pre-existing characters.
As someone who has a (loose) background in theatrics, the idea of embodying one of my favorite characters has always been a form of wish-fulfillment. Even though I spend most of my time as “Brian in a Cool Outfit,” I’ve always loved slipping into character for brief moments, committing myself to the external promises of my attire.
I love getting candy as much as the next 20-year-old child, but that facet of the holiday hasn’t even been on my radar for the past few years. For me, it’s all about the costuming and the simple act of celebrating spookiness. I’m not the kind of guy who loves getting the pants scared off of me, but I adore a good healthy heaping of ghosts, goblins and other spooks.
Halloween is certainly an odd holiday. From the disembowelment of gourds to the unexpected Christian origins, it’s just an unusual day all around. And I, for one, can’t get enough of it.