my halloween costume essay

How to Write a Spooky Essay on Halloween: Tips, Topics, and Examples

In contemporary society, individuals continue to appreciate traditional festive events, with Halloween being a prime example. Common elements found in every Halloween celebration encompass:

• Donning Halloween costumes.
• Carving pumpkins.
• Sharing spooky stories.
• Exploring haunted houses.
• Participating in trick-or-treating, and more.

Regardless of the academic task at hand, such as a science fair project or a presentation, the ultimate goal is often to achieve the highest grade. If you find yourself tasked with composing a Halloween essay, our coursework help service offers compelling ideas to ensure your essay stands out.

What Is a Halloween Essay

A Halloween essay is a written composition that explores and discusses various aspects related to Halloween, the popular festive celebration observed on October 31st. In such an essay, writers may delve into the history and origins of Halloween, cultural and societal traditions associated with the holiday, personal experiences and memories, or even explore the significance of Halloween in literature, film, or art.

The essay about Halloween may encompass a range of themes, from the spooky and supernatural elements often associated with Halloween to the more lighthearted aspects such as costumes, decorations, and traditional activities like trick-or-treating. Ultimately, a Halloween essay provides an opportunity for writers to express their thoughts, reflections, and insights related to this widely celebrated and unique holiday.

Halloween Essay Step-By-Step Writing Tips

Does the mere thought of tackling your homework send shivers down your spine? Certainly, similar to any academic task, crafting an essay on Halloween demands a sense of responsibility. Adhere to the key points outlined in our checklist, an integral component of our custom dissertation writing service .

Explore Halloween Essay Ideas for Your Topics

The versatility of Halloween essays allows for creativity in choosing topics. Crafting a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged is key to success. Striking a balance between eerie elements and informative content is crucial. Consider sharing the history of trick-or-treat bags, recounting a mystical and spine-chilling personal experience, or even writing a book review on Halloween literature.

Conduct Thorough Research

To impress your audience with intriguing ideas and captivating details, delve into background information. Utilize old books or online resources, ensuring the credibility of your sources. Watching spooky movies or immersing yourself in Halloween stories can further enrich your essay with authentic and compelling content.

Adhere to a Structured Approach

While the theme is Halloween, maintaining a structured academic format is essential. Even in the realm of a Halloween essay, academic rules of how to write coursework still make a difference. Follow the conventions of scholarly writing, including a well-crafted thesis statement, an engaging introduction, a detailed body, and a conclusive conclusion. The thesis statement should succinctly encapsulate the main idea of your Halloween essay, setting the tone for the subsequent paragraphs.

Halloween Essay Example

Here is a nice sample of the Halloween essay for you.

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Halloween Essay Types

If you're aiming for top grades and the approval of your teachers, adhere to their specifications for the Halloween essay. Typically, they outline the desired type of work, which may fall into the following categories:

Narrative Halloween Essay

Crafting a narrative Halloween essay involves recounting a series of events, whether real or imaginary. For instance, share the details of your most recent Halloween as an illustration. Alternatively, let your imagination run wild and pen a story about an encounter with a haunted house.

Descriptive Halloween Essay

True to its name, a descriptive Halloween essay provides a detailed portrayal of the chosen topic. Narrate a story aligned with the theme of your Halloween costume, or delve into the intricacies of the jack-o-lantern you intricately carved during a festive gathering.

Informative Halloween Essay

If your goal is to impart knowledge, consider composing an informative essay. This Halloween paper can encompass details about the holiday's history or traditions. Explore topics such as the origins of spooky costumes, the significance of lighting bonfires, or the cultural variations in celebrations among different European ethnic groups.

Halloween Writing Prompt Ideas

Looking for inspirational Halloween essay ideas? Look no further! We present a compilation of compelling Halloween essay topics, and undoubtedly, at least one of these essay examples is sure to resonate with you.

Spooky Topics for a Short Essay About Halloween

People are drawn to narratives that evoke spine-chilling sensations, making a scary Halloween essay particularly appealing to readers. While an essay on "why Halloween is the best holiday" is fitting, there are numerous other ideas to explore:

• The ghostly origins of Halloween: Unraveling the historical roots of Halloween's spookiness.
• Exploring the mysteries within the infamous haunted house on Elm Street.
• What makes midnight on Halloween so bewitching?
• The legend of the headless horseman.
• The dark side of trick-or-treating: Examining the potential dark undertones of the seemingly innocent tradition of trick-or-treating.
• Have you heard the chilling tales of costumes carrying mysterious curses?
• Tracing the eerie history behind the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns.
• Spirits among us: Ghost stories of Halloween.
• Discovering the mysteries within the deserted grounds of Halloween carnivals left in abandonment.
• The enigmatic black cat: superstitions and folklore.

Best 5 Paragraph Essay About Halloween Ideas

Typically, a standard essay comprises approximately five sections. This structure enables the writer to convey their message concisely. Hence, select Halloween writing topics that can be effectively explored within a few paragraphs.

• How have Halloween traditions evolved over time?
• What makes haunted houses a compelling journey into fear?
• How have Halloween costumes transitioned from tradition to trend?
• What ghostly legends define the essence of Halloween?
• Is trick-or-treating a sweet tradition or a dark deception?
• How has the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns evolved through history?
• How does Halloween manifest in literature and film as a spooky spectacle?
• What psychological aspects drive fear during Halloween?
• How does Halloween celebrate cultural variations around the world?
• How has Halloween been shaped by popular culture?

Awesome Topics for an Essay About the Halloween Festival

If you have a penchant for various celebrations, you might consider crafting an essay about them. Explore a variety of Halloween essay options:

• The history and origins of the Halloween festival.
• Haunted attractions: A thrill or a frightening experience?
• Costumes through time: Evolution of Halloween dressing.
• Trick-or-treating: Innocent tradition or modern concern?
• Carving tradition: The cultural significance of Jack-o'-Lanterns.
• Halloween in popular culture: Depictions in movies and literature.
• Cultural diversity in Halloween celebrations around the world.
• Halloween and superstitions: Folklore and beliefs.
• DIY Halloween decor: Crafting spooky ambiance at home.
• Halloween and commercialization: Is the spirit lost in consumerism?

Creepy Ideas for Essay on Halloween Parties

• Can you unravel the mystique of Halloween parties?
• Eerie elegance – transforming spaces into hauntingly beautiful venues.
• How can you explore spooky and tasty Halloween party recipes?
• Whispering walls: How does ghostly décor send shivers down your spine?
• Setting the right tone with a spine-chilling playlist.
• Costume chronicles: The psychology behind creepy costumes.
• Haunted games and activities: How to ensure goosebumps and laughter coexist.
• Witch's brew and potions – crafting sinister cocktails for all to sip.
• Ghostly guests – The art of inviting spirits to your Halloween bash?
• The witching hour: The secrets to hosting a truly unforgettable midnight soirée.

Scary Halloween History Essay Ideas

Do you need to set a deadline for composing your essay on the history of Halloween? Undoubtedly, understanding the origins of beloved holidays is crucial for expanding your worldview and knowledge. If you're contemplating what to include in your paper, here are some suggestions for your history of Halloween essay:

• The Witch Trials: How did the fear of witches shape Halloween's dark history?
• Origins of Trick-or-Treating: Can you trace the spooky roots of this beloved tradition?
• Eerie tales and legends that contribute to Halloween's mystique.
• How did disguising oneself become an integral part of Halloween?
• Ancient rituals laid the foundation for modern Halloween.
• What's the history behind carving frightening faces on pumpkins?
• How did Halloween become intertwined with the supernatural?
• What led to the Christian influence on this pagan festival?
• Documented accounts of paranormal activity on Halloween.
• Commercialization of Fear: How did the Halloween industry turn fright into a lucrative business?

Top Essay Topics on Trick-or-Treating and Other Halloween Traditions

If you have an affinity for Halloween traditions, exploring an essay on this subject could be captivating. Choose from the Halloween paper ideas we provide below:

• How has this Halloween tradition transformed over time?
• What role do community interactions play in the trick-or-treating experience?
• How do different cultures incorporate trick-or-treating into their Halloween festivities?
• DIY Halloween Treats: What are some creative and spooky homemade treats for trick-or-treaters?
• How do costumes contribute to the overall trick-or-treating experience?
• Alternative Halloween Celebrations – Non-traditional ways to celebrate Halloween without trick-or-treating.
• Trick-or-Treating Etiquette: Do's and don'ts for both givers and receivers during Halloween.
• How can communities ensure a safe environment for trick-or-treaters?
• Historical Roots of Halloween: How did trick-or-treating become intertwined with this ancient celebration?
• Exploring the irresistible charm of Halloween traditions.

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Spooking Up

In conclusion, the possibilities for a Halloween essay are limitless. Embracing all the suggestions can turn the writing process into a surprisingly enjoyable endeavor. Consider the subjects you wish to explore, choose the most captivating topic, and embark on creating an exemplary assignment!

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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• Halloween costumes from the 20th century were objectively terrifying – here's proof
• 10 Creative Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Turned-Lazy Costumers

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Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

Writing Prompt: My Halloween Costume

Halloween writing prompt activity:.

What would you like to be for Halloween? What would your costume look like? Write a description of your costume in the space provided on the worksheet, and then draw a picture of your costume in the box! This Writing Prompt Activity is a great way for students to have fun as they practice their writing skills. Ideal for K-1st Grade, but can be used where felt appropriate.

Is my Halloween costume offensive? What to know about cultural appropriation

As Americans dress up for Halloween during a year of record holiday spending , experts are saying: Be careful. Costumes might come off as racists or offensive, even if that wasn't the intent. 

Mia Moody-Ramirez, director of graduate studies and American studies at Baylor University, says cultural appropriation has long been present in American history, but social media has elevated the awareness of it. In recent years, celebrities have been called out by the public for their use of cultural appropriation for Halloween .

"There's been so many events like that in the news, so I think we're at a point now where everyone has heard about cultural appropriation," Moody-Ramirez told USA TODAY. "Sometimes it's out of ignorance or innocence. But then sometimes it can be done on purpose."

The science of fear: Why do some people love to be scared during Halloween?

Best and Worst:  From Reese's to candy corn, here are the most popular and hated Halloween treats by state

What is cultural appropriation?

Cultural appropriation is when someone adopts a culture that isn't their own and does not acknowledge or respect the culture being used for their own benefit, according to the Cambridge Dictionary . Examples can be hair, clothing and impersonating, like using popular African American Vernacular English terms, to fit a persona.

Moody-Ramirez said those who wish to have a cultural costume for Halloween should think twice about it. She adds it's important people actually understand the culture and aren't attempting to profit from it, whether it be monetary or by popularity, and there are many other ways to appreciate a culture throughout the year.

"For Halloween, I think it's important just to kind of steer clear of those types of costumes," Moody-Ramirez said.

Shannon Speed, director of American Indian Studies Center at UCLA and member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, said rather than dressing up, people should respect and engage with communities instead, whether that be learning about their interest or needs as a community.

"There's no reason to take it for yourself," she said.

Halloween safety guide: Illustrated tips for parents, trick-or-treaters amid COVID pandemic

Why does cultural appropriation happen?

The use of costume cultural appropriation ranges all across ages, but Susan Scafidi, director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University and author of "Who Owns Culture? Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law," said the issue really came to light in 2015 when Yale told its students to be cautious of wearing certain Halloween costumes. 

Schools like the University of Michigan Ann-Arbor have put warnings of what cultural appropriation looks like. Scafidi said the reason culture appropriation happens, but is not limited to, on college campuses is because young adults are learning to be on their own while rediscovering the joy of putting on a costume.

"There is a degree of pushing boundaries in college life," Scafidi said. "It's the same kind of mindset of 'how far can I take my new freedom?'" 

Moody-Ramirez said social media has also played a huge role, positively and negatively, in cultural appropriation. On one side, social media has pointed out celebrities or people that are appropriating a culture, while on the other hand, attempting to be popular can have people attempting a new style.

"People are trying to have fresh content. When they run out of ideas, they may go and borrow from another culture," she said. "You just need to make sure that you give credit."

Examples of cultural appropriation

Dressing up in Native American attire, as well as blackface , are popular ideas of cultural appropriation. Taking a costume and attempting to make it sexy can also be offensive. 

"If there were any consciousness in this country of the huge problem of violence against Native women and the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women in this country, they'd have to stop and think about what putting on a sexy Indian costume might mean," Speed said.

'Sexy baby,' 'Sexy Handmaid's Tale': Have Halloween costumes gone too far?

Many celebrities have been called out for their controversial Halloween costumes, like  “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore wearing a "warrior princess" costume that included a Native American headdress. Actress and professional dancer Julianne Hough also received backlash in 2013 for appearing in blackface while appearing as "Crazy Eyes," the character on Netflix's "Orange is the New Black," played by Uzo Aduba.

My kid wants to wear a costume that may be offensive but doesn't know it. What should I do?

Creators of the film "Black Panther" have said children of any race can dress up like the superhero. When "Moana" was released, the voice of the titular character, Auli’i Cravalho, encouraged people to dress up as the Polynesian-based princess . But still, there has been some caution and controversy around the costumes.

Moody-Ramirez said a good tool for parents to consider is to think about all the homes their child will knock on for trick-or-treating and if one homeowner would find their costume offensive. She said just wearing the costume of a character should be good, but adding features such as blackface, different hair or putting on tattoos can be insensitive.

In addition to that, Scafidi and Speed said parents should understand why their child would want to dress up as the character and if their intentions are because they idolize the person, then it should be good. Still, even admiration still may offend someone else and it's important to be thoughtful "in a very diverse society."

"Parents can gently explain to their children, that depending on the age of the child, maybe a certain costume isn't the best choice because it might make their friends feel bad," she said. "It's never too early to learn good manners."

What popular costumes are at risk of being appropriated in 2021?

As new TV shows, movies and memes become popular each year, new costumes that can appropriate a culture pop up. Scafidi said the popular Netflix show "Squid Game" will inspire many Halloween costumes , but there may be people that may take their green tracksuit costumes too far by "changing their features to emulate an Asian person." Similar to "Moana," Raya from the Disney film "Raya and the Last Dragon" is a popular Halloween costume that includes elements of Southeast Asian culture.

However, a Halloween costume doesn't need to be based upon a character for it to be offensive. A recent Tik Tok posted by @courtwashere showed a Halloween store selling culturally appropriating items, such as dread and afro wigs, as well as Egyptian-inspired costumes.

A recent survey on parents of children ages 0-10 by OnePoll listed Holocaust-related costumes as the most offensive Halloween costume, along with blackface, Confederate-related and transphobic costumes.

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter:  @jordan_mendoza5 .

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75. halloween costume party.

"Did you get your costume done last night?" I asked my girlfriend Audrey in the early morning of October 31. "Of course, it was ready, but you're not going to see it until tonight," she said. That was a real disappointment. I had been looking forward to seeing her latest Halloween creation. Audrey is a fine seamstress, and every year she makes the best costumes for the Halloween parties we try to attend. On the other hand, I usually just put some old rags on and go as a hobo or a pirate, or something lame like that, but not Audrey. She goes all out. Last year, she went as a beautiful witch complete with the pointy hat and witch's broom. She looked beautiful.

Some people say Halloween is a Welsh, or Celtic tradition, while others say its roots are Christian, but it doesn't really matter anymore. We just like to get dressed up like fools, go to parties, and eat lots of candy! Audrey finally showed up at my door. She was strikingly beautiful. She was dressed as a fairy princess and was glowing in her white gown. "You look amazing," I told her. She just laughed and said, "I know," and tapped me with her wand.

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Halloween Essay: How to Write, Topics and Essay Ideas

So, there are a few days left before Halloween, one of the favorite American holidays both for kids and adults. Most probably, your teacher will ask to prepare a Halloween essay. And most probably, it is not the first Halloween essay that you need to prepare.

We are sure that right now your head is busy with ideas for a Halloween party, your costume, some tricks, and so on. You absolutely do not feel like writing your Halloween essay, although the topic is fascinating.

Yet, even really amazing topics should be properly covered. Let Custom-writing.org offer you several ways of completing your Halloween essay, which will not take too much time and efforts.

🔝 Top 10 Halloween Essay Ideas

• Your favorite Halloween specials 
• What traditions define Halloween? 
• What makes trick-or-treating dangerous? 
• Why are apples associated with Halloween? 
• How does Halloween impact the economy? 
• Different Halloween customs around the world 
• The difference between Samhain and Halloween 
• The effect of media in the popularization of Halloween 
• How has the Halloween celebration evolved over time? 
• How has religion contributed to Halloween’s development? 

Writing Halloween Essays: Way #1

Imagine that you have a friend who lives in a country where Halloween is not popular, and you have to tell him/her about the holiday. You can use general facts, your knowledge, and experience to complete the Halloween essay in this way.

Here are some points to include into your Halloween essay for a foreign friend:

• Say a few words about the origins of Halloween;
• Talk about the tradition of carving pumpkins. Add a couple of pictures.
• Tell how people celebrate Halloween . Give details on how people decorate their houses and yards, how they choose costumes, how kids do trick-or-treating, how Halloween parties are organized.

Writing Halloween Essays: Way #2

Another easy and exciting way to prepare a Halloween essay is to make up a scary story. Think about a good idea for your story involving ghosts, witches, dead men. Mind that descriptions, vivid details will make your Halloween essay more impressive.

Your Halloween essay can also be based on your personal experience (sure, you can make up some details). It can be something like “Last Halloween, I and two other guys decided to visit that old, abandoned house that was believed to be haunted. As it turned out, ghosts were there!”

Our tips for writing remembered event essays and a narration essay might be useful.

Learn more on this topic:

• Coral Reef Essay: Descriptive Writing How-to Guide
• Best Descriptive Essays That Win Top Marks
• Harriet Tubman Essay: How to Write, Prompts and Ideas
• Americanism Essay Writing: How-to Guide, Tips, Topics
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i really needed this and i have a presentation in a few days and i really needed a speech for my project thanks!!

Everybody loves HALLOWEEN and your article is really good one 😀

Thank you very much for stopping by! We hope to see you again on our blog. Feel free to browse other posts and categories. Have a nice week!

Thanks so much for interesting ideas for my Halloween essay. Though it is too early to write about Halloween, but this is my favorite holiday, and I can’t but dedicate my paper to it! Good luck!

When I was given to write an essay about my favorite holiday, I chose Halloween. In your article on writing Halloween essays, I found lots of fascinating ideas for my paper. Thanks for them very much!

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Best Descriptive Essay Examples

Halloween essay.

654 words | 3 page(s)

Every year, Halloween is celebrated on October 31. There are a variety of traditions associated with celebration of Halloween, but one of the most recognizable is trick-or-treating. On Halloween night, children dress up in costume and walk around their neighborhoods, knocking on doors and asking for candy. Many adults dress up as well, and some people even celebrate Halloween by dressing up their pets. In 2016, the most popular costumes for children were action hero and superhero costumes, while the most popular adult costume was a witch.1 An estimated 10 percent of Americans dressed up their pet as a pumpkin. Candy is the dominant food tradition associated with Halloween, but many of the most popular Halloween candies are available year-round. According to a 2017 survey, the top 5 most popular Halloween candies were Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, Twix, Kit Kats, and M&Ms.2 Even though candy corn is one of the few candies that is uniquely associated with Halloween, it was ranked second among the least-liked Halloween candies in the same survey.2

There are also other traditions associated with the celebration of Halloween, including haunted houses and community carnivals. In the days leading up to Halloween, many people decorate their houses with common symbols of Halloween, including spider webs, witches, skeletons, and – most prominently – jack-o’-lanterns. To make a jack-o’-lantern, people buy a large pumpkin, cut a hole in the top to remove the seeds and inner flesh of the pumpkin, and then use various sharp tools to carve an image on the front of the pumpkin. Then, they place a small candle or light inside the pumpkin to light up the image. Although it is traditional to carve a face on the front of a jack-o’-lantern, artistic pumpkin-carvers now carve elaborate images on the front of their pumpkins. People can also purchase templates to help them create jack-o’-lanterns that will truly impress their neighbors and any trick-or-treaters who visit their house.

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These traditions have provided ample opportunity for retailers in the United States to capitalize on Halloween. In 2017, an estimated $9.1 billion was spent on Halloween festivities, which was an increase from $8.4 billion in 2016.1 This came out to an estimated $86.13 per household.1 Of the total spending, costumes accounted for the greatest proportion, at about $3.4 billion, while candy and decorations were the next two highest areas of spending, with each accounting for an estimated $2.7 billion.1 In total, about 7 out of 10 Americans said they planned to celebrate Halloween, and 95% of them said they would buy candy.1

Clearly, Halloween is a major commercial holiday in the United States, but it is important to recognize that the holiday is rooted in spiritual and religious traditions. Historians believe that the original precursor to Halloween was a Celtic festival known as Samhain, which can be traced back about two thousand years.3 Samhain was celebrated on November 1, and the pagans believed that on the night before, October 31, people returned from the dead as ghosts.3 They wore masks to disguise themselves from ghosts and set out food and wine on their doorsteps to prevent ghosts from coming inside in search of food.3 In later years, the Christian Church co-opted the Pagan traditions by naming November 1 as All Saints Day and the night of October 31 as All Hallows Eve.

Despite these roots, it is clear that Halloween has now developed into a largely secular holiday. Christians celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day on November 1 and November 2, but for the majority of Americans, the night of October 31, Halloween is merely an opportunity to dress up, eat candy, and have fun with spooky symbols and decorations.

• Halloween headquarters. National Retail Federation. 2017. https://nrf.com/resources/consumer-research-and-data/holiday-spending/halloween-headquarters. Accessed 23 February 2018.
• Turner ML. 10 most loved and hated Halloween candies. Forbes. 30 October 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/marciaturner/2017/10/30/top-10-best-and-worst-halloween-candies/#dd976ef59705. Accessed 23 February 2018.
• Sena A. The origins of Halloween. University of New Mexico Newsroom. 29 October 2015. https://news.unm.edu/news/the-origins-of-halloween. Accessed 23 February 2018.

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'My Culture is Not a Costume’ campaign sparks awareness, appropriate decisions

The brainstorming process for Halloween costumes is intense for some students at Ohio University and last minute for others. Whether people buy a random costume online or dedicate hours of planning to find the perfect pieces to their festive ensemble, there are ways people can make choices that offend or mock cultures they aren’t part of. 

The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio , or ESC, defines cultural appropriation as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of costumes, practices, ideas, etc. of a social group by members of another and typically more dominant social group.”  

Cultural appropriation during Halloween is common because costumes typically mock or resemble another person or thing. Blackface, brownface, yellowface and redface are also common and occur when a person changes their skin tone and/or physical features to match that of another race. According to Pew Research Center, 53% of Americans believe it’s unacceptable for a white person to use makeup to darken their skin tone for a Halloween costume. Only 37% of Americans said it’s “never acceptable.” 

But the harm done by cultural appropriation is a lot. The ESC said cultural appropriation is problematic because “it reduces traditional clothing, customs and practices to a joke or simply an aesthetic.” Costumes that culturally appropriate often use stereotypes, “which perpetuate harmful ideas and ideologies rooted in hate.” 

In 2011, an organization at OU, Students Teaching Against Racism in Society, or STARS, formed the “My Culture is Not a Costume” campaign, which was meant to bring awareness and education surrounding cultural appropriation and its harm. 

The campaign was revitalized for this school year by Duane Bruce, the executive director of diversity and inclusion, and OU Communications and Marketing. The Division of Diversity and Inclusion has peer educators called diversity leadership ambassadors, or DLAs, who take on a different topic each month to educate others about. 

“We get requests all the time all the time around October outside of the university to use the ‘My Culture is Not a Costume’ campaign,” Bruce said. “And this year when we started getting the requests, I talked with my colleagues, and I was like ‘We should put this back up.'” 

Although the campaign was revitalized, the message remains just as valuable and educational as it was in 2011. Bruce said some students may not be aware that certain costumes are harmful and fall into the category of cultural appropriation. 

“I think the important message of this particular campaign is that we want our students to be mindful that there are some harmful realities of cultural appropriation,” Bruce said. “It’s not just Halloween, but this is particularly salient whenever you’re thinking about costumes for Halloween because people dress up as something that’s different from themselves.” 

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion’s website for the campaign details some culturally inappropriate costumes. These include “anything representing Blackface, brownface, or yellowface,” “costumes that represent harmful racial or ethnic stereotypes,” making a mockery of mental illness,” “wearing hairstyles of people of color” and “transphobic/homophobic costumes.” 

Students can choose other costumes that are creative and sensitive. Hadley Alford, a senior studying nursing, said she will be wearing a traffic cone costume for Halloween this year. Alford’s boyfriend is a heavy equipment operator and she said he’s going as himself on the job. 

“I looked up some stuff on Pinterest and then I ended up actually just raiding his closet and found an orange reflective long sleeve shirt,” Alford said. “And I’m just gonna wear my leggings and try to find a little cone to put on my head.” 

Alford also said it’s important for people to be aware of how their Halloween costume may affect others. 

Sophie Neilson, a junior studying communications, said she is going as Kang Sae-byeok from the South Korean drama series, “Squid Games.”

“I basically chose her because I’m Korean, so I felt like it was appropriate for me to dress up as her,” Neilson said. “I wouldn’t be offended if I saw someone wearing a ‘Squid Games’ costume, but it really just depends on how they act in the costume.” 

There would also be a problem, Neilson said, if people were to mock Asian languages or physical features of, for example, the South Korean actress who plays Kang Sae-byeok.

Jazmine Amoako, a junior studying economics, said she agrees with Neilson and said that if people are going as a fictional character who isn’t the same race or ethnicity, there is no reason for people to alter their skin tone or features. 

“Say you do choose to do something that’s outside of your race and culture, you don’t have to make yourself look like it,” Amoako said. “Outside of the clothing, you can still be white.” 

The campaign, Bruce hopes, will open more dialogues between students and other people on campus about respecting and appreciating all cultures instead of mocking or stereotyping them. The My Culture is Not a Costume campaign is connected to the university’s Make Respect Visible campaign and Bruce said they have intentional ties to one another. 

“One of the things that we’re really hoping that takes on with Make Respect Visible is not just that we have these expectations and that they’re words, but that campus community members begin to engage with each other in these conversations,” Bruce said. “If we look forward, our goal is to make sure all members of our community know the expectations, and if they see something, they say something.” 

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Halloween Costume Correctness on Campus: Feel Free to Be You, but Not Me

By Kirk Johnson

• Oct. 30, 2015

SEATTLE — Pocahontas, Caitlyn Jenner and Pancho Villa are no-nos. Also off-limits are geisha girls and samurai warriors — even, some say, if the wearer is Japanese. Among acceptable options, innocuous ones lead the pack: a Crayola crayon, a cup of Starbucks coffee or the striped-cap-wearing protagonist of the “Where’s Waldo?” books.

As colleges debate the lines between cultural sensitivity and free speech, they are issuing recommendations for Halloween costumes on campus, aimed at fending off even a hint of offense in students’ choice of attire. Using the fairly new yardstick of cultural appropriation — which means pretending for fun or profit to be a member of an ethnic, racial or gender group to which you do not belong — schools, student groups and fraternity associations are sending a message that can be summed up in five words: It is dangerous to pretend.

“If there’s a gray line, it’s always best to stay away from it,” said Mitchell Chen, 21, a microbiology major and director of diversity efforts at the Associated Students of the University of Washington. The university emailed to all students this week a six-minute video of what not to do for Halloween.

There has already been one major cultural collision this week that fanned the flames: On Thursday, the University of Louisville in Kentucky apologized to the school’s Latinos after its president, James R. Ramsey, was photographed wearing stereotypical Mexican attire at a Halloween party for staff members on Wednesday. In a picture posted online, Mr. Ramsey wore a sombrero and fringed poncho and stood next to university workers who were dressed as members of a mariachi band, with sombreros, maracas and fake mustaches.

The term “cultural appropriation,” which emerged from academia but has been applied more broadly — say, to refer to Washington Redskins fans wearing feather headdresses or white people in cornrows — has drawn ire from opponents of political correctness. But supporters say it captures a truth: that the melding of cultures is often about which group has the power to take symbols, styles or language from another.

The video issued by the University of Washington shows students from various ethnic groups and of various sexual orientations saying that almost any portrayal of them can cause a wound: For example, dressing in drag can denigrate the struggles of gay and transgender people.

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I Admit It, My Dog Drives Me Crazy

True confessions of a first-time pet owner.

Jill Waldbieser,

Welcome to Ethels Tell All, where the writers behind The Ethel newsletter share their personal stories related to the joys and challenges of aging. Come back each Wednesday for the latest piece, exclusively on AARP Members Edition .

Americans love dogs to a ridiculous degree, and before I had one, so did I. Growing up, I fantasized about puppies the way some girls plan their dream weddings. I gorged myself on tales such as Where the Red Fern Grows . It seemed like everyone I knew had a dog, but my family wasn’t just indifferent, they were staunchly anti-pet. My mom claimed allergies, but she had a dog when she was little, and I pointed this fact out every time when petitioning for my own.

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I swore that when I was old enough, I would get my dog. That turned out to be age 40. After years of renting and commuting insane hours for work, I was finally canine-ready: I had a big yard in a walkable suburb, worked from home five days a week and had a partner as crazy about dogs as I was.

We went to an adoption event, split up in a room full of puppies, and his first words to me when we rendezvoused were “Did you see Embrey?” In reply, I held up the sole photo I’d snapped on my phone of a tiny black and white pup with soft gray eyes, floppy, velvet black ears and the cutest pink muzzle. It felt like fate.

The adoption paperwork included the question “Why do you want to adopt a dog?” and after thinking about it, I filled in “to complete the family.” It felt true, as unconventional as that family was. It consisted of me, my grown stepdaughter, my biological son (age 6 at the time), and my boyfriend. Embrey made five.

I didn’t know it, but within a year, that family would change drastically. But oh, those first months were everything I had ever dreamed, and more. The joy of having a puppy around, of watching her play with my kids or softly snooze on a blanket, was incomparable.

At the same time, I was learning things about dog ownership. My legs were soon covered in tiny black and blue marks from her playful nips, and I lost several cherished items to her constant gnawing, including one of my son’s baby toys, a floorboard from the deck and a sex toy I was partial to. 

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These inconveniences, along with the vet bills, constant shedding and potty training accidents, seemed like a fair price to pay, though. I had expected these things. Others I never saw coming.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, my partner’s mental health took a sudden downward turn, and he started self-medicating. After I discovered the liquor and pill bottles, I gave him an ultimatum, and he chose the option that wasn’t us. I never believed he’d stay gone, in part because he loved that dog so damn much. But he declined visitation, or to even look at photos of her once he’d left.

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I was in shock, left alone with a mortgage, kid and a dog just out of puppyhood to handle all on my own. All my careful plans and patience had been for nothing. The big yard was useless because it wasn’t fenced in, but the dog needed to walk, so we walked, endlessly. She seemed thrilled with this arrangement, while I trailed, more often than not sobbing in broad daylight. 

Between walks, I’d cry at the kitchen table, and Embrey would run over from wherever she was in the house and crawl into my lap to comfort me. My stepdaughter had moved out, and my son would travel back and forth to his father’s, so it was often just me and her for days on end. As soon as my ex left, I said screw crate training and let her sleep with me. Knowing she needed to be fed and walked was the only thing getting me out of bed most mornings.

About  The Ethel

The Ethel  from AARP champions older women owning their age. The weekly newsletter honors AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who believed in celebrating your best life at every age and stage. Subscribe at  aarpethel.com  to smash stereotypes, celebrate life and have honest conversations about getting older.

Rather than be grateful for that, I resented her. I resented having to shoulder the burden of another living thing on my own when that wasn’t in my plan, and I resented her very existence because it reminded me of my ex. One day, a car identical to his drove down the block as we were walking, and she started after it, and I could only watch pitifully as she realized it wasn’t stopping. It was just her and me now, and I didn’t love her like he had.

Truthfully, Embrey hasn’t exactly made it easy on me. She demands walks in any kind of weather, so I’ve been caught in thunderstorms and dragged over ice while she chases the local wildlife. Even though we live in the suburbs of a pretty major city, she’s come nose to nose with a fawn, beaver and one dark day decimated a nest of baby bunnies. As a solo dog owner, I alone deal with her unruliness at vet visits, an ongoing feud with a pair of greyhounds in my neighborhood, runaway romps in the woods and mystery illnesses including, to my great horror, what turned out to be worms.

This was never how I envisioned life as a dog owner, and I certainly never expected violence. Embrey has been attacked twice by other dogs. She has a scar on her neck from the first time; I have a scar on my thigh from the second. Almost losing her terrified me, and now I’m a helicopter dog mom who carries a canister of mace around my neck at all times.

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Embrey is approaching her fifth birthday, and the latest in her campaign to drive me crazy is something called spay incontinence; i.e., she has started peeing all over the house, something I didn’t anticipate being an issue for another five years or so. It affects around 20 percent of female dogs, though I have never known any. Unless I want to keep up this cycle of endless laundry, she will likely need medication. At this point, her medical care exceeds my own by a good margin. And I know the worst is yet to come because adopting a dog is like investing in heartbreak. In the end, they all destroy us, and the more you love them the harder it is.

In retrospect, though, a part of me is glad I didn’t know everything that goes into caring for a dog or that I’d be doing it on my own. Because if I had, there are so many moments I would have missed out on, moments my ex will never get to enjoy. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like seeing Embrey’s excited wiggle dance when my son gets home from school or the two of them curled up together on the couch. Watching her experience snow for the first time was magical, and we plan our Halloween costumes around her (she was a sandworm the year we went with a Beetlejuice theme). No holiday or celebration would be as fun; heck, even taking her to the ball field for a walk usually has people fawning all over her, asking if they can pet her and paying her compliments. In those moments, I feel like my original vision of owning a dog has been realized. I get to take her home and pet her as much as I want. She’s my dog.

That kind of love is worth the hardships, the bills and even the doggy diapers. Despite it all, I know I was right when I adopted her. She completes the family. 

AARP essays share a point of view in the author’s voice, drawn from expertise or experience, and do not necessarily reflect the views of AARP.

Jill Waldbieser is a journalist who writes about health, wellness, science, food and parenting. Her work has appeared in  The New York Times, Huffington Post  and  Everyday Health,  among other places. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and looks forward to becoming a crazy cat lady.

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The scariest Halloween monsters and their origin stories

As October 31 creeps closer, it’s time to focus on all things Halloween , from family costumes to scary movies.

It’s also the opportune season to learn more about the origins of the haunted holiday. Beyond the candy bowls and costumes, Halloween has a long and storied history.

“Halloween can be traced back to an ancient Celtic festival called ‘Samhain’ where people gathered around large bonfires and wore costumes to ward off evil spirits and the ghosts of the long departed,” says Jennifer Williams, author of K-12 history curriculum and creator of museum educational programming.

Creepy creatures like Frankenstein, Dracula, and werewolves didn’t just come from the movies: they, too, are part of a long tradition of frightening folklore.

“Spooky season has been around for thousands of years and, so too, has curiosity about scary monsters,” Williams tells TODAY.com. “Like Halloween, your favorite things that go  bump in the night  may just have historic roots.”

Some of the most iconic Halloween monsters come from literature, like Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Others have murkier origins, having been passed down through traditional tales for generations. 

Monsters are also popular on the silver screen, as evidenced by the plethora of vampire movies from “Nosferatu” to “Twilight.” If you’re looking for some spine-chilling thrills, you’ll be mesmerized by Bela Lugosi’s performance in the classic 1932 “Dracula” film, while comedic monster movies like “Bride of Frankenstein” will have you in stitches.

From witches to zombies, monsters have captured our collective imagination for centuries.

We asked experts to share some frightening facts about some of your favorite monsters. Read on to learn more about their monstrous origin stories … if you dare.

Frankenstein

Of all the mythical monsters, Frankenstein is probably the most famous.

Brought to life by author Mary Shelley in the 1818 novel by the same name, the mythical monster was said to have been inspired, in part, by trauma and loss in Shelley's personal life.

The daughter of a philosopher and feminist, Shelley eloped with an already-married poet at the age of 17. The couple bore a premature child, who died shortly after birth. Soon after, Shelley's half-sister committed suicide, along with her husband's first wife, who killed herself a few months later.

The publishing of her novel, "Frankenstein" coincided with Shelley giving birth to another child, according to an Ohio State University article, which concludes that much of the book was likely written while Shelley was "pregnant and in mourning, overloaded with images of birth and death."

According to storytelling consultant and filmmaker C.M. Conway of “How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood," while Frankenstein may have first reared his bolted, green head in Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel "Frankenstein," the monster's roots go back further than that.

In fact, Shelley's book is famously subtitled, "The Modern Prometheus" for the Greek god by the same name.

What do they have in common?

“Prometheus was the God of Fire and famously defied the gods chained to a rock. He steals fire from Mount Olympus and gives it to humanity,” explains Conway.

Both Frankenstein’s creator and the Greek god Prometheus defied forces greater than themselves in trying to benefit humanity with their creations with mixed or monstrous results. FYI: “Prometheus means forethought in Greek,” adds Conway.

For some people, the word “cyclops” is reminiscent of reading Homer’s classic book "Odyssey" in which a one-eyed giant cyclops named Polyphemus takes on the hero, Odysseus. Others, however, may recall seeing these massive monsters on the big screen in movies including "Krull" or featured in Marvel comics like "X-Men."

Regardless of how the moniker rings a bell, "Cyclopes are other famous monsters from Greek mythology and huge creatures with one eye in the center of their foreheads,” says Conway.

“Three groups of Cyclopes are said to be the three brothers (Brontes, Steropes and Arges) who made for Zeus (the ruler of the gods) his thunderbolt weapon,” she continues.

Of the monsters, whose namesake means “circle-eyed” in Greek, Conway explains that “originally, they were imprisoned blacksmiths, and had one eye due to the deal they made with Hades to see into the future."

Ah, how these bloodsuckers captivate our imagination. The subject of endless books , vampire movies and TV shows, our fascination with vampires has lasted throughout the ages and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Dating back centuries, the idea of undead monsters who prey on the blood of unsuspecting innocents first took hold in Eastern Europe. That said, interestingly enough, almost every culture in history has folklore surrounding creatures of the night who crawl out of graves in search of humans to feast upon.

The first known book to popularize the myth is John William Polidori's "The Vampyre," which gave the creature its enduring moniker back in 1819. Nearly 80 years later, Bram Stoker penned the classic novel "Dracula," cementing our modern-day notion of vampires forever.

We'd be remiss, however, to not mention Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula in the 1931 movie by the same name, which still stands as the romancing, debonair bloodsucker we associate with vampires today.

Lastly, there's Stephanie Meyers' "Twilight," of course. Whether you're Team Edward or Team Jacob, you have to admit, the series left plenty of fans wondering (or wishing) if vampires are real or not.

If you're among them, find out more here .

It wouldn’t be a round-up of Halloween's most celebrated icons without including witches.

Along with being one of the most popular Halloween costumes for kids and adults, their imagery and likeness can be found just about everywhere during the spooky season.

But, contrary to popular belief, witches are far more than broomstick-riders and cauldron cookers.

In fact, witches and witchcraft are part of a much broader form of paganism and many of our pop-culture perceptions around those who practice it are steeped in misinformation and outdated folklore.

Despite what you may see in the media, witchcraft has been around for hundreds of years and revolves around a set of spiritual beliefs grounded in the natural world. Those who practice it embrace Wiccanism, magic and often celebrate earth cycles and seasons.

While we may think of witches only as part of Halloween, there's far more to know and you can learn all about it right here .

Should you ever find yourself visiting local medieval churches in Europe, Williams suggests that while looking around, you also look up.

Why? Because “perched atop these holy roofs and with gaping maws forming drain spouts you will find gargoyles," Williams tells TODAY.com.

As Williams explains, these monstrous stone images kept rainwater from eroding cathedrals like Notre Dame, but also held deeper meaning. “Their grotesque faces and stout bodies were designed to represent evil and remind sinners of the dangers of hell. Medieval folks were also a superstitious bunch, and they believed gargoyles warded off evil spirits and demons,” she says. 

Zombies are one of the most frightening Halloween monsters simply because the idea of the dead returning to walk among the living is downright scary for most people.

But where does it stem from? The frightening transition from a corpse returning to life can be traced back to Voudou, or as it's more commonly referred to "Voodoo."

“The success of shows like ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘ The Last of Us ’ depict a lasting pop culture craze – zombies,” says Williams who goes on to explain that the word "zombie“ likely comes from somewhere in West Africa where it arrived with enslaved people on the coasts of Haiti.

"There, a religion that meshes Catholicism and West-African beliefs called 'Voudou' was born," says Williams, "and so was the zombie.”

Williams continues by saying that a Voudou priest or sorcerer, called a “bakor” was said to perform rituals that could reanimate the dead and create zombies.

“Like Haiti, the Creolized religion of Voudou arrived on U. S. shores with enslaved people and so did their stories about zombies. These stories frightened enslavers and eventually made their way into American popular literature and film,” says Williams.

The Grim Reaper

The origin of the Grim Reaper is almost as scary as the monster itself and dates back to the Middle Ages when one of the deadliest plagues in history killed off nearly one-third of the earth's population.

“During the Black Death, a plague that swept across Europe in the 14th Century killing hundreds of thousands of people, there arose imagery of a figure cloaked in a black mourning robe, often with a skeletal face and carrying a scythe,” says Williams.

According to Williams, during that dark period, art often depicted death and the personifications of death that permeated Europe as scores of people suffered and died from the plague.

“The black cloak the Grim Reaper dons is a robe of mourning. It is also similar to the dark robes frequently worn by the monks who oversaw deathbed rites and funerals. The scythe is a tool used to harvest crops, just as the Grim Reaper must harvest souls, and, of course, this reaper is a skeleton because skeletons are representative of death,” says Williams.

Despite the centuries-old imagery, the name “The Grim Reaper” didn't become associated with the cloaked figure until 1847, when it was used in a devotional called "The Circle of Human Life," according to Williams.

After that, the two were irrevocably linked.

Melonheads  

“According to the legend, Melonheads are humanoids with bulbous-shaped heads that live in the woods and attack any unsuspecting passersby,” says Carrie McCabe , podcaster of “Ain’t It Scary with Sean & Carrie” and horror filmmaker.

According to McCabe, the monsters are mainly native to New England, though versions of the folklore can also be found in Michigan and Ohio.

Though there are variations to how and why Melonheads came to be, one of the most common stories revolves around a Connecticut asylum that supposedly burned to the ground in the fall of 1960.

McCabe explains that according to legend, all souls were lost in the fire with the exception of 10 to 20 patients, who supposedly survived and escaped into the woods.

“Our melon-noggined friends allegedly descend from these escapees, who are said to have resorted to cannibalism and inbreeding to stay alive and thus created warped little baby monsters with possible psychoses that roam the forests of the state until they want to pop out and spook some trespassers,” says McCabe.

Other retellings of the monster myth have escapees fleeing a prison, a campground or other creepy place that went up in flames, sending all its occupants to forage in the forest.

“Yet another version of the story makes the Melonheads scions of a Colonial family that were banished to the woods after accusations of witchcraft,” McCabe says. 

Flatwoods Monster

If you've never heard of the Flatwoods Monster, it may be because you aren't local to the Appalachians, which are home to this robust legend.

Like something straight out of a UFO movie , the Flatwoods Monster myth originated more than 70 years ago and stems from a story about an alien encounter.

“On September 12th, 1952 in Flatwoods, West Virginia, brothers Eddie and Freddie May were playing with friends when they witnessed a strange object in the sky seemingly land on a nearby farm,” shares McCabe.

“Along with their mother and older cousin, the boys went to investigate ... and encountered a strange, giant creature (or was it a machine?) that terrified them and would create mythology and questions for decades to come," she says.

Thus the Flatwoods Monster was born and, according to McCabe, it's been "hypothesized to be an alien from another planet, or a cryptid native to the woods of West Virginia, or a sibling of the famous Mothman — or perhaps the Mothman ‘himself,’” says McCabe.

Half-man, half-canine, werewolves have been around for centuries. At least in folklore, anyway.

What's the origin of the enduring legend?

While stories of shapeshifters have circulated in every culture throughout history, including the Greeks, the werewolf as we know it today, has its roots firmly planted in the movie "The Wolf Man."

Portraying the tortured monster, actor Lon Chaney Jr. set the bar for all werewolves and werewolf movies that followed the 1941 film.

Many of the things we associate with modern-day lycanthropes come from the iconic movie, including the notion that the monsters can only be killed by a silver bullet and the visual of werewolves howling at the moon.

If you're wondering if werewolves are real or not, you can learn all about lycanthropes right here .

More haunting Halloween facts

• Are ghosts real? What to know about hauntings and paranormal activity
• Are vampires real? What to know about the undead, according to experts
• Are witches real? What to know about spells, magic, covens and beyond

Perri is a New York City-born-and-based writer. She holds a B.A. in psychology from Columbia University and is also a culinary school graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute. She's probably seen Dave Matthews Band in your hometown, and she'll never turn down a bloody mary. Follow her on Twitter  @66PerriStreet  or learn more at  VeganWhenSober.com

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