Halloween costumes have come a long way since I was a kid. These days, costumes hit the shelves almost as soon as the back-to-school displays go up, and seasonal pop-up shops make it easy to find just about anything in any size. But back then, options were far more limited. Costumes were usually homemade—a creative mix inspired by something from TV or a favorite book, pieced together from whatever we could find around the house. We roamed the neighborhood as cowboys, Indians, gypsies, or pirates, pillowcases in hand to haul home our loot.

That all changed the year my younger siblings received the first store-bought costumes in our family. Mom decided her “Irish twins” would be superheroes. They were thrilled, having watched Superman cartoons and Linda Carter’s Wonder Woman on TV. Mom presented the costumes in two rectangular boxes, each with a clear plastic window. Behind the windows peered brightly colored faces with hollow eyes and perfectly sculpted hair, frozen in plastic. Inside lay neatly folded vinyl suits, complete with bold superhero insignias. The shiny packaging and vivid colors promised a night of excitement.

The reality, however, was less glamorous. Wrestling squirming kids into vinyl suits was no easy task, especially once potty breaks were thrown into the mix. The masks were worse—tiny eyeholes, a pinhole for breathing, and a flimsy rubber band stapled at the sides to hold them in place. By the time both kids were dressed, one was already sweaty and miserable while the other was itching to escape. No surprise there are no photos from that year. In the end, the adventure lasted only a short while before they abandoned trick-or-treating altogether, happily handing out candy at home while sneaking plenty for themselves.

Costumes today are a different world. When my daughters both chose to be superheroes, we found Batman and Captain America masks at the very first store. They looked just like the movie versions, and the outfits were made of breathable fabric—comfortable enough for parades, school parties, and a full night of trick-or-treating. Nothing like the stiff plastic and vinyl from years ago.

It makes me wonder how Halloween will look when my kids have kids of their own. Whatever the changes, I hope the magic remains—the thrill of choosing the perfect costume and the joy of becoming, for just one night, a hero, a villain, or anything the imagination dares to dream.

~Article by Stacy Turner