Trick-or-Treat: A Nostalgic Journey into 80s and 90s Halloween
The evolution of Halloween then vs now
Dear Reader— This post is an excerpt of my work-in-progress book dedicated to fellow nostalgists like me. It’s my love letter to Generation X. Please make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter to receive updates and future excerpts. Here are links to additional excerpts I have shared:
As the crisp autumn air settles in and leaves begin to turn, those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s can't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the Halloweens of our youth. It was a time of tremendous excitement, creativity, and just a hint of spookiness that made October 31st the most anticipated day of the year.
I realize it’s not October yet. But it’s almost October and someone has to be the first to usher in the excitement of Halloween.
I’m not sure about you, but my parents hated Halloween. They called it Satan’s holiday. Maybe this was a typical thing in Christian households, because you know, 80s Christian is the most hardcore Christian. But for us kids it was a blast, and I tried to keep it simple with Dracula fangs and some cheap face paint that ate through my skin. We just wanted to fit in, and my sisters and I did whatever we could to enjoy the holiday without alarming our parents. Were your parents like this or did they let you enjoy Halloween without making you feel like you were going to go to hell?
The Costumes
One of the most thrilling aspects of Halloween was choosing the perfect costume. In the 80s and early 90s, popular choices often reflected the pop culture of the time. We eagerly donned plastic masks and vinyl suits to transform into our favorite characters. He-Man, She-Ra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the Ghostbusters were costumes I remember seeing for years throughout the two decades. For girls, Madonna-inspired looks with lace gloves and teased hair were a hit, while boys often opted for Universal Monster costumes. Central to these memories are the iconic Ben Cooper costumes and masks, which defined Halloween for an entire generation.
Ben Cooper, Inc., founded in 1937, became synonymous with Halloween for generations of kids, especially from the 1950s through the 1980s. Their simple yet effective costumes—typically a plastic mask paired with a vinyl smock—were the definitive costumes of our childhood.
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