The Spooky History of Halloween Costumes 

Every October, ghosts, witches, vampires, and superheroes come crawling out of the shadows. Kids (and plenty of adults) dress up in costumes for trick-or-treating, parties, and community events. But have you ever wondered why we dress up in scary costumes for Halloween in the first place?

The Origins of Halloween Costumes

Halloween’s roots stretch back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest celebration marking the end of summer. People believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, and spirits could cross into our world. To protect themselves from wandering ghosts, villagers would disguise themselves in animal skins or eerie masks to blend in with the spirits and avoid harm.

As centuries passed, these traditions mixed with Christian celebrations like All Hallows’ Eve, and the costumes became less about hiding from spirits and more about community celebration. By the early 20th century in the U.S., dressing up for Halloween had become a playful tradition for children and adults alike. Instead of warding off ghosts, costumes were a way to show creativity, celebrate community, and have a little fun with fear.

From Scary to Silly (and Everything In Between)

Today, Halloween costumes range from terrifying monsters to laugh-out-loud parodies. Some people go all out with professional makeup and elaborate designs, while others slap on a funny mask or throw together a last-minute DIY outfit. The beauty of Halloween is that there’s no wrong way to celebrate—whether you want to spook your neighbors or make them laugh, costumes have become the centerpiece of the holiday.

And with costumes comes competition. Who wore it best? Who scared the kids the most? Who made everyone laugh until their sides hurt? That’s where a little extra touch can make your celebration truly memorable.

5 Fun Halloween Contest Ideas

Want to take your party or event to the next level? Here are five simple contests ideas to make your party a hit:

1. Best Costume Contest – The classic! Hand out prizes for scariest, funniest, and most creative.

2. Pumpkin Carving Showdown – Judge on creativity, spook factor, or even “worst attempt.”

3. Trunk or Treat Champion – Reward the best-decorated trunk in the neighborhood.

4. Spooky Snack Contest – From creepy cupcakes to monster-themed treats, crown the best baker.

5. Dance of the Dead – Hold a mini dance-off for kids or adults and let the best zombie shuffle win.

Adding trophies or medals for these contests gives guests bragging rights and turns an ordinary get-together into an event people will remember.

Elevate Your Party with Halloween Awards

Here’s the thing—a trophy or medal instantly turns a party into an event. Costume contests, pumpkin carving competitions, or Trunk or Treat décor battles get even more exciting when there’s something on the line. And it doesn’t have to be serious—a simple “Scariest Costume,” “Funniest Pumpkin,” or even a gag award like “Worst Costume” adds just the right amount of fun and bragging rights.

At Trophy Outlet, we’ve been helping people celebrate milestones and memories for over 40 years. As a 3rd generation family business, we know how to make events unforgettable with affordable, customizable Halloween awards and medals. With free personalization and fast shipping, it’s one of the easiest ways to add excitement to your holiday festivities.

Don't forget about custom yard signs and vinyl banners to display event details for your Trunk or Treat, Haunted House and cosutme party.

So, while Halloween costumes may have started as a way to scare away spirits, today they’re about bringing people together—and a trophy or medal is the perfect way to crown the champions of your celebration. Plus who doesn't like a little friendly competition at the party.