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Halloween is the perfect time of year for people who love to get their hands dirty and make something creative. From an array of home decorations, and monument-like yard decorations to delicious fall baked goods, there is a little something for everyone.

But at the top of most people’s minds are the Halloween costumes. From spooky to topical, each year brings out a collection of folks who make brilliant and creative outfits, either for good, old trick-or-treating, a party, or just for the fun of it. So get comfortable as you scroll through and be sure to upvote your favorites from this year.

#1 Bob Ross And Painting Costume

Image credits: thedrakefenlon

#2 The Shining

Image credits: Dlo455

#3 Wheel Chair Costume

Image credits: Bird4416

While Halloween or at least the North American interpretation of it comes from the Celtic tradition of Samhain (Calan Gaeaf in Wales and Cornwall,) many cultures have their own variant of a holiday based around dressing up and perhaps going over to the neighbors to demand treats or songs.

In nearly all cases, these traditions had pagan roots, focusing on appeasing spirits, helping one survive winter and perhaps communicating with loved ones who had passed away. Post-Christianization, in many places, the church simply chose to “adopt” the ideas and shift them in a more “acceptable” direction.

#4 This Year I’m Going As My Biggest Childhood Fear For Halloween. I Think I Nailed It

Image credits: josiemarcellino

#5 My Wife Is Bedbound So I Made Her This Halloween Costume

Image credits: kitz2103

#6 Chicken Cord On Blue

Image credits: notevergreens

At the time, the equivalent of a trick-or-treat was the practice of guising, where a group of children would dress up and go door to door in search of treats. The term “guising” comes from the dis-guises the children would wear. As many a curmudgeonly adult has said, children these days have it too easy. Back in the day, getting a treat from a house would require at least a verse or a song.

#7 I Made My Plant Costume

Image credits: 9bombs

#8 “Hello Mah Baby, Hello Mah Honey, Hello Mah Ragtime Gaaaaal!” Should Have Had The Soup!

Image credits: PixieFurious

#9 The Penguin! (’92 Danny Davito)

Image credits: Logical_Door6704

On the other hand, the guisers had more responsibilities as well. Trick-or-treat was taken more literally, where a lack of a treat would lead to tricks, or, in other words, mischief from the costumed children. These days, you are a lot less likely to encounter a child who will vent their fury at not getting some candy, unlike the guisers of the past.

#10 Couples Costume | Predator & Thermal

Image credits: Go_oma-da624

#11 Home Alone 2 Done With The Family!

Image credits: bgavinski

#12 My Homemade Halloween Costume This Year – I Was A Wine Bottle Opener

Image credits: ties_11

The form of trick-or-treating, as we know it today, was first recorded in Kingston, Ontario, in 1911, where it looked much like the guising described earlier. In general, at the time there was a resurgence in interest around Halloween activities, as costume parties began to become more popular again.

#13 My Daughter As Ellie From Tlou1

Image credits: a3p4lesca

#14 Headless Horseman Halloween Costume

Image credits: SinjiOnO

#15 Happy Halloween From Your Friendly Neighborhood Wild Thing!

Image credits: Adherentsofher

American historian Ruth Edna Kelley wrote in 1919 that “The taste in Hallowe’en festivities now is to study old traditions and hold a Scotch party, using Burn’s poem Hallowe’en as a guide; or to go a-souling as the English used. In short, no custom that was once honored at Hallowe’en is out of fashion now,” which with some minor modifications could be said to be true of today as well.