Costumes

Then: We lived in a fantasy dream world of cute pumpkins, cuddly elephants, and creepy zombie brides. Sure, we didn’t have Frozen princesses, but we made do just the same. Some people started their costumes early — like beginning of school, September early — while others waited until Halloween eve to slap something together. As long as you weren’t a ‘teenager’ for Halloween you were set.

Now: Similar amounts of fabric can be seen in many costumes today . . . just with bigger people in them. You know, adult-sized people. October 31 is a day to dress as your fantasy character. Oh, and be prepared to see your childhood icons shedding layers and showing some midriff along the way.

Pumpkins

Then: Pumpkin from the supermarket: $3. Carving knife and scooping spoon: $6. Runny, half-working Sharpie felt pen from your enterprising older brother: $10. Seeing how innapropriate you could make your Jack-o-Lantern before your friend’s mom yelled at you: Priceless.

Now: Enter the ‘Drunkin.’ This frat-boy-meets-Pinterest innovation involves a hollow mini-pumpkin and cheap, watered-down lager. Thought to be invented by a health conscious Quidditch player, this trend is typically employed by individuals who want to get their daily recommended amount of Vitamin A while they party.

Trick-or-Treating

Then: The one day of the year that the rules just don’t apply. You’re encouraged to dress up as your favourite Star Trek captain (or whatever normal people dress up as) and go around your neighbourhood knocking on doors demanding candy/chocolate/chips from people you barely know.

Now: This one’s actually pretty much the same as when you were a kid. Except the trick is that the club you just waited outside of for two hours isn’t going to be fun. And the treat is food poisoning from the McDonald’s you visited on your way home. Happy Halloween, everyone!