Boo! Did we scare you? Well, let’s try again then. Halloween is a mere few days away and you still don’t have a costume. Scared now, huh. The spooky holiday is fast approaching and folks are eager to put on their most creative costumes yet. For many Americans, Halloween is the best time of year. Candy, costumes, and creepy vibes, what’s not to love about the fall holiday?
While Halloween is a holiday for all age groups, every generation seems to celebrate the holiday differently. Of them, Gen Z participates in all elements of the holiday more than the remaining generations. In fact, 84% of Gen Z celebrates Halloween; which is a 28% difference from their elder counterparts in the Boomer generation. The truth is, Halloween becomes less and less popular the older you get. But, why is that?
As adulthood settles in, it feels like playing dress up should be reserved for the kids of our nation. Year after year, the gradual shift from Halloween costumes to business attire has indicated that: As age increases, the passion around the spooky holiday decreases. You see, for many people, the scary decoration and sugar-induced highs become less thrilling as bills and responsibilities pile on.
Now, Gen Z seems to be debunking this precedent. Many of them were introduced to Halloween festivities very early in life and attribute self-expression to the holiday. The excitement of dressing up before going door-to-door to show off your creativity is a feeling many Gen Zers just don’t want to let go of. Especially as a generation that praises innovation and creativity!
“The Halloween season is the best time to play around with your creative skills. You get to be whoever you want to be, and that’s the spirit of the season. Whether it’s sewing together the spookiest costume on the block, or trying your hand at creating fall decorations, there is no shortage of opportunities,” says Corey Pearson, Chief Quilt Artist and Brand Ambassador at Linda’s.
Unlike older generations, Gen Z have managed to reshape Halloween alongside their growth. Rather than associating the holiday exclusively with their childhood, they have cultivated a holiday that evolved with the times. From elaborate and niche costumes to viral social media trends, this younger community is taking Halloween to the next level.
Not only that, but they’ve managed to do it all on a budget. A generation that loves to save a buck, Gen Zers are using their DIY brains to create unique and exciting costumes and decorations.
“Because Halloween is such a DIY holiday, it is a more cost-saving and sustainable way to step out of your comfort zone. Instead of spending a pretty penny on a costume, you can use things you have lying around the house. This will give you a little more spending money for other crafts, and is a good way to upcycle. With Halloween you can try on multiple costumes, and perhaps you are dressing up this season as a master crafter!”
Creating the perfect costume has become somewhat of an artform amongst Gen Z. Whether it’s reinventing a classic character from their favorite Pixar movie or imagining a brand-new look, this generation is leaving the store bought masks behind.
Gen Z’s love for Halloween seems to be keeping the spooky season alive. With the remainder of the holiday season holding familial and societal pressures, Halloween brings the lightness holidays are supposed to hold. To many, Halloween serves as something so simple, yet somewhat unattainable these days: Good ol’ fun.