As Halloween draws to a close, this year’s celebrations have sparked heated debates and creative trends across the country. For many, Halloween fell last weekend, while others prepared for a second round of festivities this week, leading to a division over when to celebrate the unofficial holiday. This split, however, didn’t stop people from showcasing a mix of imaginative costumes, viral TikTok trends, and niche internet references that dominated the scene.
Social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) were filled with costumes referencing obscure memes, pop culture moments, and viral phrases. Costumes of characters such as “sad ant” and nods to the viral quote “he wants that cookie so effing bad” exemplified a shift towards deeply personalized, meme-inspired Halloween outfits. Gone are the days when Halloween meant generic costumes; this year, creativity and humor took precedence, with DIY costumes crafted from sleeping bags, cardboard, and other household materials often outshining elaborate, prepackaged options.
The “I hate gay Halloween” trend reemerged, showcasing ironic, offbeat costumes from moody Oompa Loompas to tributes to French pop star Serge Gainsbourg. DIY culture also reached new heights as parents, children, and even pets joined the fun with costumes that showed off homemade ingenuity. Parents documented creative costumes for their kids, such as life-size Crocs sandals and alien abductions, while nostalgic adults dressed as characters from childhood favorites like Scooby-Doo, Webkinz, and classic toys like Beanie Babies.
Despite the festive spirit, Halloween was not without its controversies. The debate over cultural appropriation has quieted but remains a point of tension. Social media saw backlash against certain costumes, such as one young couple dressed as Sean “Diddy” Combs and a bottle of baby oil — a reference to recent allegations against the rapper. This choice, as well as a viral traffic-light costume intended as a pun on “human trafficking,” spurred fresh discussions on the holiday’s boundaries. Additionally, TikTok user Chanci Culp raised questions about the ethics of dressing as celebrities from different racial backgrounds, sharing her concerns with her followers in a widely viewed post.
This year’s Halloween demonstrates a shift towards highly personal, meme-based costumes, as well as a continuing conversation about sensitivity and respect in the face of modern social issues. Whether pushing creative limits or reflecting on the meaning behind costume choices, Halloween has become more than just a night of frights — it’s a mirror of the internet culture that influences our everyday lives.
