What Halloween Looked Like the Year You Were Born
Updated: Dec. 13, 2022See how much the Halloween season has changed over the years with these vintage memories.
Halloween sure has changed since the days of apple bobbing and hand-stitched costumes. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see what this spooky holiday looked like the year you were born.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out all of the hauntingly good Halloween recipes we’ve collected over the years.
1951
Fourth graders at Newburgh Elementary School rose to the occasion on Halloween when they competed with other classes for best costumes.
1954
“We lived on 42nd street in Milwaukee. My mother must have had some old sheets to spare, as she made me and my older brother, Ken, ghost costumes for Halloween one year.” —Patricia Kasbohm Schley
No one will say “boo” to our Ghostly Custard recipe.
1957
Back in the ’50s, many little buckaroos dreamed of being just like Roy Rogers, the “King of Cowboys.”
Become a modern-day cowboy with these Wild West-inspired recipes.
1960
“In 1960, at age 8, my brother was a Roman centurion. We made the kilt and cape from an old red tablecloth and the helmet from gold-pained papier-mache. The dagger was real, but my father would let him hold it only while we took the photos” —Heather Anderson
1961
“While kids form a line, my daughter and her grade school classmate take a bite at apples swinging from the ceiling at a Halloween party in our rec room.” —Michael Lacivita
Plain apples not your thing? Take it up a notch by making these gourmet caramel apples.
1963
“When your dad is a service technician for IBM, it stands to reason that all those electronics could be used to make a blinking costume for Halloween.” —Peggy Oels
Give your holiday beverage a scientific spin by serving up this Mad Scientist Punch recipe.
1964
“Here’s a photo of my younger siblings Peter and Laura tugging at Laura’s yarn braids.” —Sally Olson
1965
“It was so cold and rainy the Halloween of 1965 that we had to wear coats.” —Karen Withers
Keep your trick-or-treaters warm by packing a Thermos of our stovetop hot chocolate recipe.
1966
Premiering in the summer of 1966, ABC-TV’s Dark Shadows served up a daily dose of vampire drama. It was part soap opera, part horror and altogether freaky,
1969
“Here’s a picture of my Gran trying the family’s clown hat under her great-granddaughter Kristine’s chin.” —Jim Mattison
1972
“My brothers Garth, Glenn and Jerry Jr. dressed for Halloween” —Sue Jernigan
Treat your ghosts to something extra-sweet this year with some of these Halloween cookie recipes.
1975
Let’s do the Time Warp! The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, was released in 1975.
1976
Few things go together as well as pumpkins and Halloween. Don’t believe us? Just check out these pumpkin recipes that are perfect for Halloween night.
1977
In 1977, the world was introduced to Luke, Leia, Han and the rest of the galactic universe with the premiere of Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope.
Don’t want to limit your Star Wars love to just Halloween? You can fill your kitchen with these Star Wars-inspired gadgets that are sure to awaken the (cooking) Force in you.
1978
“My mom was a talented seamstress who sewed all the clothes for me, my sisters and her granddaughters. In 1978 she made Halloween this cute costume for my sister Debbie.” —Carolyn Heep
1979
A year after Halloween first premiered, the mask of its infamous villain, Michael Myers, was a go-to costume choice.
If spending a cozy night in watching scary movies is your favorite way to spend Halloween, check out these recipes that are inspired by spooky films like Misery, The Ring, Children of the Corn and more.
1981
“This is my daughter, Kimberly, as a clown; and my daughter, Kristina, as a witch, in 1981.” —Darlene Brenden
1982
Be as proud of your Jack-O-Lantern this year as these kiddos were with some expert tips for carving the best pumpkin ever.
1983
Sometimes, it’s just easier for mom to dress the kids up in the same Halloween costume. Since mom always knows best, here are some comfort food recipes just like she used to make.
1984
Are you afraid of ghosts? The supernatural comedy starring Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis premiered in the summer of ’84.
Throw your very own haunted bash with help from these ghost-themed recipes.
1985
Stick together for safety, kids! These adorable “dolls” held hands and posed for a picture before continuing on their mission for Halloween candy.
1986
Look out, here comes Spiderman! Creepy crawlers, like spiders, are a staple of Halloween lore. Incorporate them into your celebration this year with these buggy recipes.
1987
“I made this pumpkin costume for my daughter. Looking back, I should have stuffed it up a bit to fill her out, but she still looked great.” —Darlene Brenden
1988
Double, double toil and trouble with your best pals this Halloween by throwing a ‘Besties and Broomsticks’ party. Check out how the party comes together, here.
1989
Classic costumes like a clown never go out of style. If you can’t get enough of these circus entertainers around Halloween, consider making a dozen of these adorable clown cupcakes.
1990
Sometimes Halloween tricks aren’t so sweet. Turn your little monster’s frown upside-down with these adorable Halloween treats.
1991
“This is my daughter, Kristina, in 1991. The grade school she attended was called Deer Creek, so I decorated her sash with ‘Miss Deer Creek’.” —Darlene Brenden
1992
Who doesn’t love a good monster mash? Recreate Frankenstein’s monster, a mummy, werewolf and more with these monstrous Halloween recipes.
1993
Some Halloween costumes, like this one from the Mattison family, are passed down through the generations. For more family classics, check out these heirloom recipes.
1994
Don’t get grumpy while carving your Jack-O-Lantern this year! Here are some awesome, no-carve pumpkin ideas that come together in a snap.
1996
Farmer Wayne Woodard rallies up 100-pound pumpkins to sell at a roadside stand in New Milford, Connecticut.
These 66 pumpkin recipes are BIG on taste and perfect for Halloween.
1997
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a Halloween without a dozen Harry Potters or Hermione Grangers running around the neighborhood. But in 1997, J.K. Rowling’s popular children’s series had just entered the scene—and sure enough, the three-headed dog costumes were soon to follow.
1998
Apples to apples, Halloween is the spookiest season of the year! If you’re looking for something to do with your apple haul, take a look at our favorite fall apple recipes.
1999
Other than Halloween, when can you see witches hanging out with cowboys? Turn your kitchen into a bona fide homestead with this cowboy cookie recipe.
