Well, here we are, the final week before Christmas. In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s all too easy to get overwhelmed with the holiday shopping process.  Poor Santa, can you imagine the stress he must be under as he attempts to please kids all over the world in one night?  Some of us find Christmas shopping completely overwhelming–others really seem to embrace the whole shopping experience and seem to always get gift giving just right.  For those of you that seem to be struggling a little bit with finding those perfect gifts for the recipients on your shopping list, here are a few pointers to help you in your quest for that perfect gift. 

According to our shopping pros, here are a few gifts you should always avoid:

Household appliances: Let’s face the facts, if you need one, you are likely to buy it yourself, getting one as a gift just isn’t very fun.  Even if your recipient is the most practical person on the planet, avoid these–no matter how you wrap up an iron or a hand held vacuum, it’s just not very exciting to open on Christmas morning.  If you were to give one to your spouse, you may even find yourself getting the holiday cold-shoulder.

Pets: Unless you are 100% positive that your recipient is ready for the responsibility of a new animal in the family, the gift of a pet is best avoided, especially if it is a legitimate surprise.  Not everyone is ready to become the new parent of a pet on Christmas morning. This is a gift that although well intended, could easily backfire on you. If your family has been considering adopting a pet into the household, find a less chaotic and exhausting time to introduce a new pet into your home as having a new animal around has challenges of its own. 

Heavily advertised on TV:  Whether it is jewelry you’ve seen about 1,000 times in holiday ads, warm body wraps with sleeves, pottery that grows plant life that looks like hair, or light switches that go on with a clap of your hand, no one really ever gets very excited about the cliché, oversold gifts that are heavily advertised on television.  These gifts often end up in the return stack for the weekend after the holiday-don’t be a victim that gets caught up in an advertising gimmick.

Pre-made Gift Baskets:  Assume your recipient has already received a few of these type of gifts, as they are everywhere that shoppers go over the holidays.  These baskets are very tempting to buy as they are packaged very festively and are a shopper’s dream as they are all ready to go.  The problem with them is that what is inside is often small on content and big on packaging–and some of the items grouped together may not necessarily appeal to your recipient.  The best gift baskets are those you put together yourself–then you can select the best goodies and items to fill your basket with based on the likes and needs of your lucky recipient.

Pre-Paid Gift Cards:  Be extremely careful with these as they often have fees attached to them when you buy them, or can be difficult to use if you are loading them with a smaller dollar amount.  Many of these cards (if not used promptly) will charge a monthly maintenance fee after a certain number of months have gone by.  This will lead to a lot of disappointment when the card is actually used.  It’s better to stick with a gift card or gift certificate for a store you know your recipient will enjoy as these type of gifts rarely have an expiration date or fee attached to them.

Still out of ideas?  There is help! Here Are A Few Ideas …

Gift an Experience:  Sometimes the best gift isn’t something that can be put into a box.  Tickets to an upcoming event that you know will be enjoyed make a fantastic gift.  You can go out on a limb and gift something crazy like a hot air balloon ride or scuba diving lessons.  Sometimes the gift of relaxation is wonderful, too–a spa day or a relaxing massage makes a perfect escape after enduring all the chaos that leads up to the holidays.

Gift of Imagination:  Kids get bored with the most popular holiday toys very quickly.  Consider the gift of imaginative playtime–with a gift full of fun accessories and children’s costumes just for dress up and creative adventures.  This type of gift never seem to lose its luster with kids and will give your children hours of playtime fun.

Family or Couple Getaway:  After the holidays are over, a family getaway may be the perfect way to recharge your battery.  If you live someplace cold and wintery, it may be fun to go someplace warm in order to unthaw yourself and relax a bit.   If you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, it’s still fun to go visit a colder, wintrier place to get a true taste of winter fun and to play in the snow. 

Finding the perfect holiday gift doesn’t have to be stressful or hard, with a little extra thought you will find that perfect present that brings Christmas smiles to all those on your own Santa’s gift list!

It seems like just yesterday that we were all dressing up in our Halloween costumes and venturing out for trick or treating adventures as well as for costume parties–now already, it’s time to start making our Christmas lists and start checking things off of them too!  No matter how well you make your holiday plans, the planning and shopping days seem to literally evaporate right before your eyes.  When you have a good idea and a game plan, it’s time to act on it while it’s fresh in your mind and before all the good stuff is gone.  Shopping and gift buying is all part of the holiday season, whether you enjoy it or not.  The more things you get done early, the more relaxed you can be to enjoy all the festivities that will be in full force a month from now.  Don’t we all say that ‘next year’ we are going to shop earlier?  Let this holiday season be your year to get some things done right now!

Post Halloween is a fantastic time to buy costumes for your kids dress up collection.  We know, as you probably do as well, that kids don’t need a holiday to put on a costume and instantly become a legendary character in their own minds.  Costumes are a fantastic Christmas gift idea for kids and will give them hours (yes…you heard that right….hours!) of imaginative playtime fun.  With many fantastic characters available, from your kids favorite TV shows, movies or cartoons you can be sure to find that perfect costume to get your child enthused and ready to dress up.  We also have some great occupational outfits from the ‘adult’ world that are exciting as well as stimulating for young minds.  Dressing as a fireman, police officer, army man, astronaut, race car driver, doctor or even a cheerleader can be extremely fun for a kid and give them a chance to pretend to be something more grown up.  Of course you wouldn’t want to forget some of the traditional dress up characters like stunning Disney Princesses, adventurous Superheroes as well as mysterious Ninja’s.  There are so many character possibilities that you may want to buy several costumes–your children will be delighted!

Don’t forget to enhance your child’s dress up experience with some fabulous costume accessories, too.   What is a Princess without her slippers and tiara or a Knight without his sword?  Make sure your child’s costume box has everything he needs to make his imagination truly come alive through experiencing a new character he finds within himself and expresses with the help of an appropriate outfit.   A costume is the perfect Christmas gift that your child will absolutely love to find underneath the Christmas tree this year.  With a costume, a child can be anything his imagination dictates–what better gift could there be this holiday season?  And the best part of all–no batteries are required! 

While you are making all these plans, you may also want to consider who is going to deliver the goods to your kids.  With a very special Santa suit, Santa himself can come to life right in your own living room!  With a special visit from a ‘real’ Santa, your Christmas can truly be a memorable and magical experience for all! 

Lady Gaga is infamous for having had many elaborate, shocking as well as avant-garde hairstyles

Think about it, as far back as Cleopatra, people have become infamous for distinctive hair.  Thousands of years ago, just as it is today, hair was dyed, curled and styled in elaborate hairdo’s that represented the fashion and the culture of the time period.  Some of these hair looks would forever be indelibly etched into history.  Even now, you can’t think of certain celebrities without imagining the haircut or hairstyle that went along with them.  Audrey Hepburn, Farrah Fawcett, Jennifer Aniston or even Ariel, Disney’s popular animated red-head mermaid are all well known personalities that had hair that was legendary.  If you are trying to recreate a hot celebrity look this Halloween, getting the hair look just right is going to be a critical part of your costume.  Our collection of celebrity-inspired wigs is going to go a long way in getting the hair exactly perfect.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

Katy Perry:  When Katy Perry wore a bright blue wig to the 2010 MTV movie awards, she admitted that she was paying a bit of homage to the Smurfs movie that she was starring in, as she was playing the role of “Smurfette.”   Whether you just want to dress a bit bold like Katy Perry, or you have a thing for the Smurfs yourself, our sassy (as well as very blue) wig is the perfect way to get a modern, sexy, get-you-noticed look for your ultimate Halloween costume. 

Lady Gaga:  Lady Gaga is infamous for having had many elaborate, shocking as well as avant-garde hairstyles throughout her career.  Ms. Gaga’s hair has been coiffed like bows, buttons, and tousled poufs as well as dyed bright yellow.  Undoubtedly, there will never be a single hairdo that you can attach to this pop star chameleon, but our Lady Gaga wigs cover a wide enough range so that you can pick your favorite look to accentuate your costume.  You can even use our Greaser wig as an option if you want to dress up as Lady Gaga’s famous male alter ego, Jo Calderone.  No matter which wig look you choose, these wigs are really worth going Gaga for.

Whether you are a Jersey Shore fan or not, this cast of characters has made their mark on media and their looks are undeniably ‘out there’.

Jersey Shore:  Whether you are a Jersey Shore fan or not, this cast of characters has made their mark on media and their looks are undeniably ‘out there’.  If you want a hilarious celebrity-inspired costume idea, dressing up as one of the Jersey Shore’s hot, tan as well as crazy cast members is going to get you lots of attention.  Having the hair just right will help you get your point across.  From Pauli D’s perfect slicked back hair, to Snooki’s sleek long locks with a perfectly placed beehive bump, these wig looks are the perfect compliment to your ‘guido’ or ‘guidette’ Jersey shore ensemble.

Justin Bieber: If you are looking to make teenage girls swoon or just make fun of those that do, you simply gotta have the right “do”.  This style has brought hair infamy to good ol’ Justin and the look can be yours, too, quite simply with this Tween Dream Wig.  This Halloween there is likely to be at least one less lonely girl when you take your pop star icon look to the stage with this perfectly coifed, Bieber-ish wig along with your best rendition of “Baby”. 

No matter what your pop star or celebrity dreams are this Halloween, get the hairstyles just right and you will be well on your way to pulling off the perfect costume look while portraying your favorite popular personality. 

Did you procrastinate thinking about your Halloween costume until the last minute again?  Or perhaps you weren’t planning on dressing up this year, but something suddenly came up and that something requires wearing a Halloween costume?  These types of circumstances can cause some justifiable panic as no one wants to embarrass himself, especially if your friends are typically Halloween costume overachievers.  All is not lost, however, here are a few ideas you can throw together quickly with stuff you probably have around the house to create a very acceptable costume solution!

Mummy:  Take an old white sheet or some inexpensive muslin and tear it into long strips along the grain.  Wrap yourself carefully from head to toe in these strips leaving your face area open.  Use dark makeup around your eyes and pale make up on your face.  This is a pretty easy and inexpensive Mummy costume that can be put together rather simply.  If you are completely desperate, you can use toilet paper to create your mummy look.  Be prepared, however as you are likely to be picked on, as well as borrowed from all night.

Sock Wench:  Remember that evil conniving wench that mysteriously steals one of each pair of socks from your laundry each week?  Become her for Halloween.  Wearing plain sweats as a base layer, safety pin oddball socks all over your body from head to toe.  Label yourself somehow with your honored title. 

Hugh Hefner:  If you have a silky bathrobe you can get away with this look.  Don your pajamas and slippers and tie on your best bathrobe (or your wife’s).  Instant Hugh Hefner!  To really get your point across, enlist the help of a couple of cooing bunnies to go as your sidekicks, Hugh is rarely seen without them.

Sexy Librarian or student:  Any plaid skirt hemmed very short with knee-highs, Mary Jane shoes and glasses will do nicely.  Tie a white blouse at your waist if you like and braid your hair if you are going for the student look, an up-do works for a librarian.  Don’t forget a couple of books for legitimacy!

Mechanic: A simple one-piece workman’s jumpsuit will do nicely for this look.  Make sure it has grease on it, and add some grease to your face as well.  That’s it!  An easy and perfect grease monkey! 

Crazy Cat Lady: Using fabric paint, take a plain sweatshirt and write I ‘heart’ Cats on the front.  Attach small stuffed cats to you with safety pins and carry as many more as you can hold. 

Hunter:  Wear camouflage from head to toe and carry an appropriate play weapon.  This technique also can easily be used to create an army look as well if you prefer to go that route.  Make sure and camo-paint your face as well with an appropriate make up kit.  This look is easy to create and looks very cool.

Broccoli Spears:  This look is a little bit silly but always gets a good laugh.  Obtain a green clown wig and wear a schoolgirl outfit for the rest of your get up. (Plaid skirt, white shirt, knee-highs and Mary Jane’s) Who are you?  Broccoli Spears!

Sports figure:  This is not the most original costume, but when in a pinch you can use a tennis outfit and a racket or football pads and a helmet to create a sports figure costume.  Face painting yourself for a “zombie” version of the sports figure will make it look like you at least made some effort and actually will redeem your costume immensely.  (With actually very little effort involved!)  Have fun and be creative!

Face Paint: To make your own last minute face paint:

• 1 t. corn starch
• ½ t. cold cream
• ½ t. cold water
• Food coloring

Mix all these together for each color you want to create.  This will wash off with cold cream.

Fake Blood: To make your own non-toxic fake blood:

• 1 c. smooth peanut butter
• 1 qt. light corn syrup
• ½ c. liquid soap
• 1 oz. red food coloring
• 14 drops of blue food coloring

Mix peanut butter with the corn syrup to make a runny mixture.  Add soap and food coloring and mix well.  Add more corn syrup until you have the desired consistency.  Like most fake bloods, this will stain so use this judiciously!

Last minute costumes don’t have to be a disaster.  Aside from planning better for next year, use your creativity and you will be amazed at how even the simplest ideas can turn out to be very clever and unique.  Have fun because at Halloween that is the point!

Costume Kits:  These handy “kits” have some really cool basics and accessories that you can use with your own clothes to turn every day street wear into a not only acceptable, but down right respectable costume ensemble.  With choices such as Jack Sparrow, Buzz Lightyear and The Green Lantern, it’s simple to bring both popular as well as familiar movie characters to life very easily.  For a more traditional Halloween look, there are kits available to recreate pirates, vampires and devils.  For a costume that is a little goofier that you can really throw your personality into, try a nerd look or perhaps even a silly nun, pig or kitty.  All the critical accessories have been put together for you so putting your costume together with little effort is a breeze.  No point in stressing about being a minimalist, with these simple looks you will get maximum results.  See how easy that was?  Halloween is fun again! 

Costume Masks:  Another cool way to get really big impact with very little effort on your part is to wear a really amazing mask.  These life-like masks come in a huge array of characters from the silly and whimsical to the really scary as well as gruesome looking ones.  Consider who is going to be at your party.  A super gory mask at a party with very young kids is really not a great idea unless you want to tick off a few mommies.  With the addition of simple clothing, however, a fantastically realistic mask can be a really quick and easy costume solution for all of you minimalists out there.

Costume Accessories:  Sometimes it’s just a matter of a few well-chosen accessories to pull off a costume look.  This can include make up, hats, contact lenses, etc.  A makeup kit that transforms your face into some sort of Halloween monster can be combined with simple dark clothing for an amazing look.   Scars, wounds and other faux body damage can be created easily through make up and prosthetics.  With a severe look like this you often need very little else with it to get your Halloween point across.  Animal looks can easily be obtained through simple make up as well.  A pair of mouse ears is a fun and easy way to take simple clothing pieces and create a Mickey or Minnie Mouse look.   As you can see, a few well-chosen accessories or a make up kit can go a long way in getting your Halloween look out of the minimalist doldrums and right into the spectacular zone.

No more making silly excuses on Halloween!  Get into the spirit of it easily by using some of these inexpensive as well as quick and easy costume tips! 

1. Are you a Simpson’s fan?  What could be more hilarious than a night spent as Duffman, the pelvic thrusting spokesman and mascot for the Duff Beer Company.  Outfitted in his standard uniform of blue and red tights and cape, Duffman and his bulging musculature wear the “DUFF” logo proudly, smack in the center of his massive, ripped chest.  Duffman’s very handy utility belt is fully loaded with several cans of beer.  “Oh yeah!!!”
2. All right, it’s funny and maybe some might think a little crude, too– but if you aren’t afraid of a little out ‘n out obnoxious humor, this Beaver Hunter get up might be just for you.  With bright orange safety vest emblazoned with “1st Annual Beaver Hunt, Load Up Your Pistol And Head To The Bush; We Gonna Snatch Us Some Beaver” –yeah, you might be a red neck but you are definitely going to get your point across. 
3. Ever just sat around and pondered what it might be like to be a 500 lb. Sumo Wrestler?  Well folks, here is your chance to find out and you don’t even have to enlist in the special Sumo Wrestler training camp in order to do it.  This unique inflatable costume is going to instantly morph you into a very large and very intimidating (well, maybe) Sumo god that is ready to take on any and all opponents.  Just make sure they aren’t wearing any sharp objects!
4. Are you ready to party?  Then perhaps you should just wear a costume that speaks for itself.  This “Ultimate Party Animal” is ready to get something fun started, beginning with some serious monkeying around.  With a no-monkey-biz Chimp mask, plaid shorts, and a shirt that says it all, your almost there.  Add the handy utility belt that will hold several cold brewski’s and you will be good to go for a night of just enjoying the real inner you.  Party on, you animal!



5. Ever heard of the 10 Commandments of partying?  Are you really a stickler for rules?  If so, you may very well be a candidate to be Party Moses and bring the 10 commandments of partying to the good people at your next Halloween function.  With commandments such as “Thou shalt always indulge in thy holy beverage, “ and “Thou shalt always …#&@!…I forget,” you will have all your friends begging for more of your kind of rules.  Take charge of your next gathering and bring them the holy word.

Okay, you funny guys, go get ‘em.  Be safe and sane, but be sure and make ‘em laugh. 

“I’m not funny.  What I am is brave.” Lucille Ball

Best of:

Scary: Zombie Prom queen-This costume will have horrific appeal to a lot of age groups.  Mildly reminiscent of the classic horror heroine from the movie “Carrie,” this Prom Queen has morphed into a classic zombie look that is very en vogue these days both in TV and in the movies.  If you are looking for a frightening look that completely thumbs a nose at all things ‘high school’–this morbid chick looks like she’s been to one reunion too many. 

Sexy:Fallen Angel-Dark and sultry, this Fallen Angel is the perfect juxtaposition of both Halloween creepy and sexy innocence.  Sort of like an angel that fell on hard times, there is something sinister yet still very sweet about her.   For girls that have many complicated layers or for good girls who just want to toy with something a little on the dark side, the Fallen Angel proves once and for all that even the baddest of girls can actually be very, very good.

Funny:Angry Birds-If you’ve ever played this game (and who hasn’t, let’s be honest, here) you know how frustrating and annoying it is to be stuck on a level and have those darn green pigs just sitting there in their quarry–mocking you.  Some of the birds are powerful and do their job well, while others just seem to flutter about uselessly and forget that there are pigs out there to annihilate.  For a hilariously clever costume idea, dressing up as one of the characters from everyone’s favorite app, (except when I want to throw my phone across the room) is going to be a sure fire hit at your Halloween party.

Superhero -Captain America-Arguably the most patriotic of the superheroes, Captain America costumes are a great choice if you are looking for a character that is simply out of this world.  With superhuman powers, a perfect body and a mission based on nobility as well as squelching evil, becoming Captain America for the night is actually a pretty sweet gig.  With fantastic costumes available for men, women and children, your entire family could be a whole gang of Captain America’s–now that’s some serious crime fighting capability.  Save the world–or at least your Halloween party.

Animal-Fox-We know that you’ve heard it before–if the shoe fits, wear it.  If you are looking to exhibit some animalistic behavior this Halloween and want the perfect Halloween costume choice to do it in, dressing up as this sassy version of a (stone) Fox might be the ultimate way of paying a huge compliment to yourself.  Alluring, yet in the most unattainable way, this sexy fox is ready to go on a Fox Hunt of her very own.

Cute-Ballerina Butterfly-Many little girls dream of being a ballerina as a youngster, others of us were forced into tutus and tights when we’d rather have been playing ‘steal the flag’ with the neighbor boys.  If you have a girly girl at your house, there is absolutely no denying how feminine, dainty and just plain pretty this costume is and your little girl is going to love wearing it while feeling like the little angel that she is. The Ballerina Butterfly costume inspires grace, elegance and femininity.  And then when she’s done with all that, she can go outside and run around in the dirt. 

Traditional-Gothic Vampire-Halloween has many classic creepy characters associated with it; vampires are certainly one of them.  If you are a traditionalist, you may be looking for a tried and true Halloween spook costume and this look could certainly be it.  Vampires have been extremely popularized in today’s media as tortured souls both torn and a bit lost somewhere between love and bloodlust.  Bring your own vampire-ish charm into your Halloween with this dark rendition of a Halloween classic.

Kid-Bumblebee-Kids love action figures and they especially love the Transformers.  (Uh, this goes for big kids, too)  What could be better than a 15ft. tall robot that can transform himself into a Volkswagen Beetle?  This costume is a lot of fun for kids of all ages that just want to take on the Decepticons and get involved in a bit of minor espionage.  With Bumblebee inspired costumes available for men, women and kids, your entire family can be a bona-fide buzzing swarm of bees! 

Infant/Toddler-Tom Arma Monkey-Alright folks, there’s cute and then there’s cuuuuute.  Your little monkey is going to make everyone simply bananas when he goes out trick or treating in this soft little furry number.  Off the charts on the adorable scale, this costume proves once and for all that being precious and darling on Halloween is just monkey business.

Best Decoration-Matilda the Witch-A bit scary, but not too much so, Matilda is the perfect decoration to set a Halloween mood on your front stoop.  She will cast a witchy spell on your visitors as she cackles at them and glares at them with her glowing eye.  Well over 5 ft. tall, Matilda will not be overlooked and will easily make her presence known as she strokes her pet black cat while greeting your neighborhood trick or treaters.  Everyone needs a good welcoming committee on Halloween-so consider making Matiltda yours as she is known to work pretty cheap.

Best Mask-Old Man/Old Lady-This is sort of like an experiment in fast-forwarding (hopefully) a lot of years.  Remarkably realistic looking, with these masks you can instantly transform yourself into an old man or an old woman and have fun experimenting with the whole old geezer thing.  Don’t be surprised if a few people question the wisdom of trick or treating at ‘your age.’ 

Weird-Ballerina Costume-Maybe it’s you, or maybe it’s one of your friends, but we all know at least one person that really, really wants to wear this costume.  Our ballerina costume, which tends to speak for itself, will take any Halloween party by storm.  Not for the shy, timid or demure, this costume will make a hilarious statement and is undoubtedly going to bring to life some of your most hidden talents.  Perhaps it should come with a warning label, too. 

Men’s-Caribbean Pirate-If you are one of those guys (or know one that fits the bill) that is not crazy about costumes, sticking with traditional manly themes is going to be right up your alley.  This sexy pirate is a real swashbuckler and a man’s man in every sense of the word.  (Not to mention a chick magnet, too.)  For a costume that’s cool (and not embarrassing) our Caribbean pirate gives you all you need excuse-wise for a night of cursing, using bad manners and drinking with reckless abandon.  Shiver me timbers and arrrrghh.

That’s it folks.  Hopefully we’ve helped you narrow down your costume choices a little bit.  It’s officially time to get excited.  Halloween is almost here!

 “Clothes make a statement.  Costumes tell a story.” Mason Cooley

Pop singer Katy Perry knows a thing or two about the mesmerizing effect of the Peacock and perhaps you should, too.  This stunning costume is so ground shakingly beautiful that you will be tempted to strut your stuff in it on many occasions aside from Halloween.  From the front, the look is simply eye popping–but once you turn around the back is even more jaw dropping, with sexy back lacing and a full plumage of iridescent feathers that teasingly sit right on your lovely booty.  This costume–simply put, is a showstopper and will pack a wallop in the sex appeal and architecture department, with very little effort on your part. 

Considering a sexy character with a bit more of a sordid as well as dark past?  What could be better than the tortured vampire?  Torn between love and bloodlust this character is ever fighting her desire for human blood in order to keep her true love…alive.  Styled a bit like a Goth Saloon girl from the Wild West, this vampiress has a definite sexier twist on an old classic Halloween favorite.

Don’t let the name fool you, as there is nothing innocent about this little Red Riding Hood.  She’s ready to deal with any and all Big, Bad Wolves that come lurking around, whether they are wearing sheep’s clothing or not.  She’s sexy, savvy and ready to head to Grandmother’s house.

A new female version of the lonely and reclusive character of Edward Scissorhands, this sexier girl version of the character, known as Miss Scissorhands, is going to turn a lot of heads this Halloween!  The dress has sultry, gothic styling and the gloves have faux scissor-like appendages just like Edward did in the original movie.  Bring back the immortal, lovelorn Edward with your own sexy version of this dark, seductive and misunderstood character!

Take your suspect and put him under house arrest while wearing our super sexy rendition of one of society’s ultimate power figures.  With a flirty ruffle hem dress and a very flattering and sexy waist cinching belt, this ‘officer of the law’ is like none you’ve ever seen before.  The costume itself is likely to bring the bad boys to their knees without an inappropriate use of force.  The included pouch may be for his heart—with this costume you certainly are likely to capture his.

Bring out your super sexy side this Halloween with one of these great costume characters.  Trick or treat?  We think it’s definitely all about the treats.  Halloween candy, indeed!

Each year at this time thousands of new Halloween costumes hit the store shelves. Costume manufacturer’s produce these costumes hoping to capture the attention (and disposable income) of the consumer. Many of those new costume designs are based on the latest Hollywood movie blockbuster, a trendy children’s TV character or even the hottest video game of the year. This year it’s Angry Bird costumes. Last year it was Lady Gaga costumes. The year before that it was vampire themed costumes … and so it goes. Seems there’s a never ending stream of gimmicks or trendy costumes introduced each Halloween. However, there’s a segment of the market who prefer the more traditional, classic Halloween costume. These are the costumes based mostly on the past 500 years of cultural inspiration. From princesses to witches to pirates, these costumes have been in existence for nearly 500 years and remain popular to this day.

Here’s an infographic that takes a look back at the costumes of the past 500 years — starting with the 16th Century. This Halloween when you’re out trick-or-treating, take a look around. You’ll be amazed at how many of these costumes are still being worn by today’s trick-or-treaters!