Halloween is the time to make a statement

This past weekend UConn was dappled with witches, princesses, school girls and firefighters, but there were surprisingly fewer political get-ups than expected. There was the occasional charismatic Obama or peep-toe- pump-clad Palin, but in general, the political statements were few and far between.

While Halloween is a time to dress up as whatever one pleases, it could also be a time to make a statement. The majority of statements include scantily-clad girls saying, "I'm cold" or "these heels are killing me." With all the ranting about foreign policy and vows to vote despite having four classes back to back on Nov. 4th, one would think that more students would take advantage of sporting those librarian glasses that make Palin a "babe." Even if you are showing that you do not support the candidate, it says something about you and allows you to convey your views before the rush to the polls tomorrow.

Many college students don't take advantage of an opportunity to dress up as anything - and that doesn't just go for political candidates. There is inevitably a Halloween when you have your heart set on a costume simply because it looks good, but there are only so many characters that could be made into a risqué outfit. College students could think outside of the box a little on Halloween. In the time of our parents' Halloween adventures, costumes were made - never bought. Our generation could bring that back and set a new precedent for Halloween. This year, some costumes were very creative. There were iPod commercials and even a Facebook, complete with a place to poke him and a wall to write on. That is really what makes Halloween exciting.

Also, many of the costumes that people buy could be made instead. Making a costume can save roughly twenty or thirty dollars and it will probably look better than one that is purchased because it will be made especially for you. A home-made costume will give the person wearing it a little more flair than someone who dressed up as the same thing but who bought their costume.

In today's world of shopping, children's costumes look almost identitical to their adult counterparts. There is something very wrong when a Cinderella costume has the exact same design for a six year-old as it does for a 26-year-old. Obviously the sizes and proportions are different, but it shouldn't be the same basic idea. Even if college-aged kids purchase their costumes, they should take some time and effort to add their own flare. Halloween shouldn't fade to buying an outfit to wear for one night so you can look exactly like ten other people on campus. College students should take the effort to make a costume or at least add to one. The best part of Halloween is to take part in activities like making pumpkin pie, carving pumpkins and decorating a house to make it appear haunted. Costumes should really be no different than any other Halloween activity. Only recently has Halloween become simply the act of wearing a bought costume that is prohibitively expensive for the amount of material it is made out of and prancing around in it until it has a few cups of beer spilled on it. If you make a costume, you can always take stitching out or fix it to wear during Halloween at a later point in time. Costumes from stores make alterations and stain removal more difficult.

Next Halloween, whether you are a political activist, a member of PETA, a college graduate or a current student, play with Halloween. Do something ironic, something that will make a statement or make people smile. Halloween is a holiday where anything can happen and college students are the exact age demographic that could make anything happen if they want to badly enough. So rather than driving to Buckland Hills on Oct. 28 next year to find whatever costumes iParty has left, put some thought into it. You may discover something groundbreaking or something that could create a change. At the very least, put together a costume that is fun, unique and will make people laugh.