Bite-Sized Nostalgia

Before the era of deluxe store-bought suits with built-in foam muscles, Halloween in the late 1970s and '80s was a whole different ballgame. For most of us, our very first trick-or-treating outfit came straight out of a flimsy, rectangular cardboard box manufactured by Ben Cooper or Collegeville.

The formula was brilliantly simple: a slick vinyl smock featuring a giant, colorful illustration of the character you were supposed to be, topped off with a razor-thin, vacuum-formed plastic mask.

Lacing up that outfit was a true rite of passage. The mask was secured to your head by a fragile rubber band that felt like it was one sudden head turn away from snapping. The tiny, sharp nostril slits let in barely a whisper of air, and within five minutes of hitting the pavement, the inside of that plastic shell turned into a humid tropical rainforest of sweat and condensation. You had zero peripheral vision, your breath smelled like plastic, and you were freezing in the autumn chill—yet you felt completely invincible.

Whether you were pounding the neighborhood sidewalks as a shiny vinyl Luke Skywalker, a fluorescent witch, or a neon-colored Pac-Man, that sweaty box costume was your ticket to total freedom and a pillowcase heavy with candy bars. It wasn't fancy, but it was pure magic.

What was the very first costume you remember wearing?

Ask anyone who trick-or-treated in the '70s, '80s, or '90s, and they’ll tell you that not all Halloween candy was created equal.

Your neighborhood route was basically a high-stakes tactical mission. You’d trek past the houses handing out boxy orange-and-black peanut butter kisses, boxes of raisins, or—worst of all—pennies, holding out hope for the ultimate prize: the coveted full-sized candy bar.

While a fun-sized Snickers or Twix was always a solid win, the undisputed king of the pillowcase haul was the full-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

There was something legendary about pulling a pristine, full-sized two-pack out of your pillowcase. The rich, salty peanut butter core wrapped in smooth milk chocolate provided the perfect flavor balance. Plus, that orange foil packaging practically glowed against the dark autumn night like a trophy of sweet success.

In the unspoken hierarchy of post-trick-or-treat living room trading floors, a Reese's held maximum bartering power. You could trade one full-sized Reese's for three boxes of Nerds, two packs of Skittles, or an entire handful of Dum Dums. It was the gold standard currency of Halloween night.

Getting a full-sized Reese’s didn't just satisfy a sugar craving; it instantly made that house the legend of the block and made every cold, foggy step around the neighborhood completely worth it.

Which treat was the ultimate prize in your trick-or-treat bucket?

1. "Thriller" | Michael Jackson (1982) Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" became the ultimate Halloween anthem. With its unforgettable music video, Vincent Price’s chilling narration and legendary choreography, the song transformed a pop single into a cultural phenomenon. Directed by John Landis, the nearly 14-minute video blurred the lines between music and horror, creating a Halloween tradition that continues decades later.  

2. "Ghostbusters" | Ray Parker Jr. (1984) Who you gonna call? Ray Parker Jr. delivered one of the most recognizable movie themes of the 1980s with "Ghostbusters." Written for the hit supernatural comedy starring Bill Murray, the song became a chart-topping success and an essential part of Halloween playlists. Its catchy chorus and playful energy made it impossible to forget.

3. "Monster Mash" | Bobby "Boris" Pickett (1962) Long before "Thriller" ruled Halloween, Bobby "Boris" Pickett brought monsters to the dance floor with "Monster Mash." Inspired by his impression of horror legend Boris Karloff, Pickett created a novelty hit about a monster party that became a seasonal classic. More than six decades later, it's still a Halloween party favorite.  

4. "Somebody’s Watching Me" | Rockwell (1984) With its eerie lyrics, infectious synthesizers and unmistakable chorus, Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me" became a perfect soundtrack for Halloween. The song featured Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson on backing vocals, adding even more star power. Its paranoid theme and spooky atmosphere helped turn this 1984 hit into an enduring '80s favorite.

5. "Dead Man’s Party" | Oingo Boingo (1985) Oingo Boingo delivered the perfect soundtrack for a Halloween celebration with "Dead Man's Party." Led by Danny Elfman, the band's energetic blend of new wave, horns and theatrical lyrics made the song feel like an invitation to a party beyond the grave. Its spooky personality has made it a Halloween favorite for generations.

1. In “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” what does Linus bring to the pumpkin patch while he waits?

2. In “Garfield's Halloween Adventure”, what do Garfield and Odie dress up as before setting out for Halloween?

3. What was the name of the ghostly villain in the 1980s cartoon “The Real Ghostbusters” who often appeared as a green, slimy creature?

4. In the 1978 Halloween special Witch's Night Out, which comedian voiced the Witch?

5. In “The Smurfs,” what colour is the clothing worn by the evil wizard Gargamel?

*Answers below

Nostalgia Quiz Answers

_{1. A Blanket 2. Pirates 3. Slimer 4. Gilda Radner 5. Black}