What would Halloween be without all the costume parties? "Dress up as your favorite ghost or ghoul" says the invitation card. Then we have to answer the age-old question: "What should I go as?" Irrespective of whether we are horror movie fans, there is no denying that we all enjoy the idea of scaring other people. Halloween allows us to go about scaring people without being reprimanded in return. From children to senior citizens, we all love to dress up as our favorite ghouls. On the night of October 31 every year, our peaceful streets become infested by characters that seem to have walked right out of horror movies. It is like A Nightmare on Elm Street in real life.

Dressing up for Halloween is usually quite difficult. But it can also be one of the easiest things ever. Stitch up the sides of a big wide bed sheet, cut out two holes for the eyes, and a ghost costume shall be all ready for you. Of course, that could be simplifying things more than a little, unless one really wants to be a ghost. For the more complicated outfits, one can simply walk over to a costume rental store and choose the ideal costume.

There are so many outfits that you could choose from. You could go as a witch with a broom or as a zombie. You could buy one of those skeleton costumes where the bones are painted in luminous colors. The point is to look frightening. The question is how far would you go? These days, it is quite a bit easy to locate the perfect costume. Costume stores have costumes for people of all ages. So even if you want to stay away from looks out of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, you would still have many looks to choose from. Superhero movies usually provide a great deal of inspiration when it comes to halloween costumes.

However, just the clothes will not complete your look. You need halloween masks as well. Luckily, these days one can buy really realistic-looking halloween masks. So if you are looking forward to making a grand entrance dressed as a zombie, don't worry about finding the perfect make-up. There are bound to be terrific zombie masks to satisfy your need for blood and gore. Moreover, with the development of silicon masks that bear a closer resemblance to human flesh, halloween costumes have become very realistic. Halloween costume parties just became a lot more fun.

Each year a new batch of halloween costumes becomes popular. There are perennial favorites this time of year, like witches, ghosts and monsters. But popular culture is always reflected in people's Halloween costume choices.

For the fifth year in a row, people around the country will be showing supporting the troops by dressing up as soldiers. A soldier costume, whether pieced together from an army surplus store or purchased ready-made at a costume shop, is a popular choice. Men and boys alike can use this easy costume idea.

The phrase “everything old is new again” certainly applies to the next Halloween costume trend: the 80's. Fashion and hairstyles from the 1980s now have retro appeal and make terrific costumes. Teens and young adults especially enjoy dressing up in retro 80's goth costumes, or 80's punk costumes. Acid-wash jeans, glam makeup and lots of “big hair” make the perfect 80's wear for women who want to relive their teen days.

Politicians are always popular costume choices, and even more so this year as we are 13 months away from the next election. Men can choose from one of several George W. Bush masks. Political front runners Barack Obama and John Edwards are also likely costume choices. Women who want to get in on this costume trend can dress like Hilary Clinton or Condoleeza Rice.

The Simpsons made the leap from T.V. to the big screen this year, so costumes of the characters will be a big hit this season. Dressing like Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie would be great for a family of 5. Dressing like any one of the other characters, like Mr. Burns, Patty, Selma, Moe or Barney will be popular as well.

For the kids, there were plenty of feature films to draw costume inspiration from. Harry Potter and Spiderman, both popular costume choices in previous years, made their return to the big screen. Harry Potter's trademark glasses, robes and a wand are going to be popular this year, as well as costumes that depict his many friends and foes at Hogwart's school.

Spiderman has always been a popular costume, but this year the costume of his enemy Venom may be just as popular. This “black” version of Spiderman will probably sell out quickly. The other Spiderman 3 foes, Sandman and the New Goblin, will be popular picks as well.

Transformers was a summer blockbuster, and you can bet that Transformer costumes will be a hit this year. Optimus Prime, Megatron and Jazz costumes will be on the top of many boys' lists.

For the girls, the Disney Princess and Disney Fairy costumes will be as popular as ever. Dressing like one of the enchanted Princesses of the Disney movies will always be a little girl's dream come true. The new Fairies line features costumes that are just as delightful for little girls.

The movie “Hairspray” has inspired a flashback to 60's dance wear. Girls, teens and even their moms will be dressing up like they are going to sockhop. Full skirts, crisp white shirts and bouffant hairstyles will be in style this Halloween.

No matter what type of costume you're looking for, there are plenty of popular choices for 2007 for every member of your family.