Halloween: the only time during the year when wearing a mask, full-body costume or next-to-nothing out in public is acceptable and not viewed as out of place. It’s a holiday that allows people to leave their anxieties, self–consciousness and shyness at the door. Taking on an alter ego for a few hours — or a week, depending on how much you like to party — is an often much-needed change of pace for the busy and midterm-ridden college student.

At the beginning of the month, I started hearing students asking others what they would be for Halloween and what their plans were. The usual answer consisted of “I don’t know” and “It’s too far off to even think about.” With Halloween less than 24 hours away, those same questions are now a major topic in conversations and Facebook chats and statuses.

This anticipation and planning makes the 31st, and the week leading up to it, resemble a fashion show of creative, creepy and revealing outfits. Disney princesses and nurses mingle with pirates and Kanye West look-alikes. Candy becomes an increasingly popular snack choice. Fun is defined by visiting a dark and decorated house or getting lost in a maze of tall plants. And visiting a farm or grocery store to buy orange squash is an annual highlight.

But Halloween is a holiday that is more than candy corn and costumes. It originated from a Celtic festival that took place on the day the Celts believed the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. With the Roman, Christian and American influences throughout the years, it eventually evolved into the trick-or-treating holiday we celebrate today.

To enhance your usual Halloween routine, The Daily has included a section about various events and activities where you can treat yourself to an entertaining evening. We’ve compiled a few suggestions for last-minute costume ideas and chatted with makeup artists to come up with the best way to complete your Halloween look.

Happy haunting.