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Why do we use masks at Halloween? No, it’s not just to be able to get away with playing a trick on your partner, family or neighbour!

For the historical basis of the use of masks we have to go back to the Celts in ancient Britain.
According to their beliefs, the souls or spirits of all the people who had died that year gathered together on October 31st, the day that represented the end of summer for the Celts. At this meeting, the souls decided whose body, either person or animal, they’d occupy for the next year. That strikes me as a pretty good reason to disguise your face!
So with Halloween quickly approaching, it’s time to think about your costume or at least your mask.
If you really want to make an impression, you could always splash out for a Venetian mask. These are usually ornate in design, very decorative and colourful, often using gold and silver. These masks are traditionally used during the Carnival of Venice.
Because of the crowded conditions in Venice, people couldn’t misbehave without being found out so the mask was a way, especially during Carnival, to behave differently than they normally would. While wearing a mask people could be anyone they wanted to be without being judged as bad by others, some people would even star in acts that were not only sinful but also against the law. Gamblers wore masks to remain anonymous so that no one in the community would know of either great wins or losses. Wearing a mask was probably necessary for many!
Going a bit closer to home – here are some suggestions of what is “hot” in America this year – Bernard Madoff, the convicted multi-billion-dollar swindler, “Barakula,” a ghoulish version of President Barack Obama’s face with bugged-out eyes, Vulcan-style ears and knife-sharp fangs. Or the late Michael Jackson, together with the red leather jacket he wore in his “Thriller” video or the studded black outfit from the cover of Jackson’s 1987 album “Bad”. Other popular rubber masks include Obama’s wife Michelle, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Hollywood star and now California Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger. The hit fantasy-romance vampire series “Twilight” has inspired a crop of zombie and vampire masks as well.
When choosing a mask, the experts will tell us chose one that fits with the nose and mouth holes where they are supposed to be so you can see and still breathe. Good thinking, Bat Man!

The weight of the masks and the material it’s made of are two other things to think about. Otherwise you could choose one that will make you sweat so much that you won’t be able to keep it on. For more ventilation, you can always enlarge the nose, mouth and eye holes. Just don’t get carried away with the scissors or the mask won’t hide much! If, however you do cut away too much, use some face paint – black or the same colour as the mask – to fix the problem.

Whoever you chose to be this Halloween, indulge in a bit of escapism, dress up, be someone else and have fun.