There are certain themes that keep repeating themselves. You can rest assured there will be several people dressed like Caspar the Ghost, quite a few dressed as Count Dracula and his long fanged Gothic lady friends, a number of witches and a few other outfits that everybody thinks of first. Or is it just that these are the outfits the costume hire company stocks in bulk?

If you happen to have the time, money, and desire to do so, you could make a completely unique costume all by yourself. Most people, though, are missing at least one of these three things and thus choose to wear a ready made costume that's uniqueness comes from its absolute lack of connection to anything even slightly related to Halloween.

Especially if it is topical, witty, controversial or daring they will be noticed. That approach can take more courage and judgement to pull it off successfully than most of us feel comfortable about.

There is another simpler but equally effective approach to making your costume distinctive. All you need is something unexpected to act as a conversation starter. You are looking for a twist, and a brief story about it that you can use to attract some attention, and get a few laughs.

Let's take an example. Instead of going as a ghost, go as one of the Ghost Buster movie characters, and work the room meeting all the ghosts with the line you are there to bust them. Soon everyone will know you are there at the party.

You and your friends can really get noticed if you all go together with coordinated costumes. Even though going as, for example, the Addam's family is not totally original, it will definitely get people talking about your costumes and will allow you all to have some fun interacting as the characters you're dressed as.

If, when you go to buy a costume, the only one left is the all too common Dracula, you can still mix it up and make it your own. For example, you could opt to wear Dracula's classic tuxedo top, but change the pants to golf pants and tell everyone at the party you are Dracula on vacation. This is sure to attract someone who loves golf and lots of curious party guests.