Try dressing as a Republican. The main intent is to scare, and thus many will dress as talk show hosts or Teletubbies. Others of us can terrify by simply going in public nude, or even just in our undergarments. Costumes need not be frightening or gruesome. Just dressing up is half the fun.
Care ought to be taken with costumes, as some can be downright dangerous.
Red devils should be painted pink or mauve, whereby their demonic affiliations are lessened. Also, instead of a pitchfork, they can carry a wooden spoon or ladle. Instead of horns on the head, try two big toes. Rather than a werewolf, try dressing up as a guinea pig, an eyebrow, or a piece of lint. The point is, this dressing-up ritual need not be taken to the extreme.