Halloween Postcard with Anything Doing?

"Halloween Greetings. Anything doing?" reflects the early 20th-century popularization of Halloween as a festive, less overtly spiritual holiday in America, evolving from ancient Celtic traditions like Samhain. During this era, particularly from the 1890s through the 1920s, the holiday shifted from strictly religious or superstitious observances to a more secular celebration marked by parties, costumes, and playful imagery. Witches, once feared figures in folklore, were reinterpreted into more whimsical and attractive forms, as seen with the woman in a pointed hat.

The inclusion of a grotesque mask, held by a sophisticated figure, highlights the period's fascination with the macabre blended with elegant presentation. Postcards became a primary medium for disseminating these new, standardized holiday aesthetics, solidifying motifs such as witches, black cats, and moons as quintessential Halloween symbols. This era saw communities embracing masquerades and lighthearted spookiness, transforming old fears into opportunities for social interaction and entertainment, perfectly captured by the casual invitation "Anything doing?".