I'm not really a fan of Halloween. I love Fall and I love the idea of pretending and dressing up. It's the "other side" of this holiday that I don't really like. It is not only because as a Christian I find many of the secular side a little evil, but because I think the scary side of the holiday has taken over the fun parts.
As a child, I have great memories of picking out a fun costume to wear, having my mom make me a costume (I had a great clown costume and she had one that matched!), or making a costume out of old clothes and dance outfits. We had a pumpkin or two on our porch and a few Thanksgiving decorations and that was it.
Do you know that Halloween has become the 2nd most decorated holiday? Right after Christmas. Really.
That being said, I still allow my children to participate in some fashion in the Halloween festivities, I just really work to make it as acceptable as I can. I volunteer to help with the party planning at the elementary school, I supervise the costume ideas, and always have them focus on either things they would like to be when they grow up, funny creatures or animals or just plain adorable outfits. Rarely, if ever do we purchase a pre-made costume. We make them.
Now before you think I sew and am all creative, I'm not. We use "real clothing" that can be re purposed later as clothing we wear, use felt and glue guns, cut up boxes, milk cartons or plastic tubs. Whatever is needed. We use my mother to sew. We try hard to make costumes that are neither offensive, scary, evil nor inappropriate.
If you think its easy to find pre-made commercial that fits the bill, you are wrong which is why we make them. Who wants a hooters looking outfit on a seven year old? If you think I'm kidding about outfits you should read this article. Amazing is only reasonable response to all of this.
This year Mr C handed out the candy at the door, but earlier in the week had an opportunity to dress up for his schools' dance. He went as the Travelocity Roaming Gnome. Not only did he look smashing, he scored some great slippers as a result and now has soft and comfy clothes to do homework in at night.
Miss M went out with a group of girls as a Spa Girl in a soft and fuzzy robe, new flannel PJ's and a facial cucumber mask. She looked the part and except for the fact she took a shower after "all that walking," she could have just gone to bed.
Miss A's outfit could have been one of most favorite ever. It's in the running with the Amelia Earhart, NASA astronaut, and Clown Costume. We called her the Bathtub Girl, but her uncle thought she was the Bubble Bath Girl. It was super easy and really only required us to cut up a big bucket, blow up a few balloons and add a shower cap. Miss A now has some sweatpants to wear for BB practice too!
While my family's way of celebrating might not work for everyone, it is what is best for us today. In our old fashioned way of participating, our kids have fun. We have opportunity to talk about why we celebrate the way we do and I get to see my kids enjoy a childhood ritual of dressing up and pretending. I hope that part never goes out of fashion.
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