A friend of mine was all flustered over her kids' costumes - one is going out as a ladybug, another as a gingerbread man. She could have bought the suits, but decided she could make them just as easily. Well, sorry, nothing is just as easy as buying a ready made suit. Anyway, I'm sure they will be cute. Her eldest son is going as a Mad Man, specifically, Don Draper. I don't think he actually knows who Don Draper is, except that his parents keep referencing him and he gets to wear his grey ring bearer's suit from a summer wedding he was a part of. It may be his last chance to wear it, so he has been granted his wish. He has a dark blue pillow case for his loot bag and she has written Crown Royal on it in elegant gold script.
We got to talking about the costumes of our childhood (mine in the 60s, hers in the early 80s). And the tears when the wonderful costume had to be covered up with a winter coat or rain jacket against the cold and damp.
Gone are the days of putting an old bedsheet over yourself and calling yourself a ghost. Or wearing your dad's old shirt and becoming a hobo. It turns out she does not remember those decorated plastic poncho like thingies that we wore, along with the plastic masks that made your face sweat. 
Really, those ready made costumes have come a long way, baby.
I remember going as Zorro, at least once, but I believe I just had a mask and a towel wrapped over my shoulders and a silver foil covered umbrella to brandish about as a sword. Maybe I might have had something similar to this Lone Ranger costume, but I doubt it. Surely I had nothing this cheesy?
And just in case the hair wasn't enough (and yes, I did have Farrah Fawcett Hair) this dreadful depiction has a photo AND a name to let the candy giver know exactly who you were.I don't get any trick or treaters at my door, but I do have a bowlful of candy. I even found one of those candy necklaces that were so much fun to wear to school and slowly destroy by eating piece by piece. But I won't be dressed up. Then again, will my penguin decorated flannel pajamas count? I understand it will be close to freezing on Sunday night. Hot chocolate and mini Mars bars. Yum.
I'll come trick or treat at your place.
ReplyDeletewhat (or who) will you come dressed as, Nora?
ReplyDeleteOh I hated getting the raisins! And my kids used to get pencils at some houses. Really? School supplies for Halloween? I'm sticking with the candy.
ReplyDeleteAs for my childhood, I was also in the 60's...but lived in the south at the time so it was usually warm enough to go without the coat over the costume.
And that Farrah costume...now that's funny!
Dear me! The things that used to happen - and I'm sure they were just as much fun!
ReplyDeleteOne advantage to those thin, plastic capes, Em was that you could put it over your winter coat, if your mother thought to buy a big size &/or you were small enough.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to be out at night, weandering the streets, Jabblog from what I remember. maybe not such a rarity for today's kids.
ReplyDeleteI would come dressed as the Lone Ranger, of course. That would be perfect for me. The ultimate lone wolf. Would you be Tonto?
ReplyDeletepa-sha! there is nothing like creativity in action to create one's own costume, however simple.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm with you on the raisins! :-D Blech!
I was not a raisin fan either and usually made my displeasure known (I was a bratty kid). I say Halloween equals chocolate-- the more the better!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy
In our far off land we did not celebrate Halloween, except from the religious observance of All Saints and All Souls Day. However it seems to be oozing into our culture - very strange, it seems to me, as we never had witches, etc either. There is some trick and treating, but not in our house.
ReplyDeleteNora: no. if I can't be the big guy, I will want to be something completely different and maybe dress up as royalty
ReplyDeletePagan: I agree about the creativity - but one needs time for that
Joanna: Hallowee'en is definitely all about chocolate! everything is a waste of money
Persiflage: and I find it a little sad that it is oozing its way over to you. there is really no need for the whole world to celebrate Hallowe'en. I don't even know if it is as big a deal here as in the States (but I don't have kids)
I sued to make my kids' costumes but I was kind of relieved when they took over!
ReplyDelete