Halloween costumes

Halloween brings mixed feelings for me.  Some of my neighbours treat it like it’s a major holiday, by decorating their yards with large blow up characters or by making their homes appear “haunted”.   Other neighbours do not acknowledge October 31 at all because for some cultures, Halloween is still a religious observance.  To be truthful, I was always terrified of Halloween.  Trick or treating had no appeal to me whatsoever.  The attitude in east end Toronto was quite different decades ago and I remember being snickered at early on for not wearing a costume in the school parade.   After a few years, I eventually asked my parents for a costume and they obliged.  We bought a Raggedy Ann costume at the Top Drug Mart (now Shoppers Drug Mart) and I felt relieved that I wouldn’t stand out.  But guess what?  I wore it to school and I still got laughed at.  Looking back, I guess the plastic mask and dress made of garbage bag material did look a bit weird.

Now that I’m a parent, I have been celebrating (and actually enjoying) Halloween with my kids.  In fact, for the last couple of years, I have managed to buy costumes on sale just before Halloween and also stock up for the following year or two (they don’t call me Cheapo for nothing).  My little guy is going to be a tiger this year.  I paid $12 plus tax for this item in October 2010 at Old Navy.  Last year he was a spider because The Children’s Place had a clearance sale the week before Halloween.  I think I paid $9 plus tax.   My daughter is now six and for the first time, I did not buy her a costume in advance.  I allowed her to choose what she’d like to be instead and I have to say, what a terrible idea that was.  She decided on “Jessie” from “Toy Story” and I thought that was incredibly original.  I found a paparazzi photo of Gwen Stefani dressed as Jessie so I started thinking about buying the cow fabric to sew onto some old jeans.  Then she told me she would rather be a princess.  No wait, make that a ballerina.  I finally put an end to the nonsense and the headache of having to sew anything by going to Old Navy.  Once again, they did not fail me.  I bought a black, glow in the dark cat hoodie for $12.47, at 50% off the original price.  The hood even has ears already sewn on it!  They also had pink cheetah and striped zebra hoodies for the same price.  Pairing the hoodie with a pair of black pants that she already has means that she’ll be warm enough on Halloween night and I’m off the hook for less than $15.  And that’s something to laugh about!