Ghosts? Ghouls? Witches? Demons? Scary movies? Candy and more candy? Does that sound fun to you?
How about orange, black, purple and neon green? That’s enough to give anyone nightmares, although I suppose that’s the point.
In case you haven’t guessed yet, I’ve never been a fan of this particular holiday.
Along with the above mentioned highlights of the season, there is what for me was always a mad scramble to make costumes for my multitude of children. And my children never wanted to be a ghost or a witch. Some of the random, unique costumes in our family history include: Paul Bunyon (we were reading a book), Mona Lisa (complete with frame), a toilet (candy went into the bowl), and as weird as it sounds, Ghengis Khan. I’m pretty sure our neighbors didn’t always recognize what they were seeing.
We used what we had and needed a lot of creativity. Okay, looking back I kind of liked this part of Halloween. We made some good family memories creating our children’s vision from what we had around the house. However, I do remember being especially frustrated because the day before Halloween, the weather would turn, and the costumes would be covered with coats.
One year I made the mistake of sewing a Legolas costume for our youngest son, who was six at the time. You must understand that we are one of those zealous Lord of the Rings fan families. We are passionate about the book and the movie, and I got a little carried away. I researched costumes from the movies and tried to be as authentic as my limited funds and time would allow, even down to sewing the leaf motif on the hem of the tunic. Mr. Watson even got into the spirit and made two wood swords and helped me with the bow, arrows and quiver.
Ever after, this particular son thought this detailed and accurate kind of costume was the norm. One year he wanted to be a War of 1812 soldier. I ask you, War of 1812? (which by the way falls right in the Regency period, which is where I’m spending a lot of time these days, but I don’t want to make the clothes. I’ll just mention details from time to time in my books). Poor disappointed Devon. He had to be a WWI bomber pilot that year because someone gave us a leather jacket.
So, if you ask I will probably tell you that this is my least favorite holiday, but while I write I realize that I do like the costumes, the drama, and the imagination of Halloween. I like the misty, brooding, atmospheric mystery of the season.
I like some of the literature that comes to mind–notably Frankenstein and the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe. I even binge watched Stranger Things. And this year I’m loving these fabulous eerie photos taken by our very gifted photographer daughter @cheznousimages
Okay, maybe I do like some aspects of Halloween. Just not the candy, more candy, and the colors.