Dressing Up for Halloween: Every Kid is Different

Halloween can be a scary time of year in our house. And no, we were not haunted by the creepy decorations. It was the stress of choosing costumes, which was made worse when the Party City Halloween circular arrived in the mail in late September. Four kids and many Halloweens later I've learned a few things.

I learned early on that it was best to wait until mid-to-late October before committing to a costume because some children change their minds almost daily. I also learned that pre-packaged costumes rarely made it through Halloween parades and parties, and a night of trick-or-treating.  The best costumes were cobbled together using old dress-ups and accessorizing at GBMC's Nearly New Sale. Finally, I learned that when it comes to choosing a costume and wearing it, every child is different.

"Creative (competitive)" kids: Our oldest child thought about her costume all year with the goal of winning the costume contest in the school parade. (I think her motivation was to outdo the girl who dressed as a different Disney princess each year and seemed to always take first place.) She was thrilled when she took top honors for her homemade "box of popcorn" costume one year and her ladybug outfit another.  It was well worth the effort. (Editor's Note: Speaking of creative, competitive kids, enter for a chance to win a mini vacation in either New York or Los Angeles and a chance to win $1,000. You also get to meet Heidi Klum.) 

"Not into it" kids: The promise of a bucket filled with candy was barely enough to get our second child into a costume. Understated or invisible was his preference. Over the years he graduated from the "man without a head" costume, where he was truly anonymous to the "old man" mask, which completely covered his head.  It was enough to earn treats, but required very little effort.

"Will do or wear anything" kids: The third child never had her heart set on one thing or another. Fortunately, if I suggested something, based on our costume inventory or what I knew I could make, she'd go for it.  When I glued brown fur pieces to white sweatpants and turtleneck she was a happy puppy. Rain boots, a slicker, an umbrella and box of salt transformed her to the Morton Salt Girl.

"Last minute" kids: The youngest, like her brother, also got a bit freaked out when it came to costumes. For years, unable to commit, she fluctuated between being a good witch, an angel/fairy or a bunny. Thank goodness for the props at the bottom of the dress-up trunk. The bunny ears, angel wings and pointy hat have been put to use more than once, at the last minute, when an original idea fell through.