Halloween, for me, has metamorphosized over time. As a kid I looked forward to dressing up every year. I still remember our inflatable skeleton and drawing on pumpkins. We generally didn't carve pumpkins. When I was a youth I would have 3 or 4 costumes for one season. In college I denounced the whole thing as an evil tradition. After a year or two I realized that if I threw my own parties I could control the atmosphere and activities. Soon I was full fledged into haunted houses and creepy decorations. I used to peruse Martha Stewart magazines looking for fun Halloween decoration ideas, themes and costumes. I hosted a Halloween party every year for the Dallas-Ft. Worth Young Single Adults. I continued that tradition when I moved to Salt Lake City.
So, when I first got married I turned up my nose at Doug's plastic jack-o-lanterns and orange lights. I wanted everything to be authentic. I avoided anything that looked mass produced. I excitedly decked the house out all spooky for the neighborhood kids. This was the first time trick-or-treaters would come to my house. We did that twice. We even offered tastes of brain (jello) to some of our young friends.
Now, as a mother, I've come full circle. I actually like Doug's decorations. I'm tired. Rachel isn't old enough to care about Halloween. In fact, if it is too creepy it might scare her. I currently do not plan on turning our house into a haunted mansion again until the kids are older or we decide to throw a party. Of course if I find a hidden supply of energy I might do it again for my neighbors. We had quite a few ask us about it this year.
So, when I first got married I turned up my nose at Doug's plastic jack-o-lanterns and orange lights. I wanted everything to be authentic. I avoided anything that looked mass produced. I excitedly decked the house out all spooky for the neighborhood kids. This was the first time trick-or-treaters would come to my house. We did that twice. We even offered tastes of brain (jello) to some of our young friends.
Now, as a mother, I've come full circle. I actually like Doug's decorations. I'm tired. Rachel isn't old enough to care about Halloween. In fact, if it is too creepy it might scare her. I currently do not plan on turning our house into a haunted mansion again until the kids are older or we decide to throw a party. Of course if I find a hidden supply of energy I might do it again for my neighbors. We had quite a few ask us about it this year.
So where do I stand on costumes? I have been a witch almost every year for a decade. The only deviation was last year when I had been dieting and could put on my formal dresses. Last year I was a princess. I love dreaming about costumes. I love the idea of dressing up for one night. I just have a hard time getting past my own weight issues. A far too common thread in my world.
