Isn’t October one of the best months of the year? I know most of you would answer with a resounding “Yes!” Many of us love October because there’s that official feeling of “It’s finally Autumn!” Some of you thrive on pumpkin spice or comfy sweaters and plaid. Others can’t wait for a family photo op below the canopy of ever-changing leaves.
I love October for many of the same reasons. To live a full year of this autumnal month would be a dream!
One of my favorite things about October is that it offers the gift of fright. Spooky season is upon us when October first hits the calendar. I love a good haunted house or scary story, their backdrop a crackling fire or a burnt orange sky.
Tales From Before
When I was of elementary age my family didn’t celebrate many holidays, especially not Halloween. We attended a church that forbade participating in any sort of “pagan” celebration.
I didn’t know any other way of life, so I didn’t feel sorry for myself. During school Halloween parties I remember sitting in the silent school library, thumbing through books. All of my classmates would leave candy on my desk for when I returned to class the following day. Their kindnesses made me feel a part of their special event.
As I grew older, my parents’ beliefs began to change. It wasn’t until seventh grade that I experienced my first Beggars Night.
I remember that evening vividly. My cousin, brother, mom, aunt, and I were conversing in my aunt’s living room. Somehow we came to the conclusion that we would participate in Beggars Night that evening.
The kids were ecstatic, and the grins on our moms’ faces were top-notch! On the fly, my brother, cousin, and I cut holes in black trash bags and threw them over our heads. We colored our faces using purple marker then squealed “We’re purple grapes!” Excited, we begged for candy as puzzled onlookers tried to pinpoint our costumes.
I can still remember my cousin standing beneath a street light, puffs of condensation falling from her purple mouth. The air was cold, our spirits warm.
Every year thereafter, we would create costumes from clothing and items we had at home. One year my cousin and I were biker girls. We wore pleather jackets, thick eyeliner, dark lips, and tattooed ourselves with black sharpie.
A great perk of Beggars Night is getting a glimpse into the life of the candy giver. For most of my childhood, we lived in a farmhouse at the edge of town. Since we didn’t live in a typical neighborhood, my family and I would go trick-or-treating in whatever neighborhood sounded advantageous. Often we would drive to the wealthy neighborhoods because money meant large candy bars for us.
Wide-eyed, I remember being invited into a home made entirely of glass, or so it appears in my young mind’s eye. A woman with big blonde hair and a huge pink smile handed me a red bucket full of candy bars. I scanned the bucket then grabbed a Butterfinger. During another Beggars Night excursion, my cousin, brother, and I wandered into the candy giver’s foyer. Inside was a pond full of fish and a small bridge to walk across. The elderly homeowners allowed us to stand on the bridge and throw pennies into the pond. Afterward, we collected our massive candy bars and left with a surreal memory.
A Present Tale
As a mother to three dramatic, somewhat whimsical, and creative kids I have made it my job to celebrate Halloween with my children. I respect the holiday because it places value on pretend. Children love and need to pretend! Adults need play and fantasy! Beggars Night is a win-win for all!
Halloween represents facing fear. Rather than Halloween representing evil, I see Halloween as an invitation to sit with the uncomfortable, to get curious about our discomforts, and to ask questions as to why we are afraid.
During college, I took a children’s literature class. I remember the wise professor explaining that adults fear children listening to scary stories more than children fear the stories themselves. She stated that scary stories are a way for children to face their fears, head-on.
Scary stories aid children in exploring their unease in a completely safe context. Scary stories invite children into the life of a relatable character then show children through that character how one might take action steps in facing their worst thoughts, worries, or endeavors. As caregivers, we shouldn’t be afraid to discuss uncomfortable topics with our children, but rather allow them to explore such topics with us.
So, ra ra, Halloween!
Costume Appreciation
In light of my appreciation for Halloween, and for those that helped make Beggars Night special for me, I want to go down memory lane and share some stories behind a few of the fun costumes my children have worn over the years. Maybe it’ll help you get into the spirit for this coming Halloween!
Donald Trump
I’m starting down memory lane with some trepidation. Donald Trump is a source of controversy forever and always. Back in 2011, I knew Trump as the guy who hosted a television series called The Apprentice. I admit, I watched a few seasons thus my oldest daughter’s first-ever Halloween costume as a pink Donald Trump. My mother-in-law sewed the costume – tie and all – while I made the ‘You’re fired!’ badge. My now ten-year-old is a bit mortified that her first Halloween costume was of the Trump we know now. Memories!
Blossom and a Sloth
A few years ago, my middle child showed up to Halloween events as Blossom from The Power Puff Girls and my oldest went as a sloth. I remember having fun with my middle child finding Blossom’s dress at a second-hand store. My husband made sloth paws for my oldest using some old work gloves, duct tape, and magic marker. They turned out really cool and got lost in the kids’ dress-up bin after Halloween was over. My kids have always loved to apply their own make-up. Self expression has always been an important value in our family.
Captain Fantastic, an Angry Carrot, and Blood Sucking Creatures of the Night
After watching the movie Captain Fantastic with my oldest, they wanted to be Zaja. Zaja is wild and free, wearing dead animals as hats to keep them warm, suspenders to hold their pants, an animal tail around their bicep, and fur attached to their waist. This was a sweet costume to put together, although many passersby had no idea who my child was dressed as.
That same year my youngest wanted to dress as an Angry Carrot. Out of the blue he said ‘I would like to be an angry carrot.’ Using his sister’s orange leggings, an orange shirt of his own, a green beanie, and some eyeliner an Angry Carrot transformation took place.
The following year my youngest and oldest were bloodsuckers. A zombie and a werewolf!
Penny wise, an Angel, Beverly Marsh, and Maxine
Oh my! This is where I want to say To Each Their Own. Every family is different. Ours appreciates a good scare and the theatrics of horror. A couple of years ago my youngest child wanted to dress up like Pennywise. He looked awesome! I purchased white pajamas, red yarn, face paint, and orange hair spray then went to town creating a Pennywise look.
My oldest went begging for candy as Beverly Marsh from the movie “It.” They were another nondescript character marching to the beat of their own drum. My middle wore a white vintage velvet dress and pink hair looking like an ethereal angel among the “It” characters.
Each year a good friend of mine hosts a fabulous Halloween party. This particular year I had fun dressing as Maxine from “Russian Doll.” I found all of my clothing and accessories second-hand, then chopped a long wig short.
Miranda, Uncle Jim, Maya, Anna, Randy Meeks, and Sidney Prescott
In recent years I feel like our costumes are maturing. During COVID we decided not to trick or treat, but we still dressed up! My oldest dressed as Miranda and my youngest as Uncle Jim from “Haters Back Off.” My middle dressed as Maya Ishi-Peters and I was Anna Kone from “Pen15.” We used clothing from our own closest, old wigs, and regular make-up.
This year, my oldest child and I dressed up for my friend’s Halloween party. My child as Randy Meeks and myself as Sidney Prescott from the movie “Scream.” We had a blast getting ready and can’t wait for Beggars Night!
This year my middle child will be dressing as Tatum Riley, my little boy as Stu Macher, and my husband as Billy Loomis all from “Scream.” My cousin and her family will walk our neighborhood with us this year. My cousin’s dressing up as Gail Weathers, her husband as Dewy Riley, and their daughter as Ghostface. We’ve got more than half the cast of “Scream” showing up October 30!
Ask your kids what they want to be for Halloween. Help them to think outside of the box! Let them do their own make-up even. This holiday is all about freedom to express pretend and fantasy! Lean into the magic this season offers. You might actually find your stress levels drop and your face lights up more than usual.
