I'm not going to dress up. I'm just not into Halloween. As a kid, I dutifully went trick or treating, because that's just what we did. I'm sure I had fun, but I was never super-excited about it. I had some cool costumes on occasion. I think my mom was probably more excited about it than I was. I don't have a sweet tooth, so collecting candy was never a big deal. Plus in the 80s there were all those scary stories of people putting razorblades and drugs in the candy so it put a damper on things in my overly cautious little kid mind.
The other thing? I am a ridiculous scaredy cat. I startle easily, can't watch horror movies or I will have nightmares for days, and hate gore. In fact, even on Grey's Anatomy there are scenes I can't watch because they gross me out. So haunted houses are more stressful than fun for me.
I know, I'm no fun, right? But so far, I can dig the toddler version of Halloween. She's just excited about her ladybug costume. T decided her baby sister should be a ladybug, too, so I found a cute swaddle blanket and hat combo that'll work and hopefully won't make BabyM uncomfortable.
We haven't really clued her into the candy thing, since she's got a ridiculous sweet tooth already. She's not sure she wants to go trick or treating, so we'll try it and may end up coming home early.
T decorated pumpkins with paint and glitter. And of course, we'll visit the pumpkin farm again. Now those are Halloween activities I can be excited about.
What about you? Love or hate Halloween? Got any fun traditions?
I haven't been much for costumes, but last year the kids were all plants vs. zombies stuff so David put a pot on his head (there's a character who does that), and I made a sunflower headband for me. What I realized is that while *I* don't care that much for dressing up, the kids *love* to see David and I in costume.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has a "pirate party" each year in early October, and this year when Henry saw David and I dressed as pirates, he just couldn't stop laughing. We've had a busy October so I don't have costumes for the kids or me & David yet, but I'm going to try to pull something together - it does make for a fun family picture and the kids really enjoy it.
that's an excellent point about kids loving to see you guys dressed up. and taking a family picture is pretty awesome, too. hmm, i'll have to reconsider the costume thing for next year :)
DeleteI like Halloween, but it's not a big deal at our house, except for the trick or treating. Minimal decorations and a thrown together costume for my youngest and we're done. I DO love the candy!
ReplyDeleteyay for assembled costume!
DeleteWe don't celebrate Halloween in New Zealand. There is a bit more hoopla here in Singapore but I am not that excited about it. Miss 2 going on 12 really wants to dress up. She is happy with her recently acquired Cinderella dress or her Red Riding Hood cape so no effort required by this Mummy.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about this and was going to post on the SC board to find out if it's just an American thing. Awesome for no-effort costumes :)
DeleteI wasn't that into it. I did like the candy part although sometimes we got stuff like pennies and walnuts. Boo. My son stopped ToT when he was 7. (He's 18.) He said that I could save by not getting a costume and just buy him one Peanut butter cup, LOL. He doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. Must have gotten that from his dad.
ReplyDeleteHeh. I was telling my husband that sometimes we got pencils for ToTing, and he was horrified by that :D I rather liked getting stuff like pencils and stickers. The only candy I saved were the PB cups too :)
DeleteI'm in South Africa and something that really is getting to me is how American we are getting. I love things US and I love things other country but I want those things to remain in those countries so we continue to retain our SA flavour :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been increasing a lot the last couple of years.
Wow, interesting. I was curious about what other countries actually celebrate Halloween. I'd say if you're going to import something American, Halloween would be pretty low on my list :D
DeleteLOL! I'm with you on the scary movies and as my kids get older, the less Halloween "spirit" is in the house. But I do love seeing the cute tricker treaters come to the door :)
ReplyDeleteActually, that's a good point. That *is* one of the things I loved about living in a "family" neighborhood about 10 years ago. TONS of tiny ToTers - so cute! And I felt so grown up being the one handing out candy (I was in my 20s then!).
DeleteBut sadly, now, our house is on a street where nearly all the kids are grown. It's also a steep hill and pretty dark, so not a popular destination for ToTers. We've lived here 8 years and had maybe 2 ToTers total. I have high hopes this year, since they built a bunch of new houses nearby and all of them have little kids.
I get excited about it because of my kids. I don't get into really scary costumes. My daughter likes princesses and girly things. My son always likes video game characters. I think they just have fun dressing up.
ReplyDeleteYeah, little kids love dressing up. I'm all for that, just not the candy and the scary stuff :)
DeleteI like the cutesy fun aspects of Halloween-dressing my boys up as Superheroes and getting candy. I really really dislike the scary stuff-especially since the TV networks are showing commercials earlier in the evening when my little ones are still awake-during things they like to watch like football games. I have to be pretty quick with the remote. :/
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. Even on YouTube, where my toddler watches Pocoyo and Sesame Street, the ads are often very kid-inappropriate. :(
DeleteHalloween happens to be one of my favorite holidays. I love the orange, purple and black colors and love decorating the house. Plus, since I was like 10 my dad and I carved pumpkins. It was our little tradition. To this day I have an annual pumpkin carving party. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThough as for being scared...not a fan.
Awesome! I love that you decorate your house. I am way, way too lazy. Except for Christmas. I love me some Christmas.
DeleteHalloween is always a fun holiday in our house, we decorate and the kids get dressed up, we usually have a party but we aren't this year, and we make treat bags for all the kids classmates and friends. I enjoy getting a little scared :)
ReplyDeleteDoes your kids' school have a Halloween party where they exchange treat bags and stuff? That sounds like it might be fun to make (esp if the kids are involved in helping!). I'm all for crafty stuff.
DeleteI enjoy decorating the house. Also enjoyed making costumes for my girls when they were younger.
ReplyDeleteAs for the candy.....I still love the sweets, teehee.
And scary movies....Love them all year round ;)
I am sure there are other holidays you enjoy though.
Oh, absolutely! I love christmas/new year's day the most, I think.
DeleteI HATE Halloween. Hate it. Really it is the costumes. I hate dressing up. Now that I'm a mom I hate, I mean despise all the candy. What to do with all of it? A piece a day? The candy fairy? The constant asking for it, talking about it, thinking about it is exhausting! The sad part in all of this is that it is my oldest daughter's favorite holiday. She started talking about it on Sept. 1. Not joking. Everyday since she has continued the conversation. My husband and I realized we had to have a party this year, really no way we could put her off any longer. Whew. What a rant. Sorry. Design Mom has a great video full of costume ideas for the costume averse. It is very helpful. Good luck. I for one can't wait until Nov. 1.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'll have to check out the Design Mom post. And I'm surprised that someone as crafty as you hates the costume part (and I feel relieved, too!) :)
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