So I believe there are basically two types of Mom's in this world, those who make their kid's Halloween costumes, and those that don't. OK, that may be an over-generalization... I didn't leave room for people like me that aspire to make darling Rainbow Bright and Dalmatian costumes, but sent my kids last year as Spiderman (store bought and borrowed from a friend) and a clown (a bargain from the DI with a little homemade embellishment). (As a side note, the reason I mentioned Rainbow Bright is because in the early 90's there was some sort of play in Rexburg that every 5th grade girl was involved in. Every girl had a great Rainbow Bright costume that involved foam tubing and bright striped material. For the 15 years since you always see one or two tattered Rainbow Brights trick-or-treating in Rexburg, can anyone back me up on this?)
You see, I grew up in the day before store bought Halloween costumes were a big market (at least that is what I remember. It is a possibility that store bought costumes for all 8 kids in my family was just not an option). I remember my Mom making great costumes for us when we were little. When we were 3 and 4 my brother Zach and I went as Santa and Mrs. Claus. We even won some sort of prize at the Archer School carnival. A few years later, my Mom made a mermaid costume for me complete with a shimmering tail. The only problem was I could not walk in it so I had to be carried door to door to trick or treat, darling nonetheless. One year my brother Luke was the singing Moon from the McDonald's commercial (Does anyone remember that commercial? He would sing "When the clock strikes, half past six Babe, time to head for Golden Lights! It's a Good time, for a great taste. Dinner. at McDonald's is Mac Tonight. Come on make it Mac tonight, yeah!)
I feel lucky to be on the first end of the 8 kids in my family - after a few years, and a few more costumes that had to made, my Mom's enthusiasm seemed to wain (with good reason, she had 8 kids, I would be lucky if they were all dressed and fed everyday). I remember one year my sibling went as a banana at the last minute (a slip-and-slide wrapped around them with a green hat, creative). One year my little brother Wyatt was Static Man ( a creative way of using the 1000s of mismatched socks we had at home. She safety pinned all the socks to his clothing with a cape that said Static Man).
You see, since I only have 2 kids, I feel some sense of obligation to use a glue gun, shimmering satin, and lots of yarn at Halloween time. My problem is that my skills have the possibility of leaving my children looking a little homely and old fashioned next to their Power Ranger and Cinderella counterparts. It is an internal struggle for me.
So I am curious about your thoughts on the subject.
Do you make costumes? Do you buy them?
Do you feel any sort of duty, obligation, or guilt?
What are your kids going to be this year?
