Thursday 29 October 2009

Halloween - the run-up

As you're probably aware, Halloween in the States is a big thing. Even for people who don't have kids, they either decorate their houses, send cards or go to a party with a laundry basket round their waist and "washing" dripping over the sides of it. If you have kids, it's all about them and gives you a great excuse not to dress up. OK last year I wore a bright orange silk scarf for a few days just to show willing.

As usual, we've had the "costume" decision-making, which went around the galaxy and back with the Little Guy unable to decide between one of the Darths and that guy from Toy Story. I was having a bit of a panic about being able to make one of these, when he announced that he wanted to "buy it this time". I was about to be mortally offended, but I got over that in about three seconds and whisked him off to buy a marvellously nylon Bobba Fett or somebody. OK he's done.

Mr. Minimal, being a cool teenager these days, decided against a real costume but is going to wander round in a black cape. Hmmm. He then went out and bought himself a plain white face mask and is going to paint an expression on it. Another hmmm. I just hope he remembers they won't let them wear face masks in school - in case they fall down the stairs or something. And let's face it, they have a point. If he falls down the stairs, he'll take out about 6 first graders with him.

Queenager wants to be Tinkerbell. "Ah - here's something I can make", I thought. No pattern, but enough sewing nowse to attempt it. (What's that they say? "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"?) Bought two yards of some bright green sparkly material and thought. And thought.

First "debate" was "youre not wearing a strapless mini-dress with petals on, to school". Then I remembered all those strapless gowns I made in the 80's,, with the requisite boning. I have one day to make this thing and boning takes about three weeks. Besides, see above re the strapless dress. I found a dress in her closet which fits her, and attempted to do that thing where you replicate each piece and then sew them back together. Too complicated. Have ended up making a bodice out of two pieces and pinning it on to her. She seems quite pleased so far. Trouble is, she's at school all day today and out tonight, and the school Halloween parade is tomorrow. I'll have to turn into one of those gifted seamstresses and make the dress without her. Or hope someone doesn't look too closely at the construction.

Meanwhile, the Little Guy couldn't wait for the real Halloween to come around so has gone to school looking like a piece of mouldy cheese today:


Bless!

.

19 comments:

  1. yep, Halloween started early here too. I did the ebay thing for one costume(daughter #1 has been begging for this costume for 2 years and I finally found one that fits), daughter #2 wanted to be Lola from the BBC series Charlie & Lola which was great because DD#1 was that 2 years ago and I already had the costume(handmade of course, who sells C&L costumes? noone!) So far DD#1 has worn her costume to one neighbourhood event, a grocery store party, her gymnastics team party, and school! She has two more parties and then finally wears it again on the actual day. Talk about getting your moneys worth out of a costume, wish I could say the same about my wedding dress...hmmm, I should have kept it so I could wear it on Halloween...seeing that it's about 6 sizes too small...now that would really terrify the natives!

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  2. No Halloween here I miss it but glad not to deal with teenage costume issues.

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  3. The Doctor is really worried that we are supposed to dress up too (for our neighbours' Halloween party). I have told him not to worry, we are Brits and therefore can get away with not knowing the rules!

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  4. OH bless - I remember Trick or treating when we lived in Canada. It was fantastic. I remember going round as an Octopus for days before.

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  5. Please tell me you are joking about the Halloween CARDS? Gordon Bennett.

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  6. dont know why l'm thinking green eggs and ham...

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  7. I don't do anything for Halloween. I batten down the hatches & hope no one throws an egg at the window. If they do no doubt the fox will get it!

    Nuts in May

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  8. ahhh yes....the anticipation of Halloween, young kids and sprayable hair dye...must find and burn pictures... :-)

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  9. one of the joys of living in the country now, is that we'll not have the usual 100 kids ringing the doorbell in less than an hour, we don't expect any kids at this house...

    Gill in Canada

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  10. Just Don't Get Halloween. Mercifully my two (13 and 10) have just about grown out of it.

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  11. Like you, I'm gearing up for it. Just dug the Count Dracula outfit out of the cupboard for my Little Guy and have dusted off my orange pointy hat. The girls will no doubt announce that they have to be at a party at the last minute and expect me to fit driving into the already packed schedule. And where's the Handy Husband in all this? Why in Florida ofcourse!

    Good luck!!

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  12. Candy FLoss!!! He looks like CANDY FLOSS!!! Moldy cheese indeed! Have a great Hallow'een!
    Sandi

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  13. What a great mum you are! I was totally lazy and dressed them up in bought costumes.

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  14. Ah yes I remember boning in 1980s dresses. I used to make all my own clothes. You're very dedicated. I quite like living soemwhere at the momentwhere they don't celebrate all these pseudo festivals. As a mum it's exhausting.

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  15. An orange silk scarf? Just make sure this year you are not going OTT again.

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  16. I do miss the States at Halloween, but then again... Ive never been a mom/mum while living in the States so perhaos I wouldnt do well with Halloween--I go into a panic if there's a school production with the possibility of a homemade costume! I could cope with an orange scarf for a few days (my complexion would scream 'WRONG! Take it OFF!'.

    Have fun tomorrow!

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  17. Halloween is really starting to catch on here. We had more than 150 trick or treaters in our small Thames Valley town! I even put on an old cheerleader sweater (the skirt, erm, was a bit tight, and the pleats in the back barely covered my bottom so I wore jeans instead!)

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  18. Modern - Did no one ask why you were dressed like that? Usually in the UK the costumes are scary.

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  19. Nice hair! And I like the skull in the background.

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