I’ve always loved Halloween. As a kid, it was so fun to dress up and get free candy. My sister and I would agonize over our costumes weeks before the actual day. Back then costumes were most often homemade. Of course, we were the usual ghosts and witches, but I was also a “hobo,” complete with corn cob pipe, one year. Another year, a cowgirl.
I remember our mom meticulously painting our faces with her makeup, and doing up our hair, perhaps spraying it with wash-out color. The one item we usually got to buy was our cute little trick-or-treat container. We never used pillowcases, although my husband said that was his bag of choice; because it was big.
Daylight Savings Time usually kicked in right before Halloween, ensuring that we would be trekking through the neighborhood in the dark. One of our parents would carry a flashlight, the light bobbing and weaving with every step, adding to the spooky atmosphere. We would always have to wait until six o’clock sharp, after eating a nourishing meal that would counteract all the junk we would later consume. At least, that was my mom’s reasoning.
I remember our mom meticulously painting our faces with her makeup, and doing up our hair, perhaps spraying it with wash-out color. The one item we usually got to buy was our cute little trick-or-treat container. We never used pillowcases, although my husband said that was his bag of choice; because it was big.
Daylight Savings Time usually kicked in right before Halloween, ensuring that we would be trekking through the neighborhood in the dark. One of our parents would carry a flashlight, the light bobbing and weaving with every step, adding to the spooky atmosphere. We would always have to wait until six o’clock sharp, after eating a nourishing meal that would counteract all the junk we would later consume. At least, that was my mom’s reasoning.
Once we set forth at the proper time, usually we would meet up with friends and their parents. That’s when the real fun began. We’d run breathless from house to house, seeing who could get to the porch and doorbell first. I can still hear my mom cautioning, “Slow down, Cathy Anne, before you trip and fall.”
As soon as we got our candy, we’d chorus our “Thank yous,” before racing off to the next house. If we forgot, or our parents didn’t hear us, we would be forced to back track and say the two all-important words before moving on. It was all part of the ritual.
I can’t remember how long we trick-or-treated. An hour? Maybe more, as we got older? I’m pretty sure we were back at our house by 7:30. We’d be panting, our hair would be askew, and usually at least one of our costumes sustained minor damage, like a rip or a tear. That didn’t diminish the glory of the evening one bit. We’d become treasure seekers for an hour, and now it was time to examine our haul.
As soon as we got our candy, we’d chorus our “Thank yous,” before racing off to the next house. If we forgot, or our parents didn’t hear us, we would be forced to back track and say the two all-important words before moving on. It was all part of the ritual.
I can’t remember how long we trick-or-treated. An hour? Maybe more, as we got older? I’m pretty sure we were back at our house by 7:30. We’d be panting, our hair would be askew, and usually at least one of our costumes sustained minor damage, like a rip or a tear. That didn’t diminish the glory of the evening one bit. We’d become treasure seekers for an hour, and now it was time to examine our haul.
While my dad went to his easy chair and the nightly news, my mom would spread towels out on the table and we would pour our candy on to them. Any opened or homemade treats got thrown out, much to our chagrin. Apples, oranges and other nutritional items got pawned off on our dad, who preferred those to the candies (he did have a grand sweet tooth, too).
My sister and I became great negotiators at the Halloween table. She liked nuts; I didn’t. I would trade Snickers bars for Milky Ways, because she wasn’t a fan of caramel. She liked peanut M and M’s, so she would trade me some of her plain M and M’s for the peanut variety. However, Musketeers were our favorites. We’d count them out and taunt each other with the number of how many we got.
Trick-or-treating is a highlight to any kid’s childhood. Choosing a costume, or making it, brings out the creativity in children, as well as decision-making skills and family quality time. I have so many fond memories of Halloween spent with my family, friends, and cousins. When I had my own children, I tried to repeat the fun I experienced in my past.
My sister and I became great negotiators at the Halloween table. She liked nuts; I didn’t. I would trade Snickers bars for Milky Ways, because she wasn’t a fan of caramel. She liked peanut M and M’s, so she would trade me some of her plain M and M’s for the peanut variety. However, Musketeers were our favorites. We’d count them out and taunt each other with the number of how many we got.
Trick-or-treating is a highlight to any kid’s childhood. Choosing a costume, or making it, brings out the creativity in children, as well as decision-making skills and family quality time. I have so many fond memories of Halloween spent with my family, friends, and cousins. When I had my own children, I tried to repeat the fun I experienced in my past.
My sons, grown now, still enjoy decorating for Halloween, going to parties, or staying home and handing out candy. They often tell me the next day, “You should have seen the costume I saw last night.” And then they go into a description, reminding me of myself at their age. And I realize that I accomplished the goal I set way back when they first learned to say “Trick-or-Treat.” I’ve taught them to enjoy each moment of their life, whether it’s a major accomplishment, or simply the cutest little fairy princess with missing teeth and crooked wings, saying “thank you” as they drop a candy into her sack.
Do you have a favorite costume, or Halloween tradition, you remember? I’d love to hear about it!
Do you have a favorite costume, or Halloween tradition, you remember? I’d love to hear about it!
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