Halloween isn’t just black and orange
There is nothing high tech about Halloween, unless you count looking for costume and décor inspiration on Pinterest.
This issue of City Parent is heavy on technology with features that examine the concept of tracking kids with GPS, the concern about the “technology tail” that follows us all and the pitfalls of streaming video. When so much of what we do has us online with devices in hand, a good old-fashioned tromp around the neighbourhood in the quest of treats is a welcome break. That is of course after all of those adorable images are posted in Instagram and Facebook.
If Halloween wasn’t such a consumer orgy, I’m sure it would have been banned by now. Sending kids out to wander the streets after dark to take candy from strangers doesn’t sound like a great idea. Neither does bringing a pillowcase full of unhealthy treats into the house. The act of trick-or-treating does get kids away from screens and electronic devices. It provides some exercise, a chance to practice their manners, meet their neighbours and challenge their parents’ costume creating (or purchasing) skills.
Most kids like to play dress up and Halloween gives license to donning a costume and pretending to be someone or something else. Except that those cute little costumes are often concealed beneath a winter coat or purchased several sizes too large in order to fit over the necessary layers. At least there’s a chance to show off a costume at school unless Halloween has been dressed down to a “black and orange” day.
The move away from Halloween costumes in the schools has been driven by a number of concerns. Inappropriate costumes are a contributor, the distraction created by costumed kids, along with the general craziness of the occasion fuelled by chocolate and sugar.
For many, Halloween is one of the best special occasions of the year and judging by the size of the new spooky décor, it’s getting bigger all the time. Even though the aisles of Halloween related merchandise have expanded over the years, the mainstay is the costume. Now that October has begun, it’s time to launch into costume discussions with your kids.
Once they are old enough to offer an opinion, you won’t get away with the puffy pumpkin outfit or fury bear suit passed down by your sister-in-law. Will you be able to purchase a costume to suit junior’s demands or will it be a home-made costume? My oldest son refused to wear the amazing robot costume that I made for him when he was six. I was offended and surprised that he wasn’t impressed by use of duct tape, silver paint, cardboard and for the arms, dryer venting. It even had a control panel.
I’m not sure what he wore but the result was the same. He wandered the neighbourhood, took candy from strangers, ate too much of it and stayed up too late. Happy Halloween.
