Day-Storms Studio

Tis the season?

Halloween at our house is cherished. We prep for it well in advance. To get an idea of how much we enjoy Halloween, a couple of years ago Spider-Man* requested a Halloween-themed birthday party.

1. Isn’t this the birthday theme requested by every toddler?
2. Do you know how difficult it is to find pumpkins in Florida in the beginning of August?

We had to get a little creative with other squash-related vegetables, order off-season Halloween decorations from Amazon, and break out some Scooby-Doo paraphernalia. Thank God for Scooby-Doo!

Picking the perfect costume

I am amazed how each boy’s different personality comes out in just picking out what they want to be for Halloween. First, this discussion usually starts at least a good four or five months beforehand… even though at this age, any costume selected in June would be too small by October.

Spider-Man* keeps his costume decision process fairly simple and straightforward: “Which superhero will I be this year?” There really is no other discussion. I thought perhaps he may veer into ‘pirate’ territory after wanting a pirate/Buccaneer birthday party this year–after all, we do live near Tampa Bay–but, alas, no, it was once again just waffling between one superhero or another. Ironically, not Spider-Man.

Bonecrusher*, on the other hand, must change his mind on a regular basis. He can run the gamut from inanimate objects to animals to superheroes. He could tell you he wants to be a Pan-Galactic Dolphin (thank you, Parry Gripp!) one day to the Incredible Hulk the next. We have learned not to buy or plan too far in advance costume-wise just in case he changes his mind again (and to make sure that the costume will fit).

Deck the halls…

Like many others, we also decorate for Halloween. We do not decorate the outside of the house too much. It is limited to a pumpkin on the door and three hanging ghost/ghouls named Horatio, Bernice, and Esteban who swing on our porch.

Inside the house is a different story. We hang lights, pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, streamers, and such. We have cobwebs with black spiders cascading in the front room and along my office. Plus, the boys have made decorations to hang. We have kept some from year to year, and they get a kick out of seeing what we have saved to put up from previous years.

Don’t forget the treats!

Of course, Halloween would not be the same without the access to holiday-specific candy and treats. We also usually bake or make special Halloween treats, too, with the boys. They like to decorate marshmallow monsters, so we usually make chocolate covered marshmallows decorated as monsters and ghouls at least once each year.

The Gateway

I also think that Halloween is special to us because it serves as a gateway to the other upcoming holidays and the season ahead. Shortly after we put away the Halloween decorations, it is time for Thanksgiving, a holiday with such meaning. That week we gather with family and loved ones to celebrate the Holidays. Then, we have Hanukkah and Christmas–times for reflection, serving, family, and, yes, giving.

Whatever your Halloween or Fall traditions are, we wish you peace, joy, fun, and may you get your favorite treat!