Getting into character
Our annual Halloween party took place at our farm over the weekend, and several of our friends were in attendance. We had a lumberjack, a hunter, a character from the popular Minecraft video game, God’s gift to men, a cowgirl, a princess, a bunch of grapes, Batgirl, Glenda the good witch, a cheerleader and several more.
When we first began hosting our fall gathering six or seven years ago, I went all out. (Read: Overboard. Seriously overboard.) I decorated the house. I decorated the yard. If I couldn’t find a specific thing, I made it or had my husband make it for me. There was a graveyard, flying ghosts and a fog machine.
Yep, I was that girl.
In addition, my husband and I usually coordinated our costumes – one year we were Caesar and Cleopatra, another a vampire and witch and a third we were the old couple in the American Gothic painting. (Okay, not a huge stretch on that one, but still.)
In the past few years, my husband has begun putting his foot down and declining to dress up. I flew solo as a Whoopie cushion three years ago, as I did last year when I dressed as static cling. Two years ago, my son stepped up for his dad and dressed as Luigi to my Super Mario.
Instead of a costume, Hubby started wearing a Halloween-themed T-shirt. He had a bright orange jack-o’-lantern last year and one this year that announced his disdain for costumes. It may be a slight cheat, but I let it count. He still goes with my decor.
Speaking of decor, I have tamed that down as well. After the first year or two, when the rain destroyed several pieces and the wind carried several more to the neighbor’s house, I have all but stopped decorating the yard. There is too much variation in the weather to even be certain that anyone will be outside. Besides, it’s already dark when people start to arrive.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the amusement I get from watching the kids run around and play together. Cousins and friends en masse run in and out of the house (they aren’t scared of any weather), believing they are actually what their costumes depict.
After one especially rousing round of tag, I overheard Batgirl say to her cheerleader sister, “I think this costume really has special powers. I know I couldn’t run this fast yesterday!”
All too soon, the clock approaches midnight and parents rush to get their children in their cars before all the little Cinderellas turn back into rags (or Mogwai turn into Gremlins, depending on your point of view on children).
I cleaned up the inside of the house and started the dishwasher before turning in for the night. Getting ready for bed was the easy part for me – my costume already contained pajamas – but left the outside cleanup for the next day.
It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter and the love of good friends and I look forward to the next opportunity to see them all again.