Through the Kitchen Window

My kids are all grown up now and Hallowe’en hardly holds the same cachet that it once did around our house. It’s a shame really. I never was (still am not) a very arty crafty sort of mom but I did manage to come up with some neat costume ideas over the years. OK . . . who do I think I’m kidding?? Some ideas were better than others.

I thought I’d indulge myself in a little stroll down memory lane this month and perhaps in the process, give you a few ideas as well.

I’m no Suzie Homemaker though, so there were many times my kids wore K-Mart specials. Plastic Batman, Spiderman and vampire outfits to name but a few. Nothing wrong with that though. Truth be told, the kids probably enjoyed being their favourite super hero or villain better than some of the stuff mom dreamed up. I was always on the look out for alternate sources of costumes. Since I don’t sew, it always made me feel better if I could at least be semi-creative.

If you’re willing to do a little research, there are a lot of different and unusual sources in your community. Look to your local skating club, dance school or summer theatre groups. They invariably put on year end performances and recitals that require costumes. Many times, they’ll hold costume sales in order to raise money for still more new costumes. Over the years as my children were growing up, these places were great sources of Hallowe’en finery. At sales like these we found cowboys and Indians, princes, princesses and gypsies, but also bumblebees, spiders, butterflies, trees, sheep, cows and our all time favourites a hamburger, a box of fries, a pizza slice and all sorts of other wild and different things.

And don’t overlook your basement. Large boxes can be gift wrapped and beribboned for a walking gift. Paint them white and add black dots for a die. Turn a box into a television set and make your child a TV star. Or make it a PC monitor or a box of cereal. The possibilities are only limited by yours and your children’s imaginations.

One of my favourite ideas, though not as popular with my kids (go figure!!) was to cut two holes into the bottom of an extra large green garbage bag (for their legs), have them step into it so that the open end is around their neck, fill it with crumpled newspaper and presto!! It’s an instant bag of garbage. Or use a clear bag and fill it with empty recyclable containers. You get the idea. And I better quit while I’m ahead -- if I even am ahead at this point. I can hear my kids cringing and groaning. For some unfathomable reason, they were never quite as enthusiastic about my costume ideas as I was.

What your kids are sure to love though, are these ghoulie treats. Have fun making them together and watch how quickly they disappear.

That’s it for another month. Have a happy and safe Hallowe’en and we’ll see you back here next month.

And remember these important words from Miss Piggy, “Never eat more than you can lift.”

TTFN!!