I started getting Family Fun Magazine a few months ago when it just randomly started coming in the mail. I like flipping through it, because every once in awhile I come across a really cute idea, interesting article, or fun recipe. For the most part, though, I find the magazine can be a little lame. This is unfortunate because it's a Disney magazine and I love all things Disney but... it is what it is. The Halloween issue, unfortunately, was no different.
The article I am referring to is titled, "Quick and Clever Costumes", but a more appropriate title would've been "Really-Quick-and-Lame-Costumes-That-Are-Going-To-Make-The-Other-Kids-Make-Fun-Of-Your-Kid". The article suggests some clever costumes that are super cool and super easy to make at home (as long as you have crayons, a glue stick, and no imagination).
My first question is: When would a parent have to "quickly" come up with their child's Halloween costume? As far as important holidays are concerned, Halloween ranks 3rd on any child's list, after Christmas and their birthday. In fact, most kids are already talking about what they are going to be for Halloween at Easter. Do some parents forget what day Halloween falls on? It's October 31 people... of every year. You have plenty of time to come up with a costume. Walmart has been advertising Halloween since July. Michaels and Hobby Lobby started back in April. And really, how much "quicker" is it for someone to pull out their art supplies and come up with a low-budget costume than to head over to the nearest Walmart and pick one up there? There is a Walmart every 2 miles... You want to be quick? Run to Walmart you procrastinators!
My second question is: Is money the issue? If so, then I can (kind of) be a little more sypathetic. I say "kind of" because, again, you've had a whole year to plan for this. But I get that everyone's circumstances are different so I'm not trying to be insensitive in this terrible economy. That being said, it actually pays to procrastinate at Halloween. If you go to your local Old Navy, Toys R Us, Target, or Walmart today (as in, the day before Halloween) costumes are already 75% off. You can even buy a Disney costume for less than $10 right now. Disney should have put in a plug for a Disney costume instead of suggesting such ridiculous costumes. Old Navy has some adorable costumes that are regularly priced $24 on sale for $6 right now. Please give up your Starbucks for one day and buy your kid a real costume!
Thirdly, if $6 is just not in the budget, then borrow a costume from a friend. If that is not an option, or you simply prefer to make it yourself, then go hard or go home. In other words, start working on that Halloween costume at the beginning of the month and not on Halloween morning. Your kids will thank you later. Put some diligent effort into the costume and make it look like some hard work and time was put into it. Please, for the love of ghouls, do not make any of the costumes I am about to show you. It is just bad parenting on all kinds of levels.
Here are a few of the worse...
In case you can't read that post-it note, it says, "EyePad". Really? How long did this take to make? Disney says, "This costume is quick, easy, and sure to get attention from tech-loving ghouls." It is definitely bound to get attention. Not sure it's the kind of attention any child wants, though.
"I'm All Ears" costume. Instructions to parents: Duct tape some home-made ears made out of foam to your child's clothes. This probably took longer to make than the first costume, but this one may actually be worse. Disney's description? "Your child will hear all the Halloween action in this quick, creative costume." What your child is going to hear is a bunch of laughter.. at his or her expense.
I get that facebook is all the rage... but give me a break. This is a lazy effort. This girl's parent should have just saved a couple of more minutes and made their kid's costume a-la-Jim-Halpert...
This is precisely what I was talking about when I said, "Go hard or go home." You want to make your kid's facebook costume? Then do it right...
Now that's a facebook costume! Seriously moms and dads, please don't be lazy. Halloween is a big deal for little kids. It's once a year. Put a little effort into it. You don't have to be rich to be creative. And big props to all the mommies and daddies who worked hard to put their kiddos' Halloween costumes together... purchased or home-made!
Okay that is all. Bye bye! And Happy Halloween!
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