In Support of a Simple, Stress-Free Halloween

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By: Lily Thompson
Updated: Aug. 19, 2020
Originally Published: Oct. 28, 2015

Halloween has always held a special place in my heart. The costumes, trick-or-treating, carved pumpkins, and all the spooky creatures—what’s not to love? As a child, Halloween was pure magic. It was a break from the usual school routine, a chance to roam the neighborhood at dusk with friends, and to immerse myself in a world of make-believe, even as I grew older and left behind some of that imaginative play.

After high school, Halloween took a back seat for a while. But once I became a parent, I was excited to dive back into the festivities with my kids. Celebrating Halloween with little ones was a breeze. I’d grab a quick costume from the drug store, get them to say “Trick-or-treat!” and “Thank you!” and hope they wouldn’t have a meltdown over candy limits.

However, as my children have grown, the pressure surrounding Halloween has ramped up. What costume will they pick? What if they choose something outlandish and face teasing? Will they be comfortable in their outfits? How can we afford those extravagant costumes? Even the simplest ideas I find on Pinterest can send my heart racing!

What is it about our generation that creates this constant need for perfection? Are we measuring ourselves against other parents or some idealized version of what Halloween should look like? I often wonder where this pressure stems from, even for something as seemingly trivial as Halloween costumes.

When I reflect on my own childhood, Halloween was so straightforward. I don’t remember every costume, but a few stand out. In first grade, I was a ghost—my mom simply cut eye holes in a sheet and off I went, joining the neighborhood kids without any adult supervision. The following year, I was a princess, adorned not with a fancy dress but just a tiara and my own sparkly shoes. I felt like royalty!

As I grew older, my friends and I crafted our own costumes. One year, we decided to be punk rockers, and our parents provided the colored hairspray. We made a mess of our hair and clothes, and I distinctly remember the hairspray smell, the urge to pee, and balancing a bag of candy while trying not to burst!

Last Halloween, my son Max wanted to be Herobrine from Minecraft, the character’s evil doppelgänger. Well-meaning friends suggested I create a cardboard box head with online printouts, but Max was not thrilled with that plan. He wanted it to look just right. His enthusiasm was contagious, but it left me worried about the commodification of Halloween costumes. It seems like kids today feel the need for costumes that mirror the characters exactly.

We eventually bought him the Minecraft box-head for $15, and he used his birthday money to get a diamond sword. I was nervous about how he’d coordinate everything, but he was surprisingly okay with wearing his regular clothes, which were similar enough.

On Halloween, however, we faced a hiccup. The box-head didn’t fit quite right, and we had to improvise a solution. I felt terrible, thinking I had let him down. As he sat on the curb, upset, I recalled my own Halloween mishaps. I told him it would be fine, and he could wear the box-head for a little while and then take it off if it bothered him.

Eventually, things started to calm down. He held the box-head as we walked from house to house, and when it was time to ring the bell, he donned it again, proudly wielding his sword. He was the cutest Herobrine ever! When we got home, he selected just a few pieces of candy and even shared some wisdom about restraint with his younger brother. He then carefully put his costume away, telling me it was the best Halloween ever.

Halloween doesn’t have to be a pressure-filled event. It can be about the memories we create, even amidst the chaos. For more ideas on how to navigate parenting challenges, check out this insightful post on intracervical insemination. And if you’re looking for reliable resources on home insemination, Progyny is a fantastic option.

As we approach the next Halloween, let’s remember to keep it simple and stress-free. After all, it’s the joy of the experience that truly matters!

Summary:

This article reflects on the evolution of Halloween celebrations and the pressures that come with parenting during this festive season. It shares personal anecdotes about how Halloween used to be simple and enjoyable, contrasting it with the complexities of modern-day celebrations. Ultimately, it encourages parents to embrace a low-key approach, focusing on the fun and memories rather than perfection.