This year we made a new Halloween tradition. As traditions go, this one was born from necessity and not forced. Every night we have raw spinach salad, usually rice or potatoes and some sort of meat… we were out of everything. So I made breakfast for dinner. And it was yummy and fun and different (for us). And that’s all it takes to make kiddos happy. Tess kept putting bacon on her head. She is a ham… pun intended.
Then we be bopped on over to the Pumpkin City pumpkin patch with Push Cakes in hand. YUM!!! We got our pumpkins for a deal. YAY!
(I love everything about this picture. Everything. Ev-ery-thing.)
We all dress up for Halloween, and I love putting together a family costume theme. Unfortunately, the big kids get to pick their own thing (darn free choice) and my plan of Fred and Wilma and Pebbles and Bam Bam for the littlest was just too pricey. I don’t mind spending a little bit of money for the big kids (ninja and Cinderella) because they use their costumes all year long for dress-up, but the littles grow out of theirs in what feels like just a few weeks.
Days before Halloween I was browsing Party City for ideas and came across a baby Darth Vader costume for $10. Tess. Done. The I came across some adorable skull and crossbones suspenders. Cy = punk rock greaser. Done. Then a skin colored tee that makes the wearer look like they are covered in tattoos. Hubby as a bad boy? Yes, please. But I couldn’t find anything I liked for me that was cheapie cheap cheap cheap. When I got home I took a quick assessment of what we had around the house and I had had the best idea. Where’s Waldo!! We have loads of big black glasses from our Fedorable shoot and I just added a bit of flare to a white beanie and spray painted stripes onto an old shirt. Done. And for free!
So our family couldn’t have been more random. Tattooed man ($15). Where’s Waldo (free). Ninja ($20). Cinderella ($15). Punk rock greaser ($7). Darth Vader ($10) and I love it!
To make Where’s Waldo. Dig an old white shirt out of your closet (you know the one with the deodorant stains…) tape stripes with painter’s tape then spray the heck out of it! Cut strips of red felt then safety pin around a white beanie and bunch up thin red strips and safety pin to the top of the beanie (or make a yarn pom pom or use a pre made craft pom pom).
I really enjoy Halloween. I think it’s a lot of fun to come up with clever costume ideas and I love getting creative to bring ideas to life. I know people can get a little touchy (understatement) about the holiday. But I think Christians have failed their communities by not celebrating or by doing “safe alternatives.” It’s no surprise to me that Halloween has become so evil as Christians have completely removed their presence in their own communities. Halloween is the ONLY holiday that requires you to visit your neighbors. You know, those people who live 30 feet from you, who you’ve only waved at once. Hell-o outreach!! What if Christians gave out the best candy? Maybe with a lil’ invite you your Sunday service attached. What if Christians opened up their garages and served warm chili to trick-or-treating parents? Hot apple cider for Jesus, yo! I’ve had awesome Christian friends tell me they just go out to a movie or growing up they would shut off all the lights and hide from trick-or-treaters. I believe that’s what the enemy wants you to do. A major victory for Satan. Stop stepping back and start stepping in. Into the battle. Turn on your lights, literally and figuratively for the LORD. Be present in the home God has placed you. Be present for that one person who might need your encouragement that night. Be present to strangers your neighbors. Halloween would be different. Could be different.
(side note: Halloween is also a great time to teach your children the truth about death, demons and ghosts.)
Other great costumes of the evening…. (yep, we’ve got some crazy-awesome aunties around here!!!)
And I have another lil’ guest post over at According to Kelly. I’ll post it here soon too! And below is how to enter her great giveaway!!
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Amy DeLong says
great costumes,halloween is our favorite time of year
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
clynsg says
Regarding your giveaway, probably couldn’t use the paint and stencils much, but the gift card would be VERY useful.
Kirsten says
I wasn’t sure what you wanted for a blog comment. 🙂 Love the costumes and your take on Halloween. I am not religious but I love how you have looked at the other way to see Halloween…impressive.
Pauline M says
I always have a good laugh when a guy dresses up as a girl!
Beverly Metcalf says
Love the costumes. Looks like everyone had fun on Halloween. Thanks for the contest!
Melanie says
I love that Halloween gets us out on the street talking to our neighbors! I am a huge Halloween fan. 🙂
Sarah Hirsch says
great costumes!
Sarah L says
Thanks for the contest.
Betty Palmer says
Halloween is a time one really enjoys or dislikes. I have had a hard time with Halloween all my life. This year (as always ) I sat on the porch and handed out treats and stuffed teddy bears for the “shoe boxes” at Church. I have lived here so long and know my neighbors so that was not an issue for me. We had many cars dropping of kids that I never saw before and they were welcomed to my treat bowl. I find no reference to Holloween in the Scriptures, I could be wrong but, I am right in the fact that everyone has the right to their opinion, traditions, likes and dislikes. My children all dressed up and celebrated Holloween for what it was worth — candy! And some time a party, Suzie had a birthday party since her bd is only a few days from Halloween, so you see I will tolerate Holloween.
OCGardenJen says
So totally agree! Let our lights shine wherever we are…and I never put it together that it really is the only holiday that makes us visit our neighbors. This year we had a very large group discussing a portrait of Jesus that was displayed at our neighbors home. Great to see Christianity discussed openly on Halloween night! Don’t think Demons liked that conversation!
Then of course for our family we celebrate November 1st with All Souls Day remembering our loved ones, I think that should be emphasized more than it is now.