Being a North American parent comes with a few requirements, like the ability to make PB&J sandwiches (yet comply with “peanut-free” areas when necessary) or the skills to plan ahead for major holidays. I mean, it’s not like I didn’t know Halloween was coming up—for the past few weeks, I’ve been walking past plastic limbs in backyards and skeletons hung in trees. Yes, people take Halloween seriously here.
But I was sick all week and I didn’t have the time to find a costume for Mark. And trust me, finding a costume for a toddler isn’t as easy as it seems. The made-in-China one-size-fits-all kind can be pricey, and many costumes are for older kids and can be very scary or gory. Besides, this is Canada, and we already need a winter jacket to wear over the costumes anyway.
I decided to use last year’s pirate hat, and we found a few props at Dollarama.
I’m not sure what Mark understands about Halloween and trick-or-treating, but I sold it to him as “we go ring at doors, ask for a candy, say thank you and repeat”. He seemed fine with that and had a lot of fun.
A few houses in my mother-in-law’s neighbourhood (where we spent the evening) had extremely elaborated decorations complete with smoke, sounds and props, and Mark was a bit scared, which I found was a healthy reaction. He still went and asked for candies, though!
The few years we were living in Germany my mom would make costumes large enough to fit over coats or snow suits. As an adult that seems rather strange to put a costume over a coat, but if it’s cold it’s the best solution to keep warm and have your costume be seen.
Yes, I approve your mom’s common sense!
I grew up in Northeast Ohio, and 9 times out of 10, our costumes needed to fit over a heavy jacket or coat and be prepared for rain. Mark looks really cute as a pirate, and it’s good that nothing freaked him out too much. At one house in my neighborhood, someone jumped out of a coffin, and I freaked. The person than proceeded to follow me down their driveway. I was probably about 5 or so, and it traumatized me for years after. I was terrified of that area of the neighborhood on Halloween.
No wonder you got scared, I would have too! The story goes, in my family, I kept on asking to visit the haunted house at the fair. One time, my uncle took me… and I screamed, cried and got very scared. I think I remember someone jumping on me. Anyway, my uncle is still laughing about it.
That shark costume!
I love how festive some people get for holidays in North America.
I totally agree. It’s amazing to see people really getting into the spirit! French are too grumpy for that.
Aarg pirate!!
Halloween is not my favorite holiday but i like to see everyone in their costumes.
Same here. I think it’s hard to adopt it later when you didn’t grow up with the tradition.