DeeDoo’s Digital Scrapbooking Blog

Trick-or-Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat! We NEVER said anything close to that when we went trick-or-treating. This was way back when kids were taught to be polite to their elders, and we knew better than to risk their goodwill by saying something ‘smart-alecky’ to them!

My mama made me a witch costume to wear for trick-or-treat the year I was eight. She sewed it on her Necchi and hemmed the edges of the skirt and cape by hand. She hand-stamped orange silhouettes of jack ‘o lanterns and scary cats all over the black cape, and found me the ugliest rubber witch mask in town to finish the disguise. (Yes, I really DID need a mask, brother of mine!). The witchy face had green skin, really yucky looking, and the twisted, gnarly nose was truly awesome. Hot. Lord, that mask was hot, even in the colder night temperatures in Illinois, where I grew up. The inside of that thing would collect moisture and begin to drip. Yuck!

My older brother, “James Dean”, had to take me around to the houses in our small town, asking for candy. He wasn’t happy about it. Being seven years older meant he was 15 and had much better things to do with HIS time, thank you very much! Can’t say I blame him one bit. But I’m glad he took me, because neither parent would have anything to do with the door-knocking ritual. I would collect all sorts of wondrous treats—popcorn balls, caramel apples, tootsie rolls (yes, they made them ‘back then’), brownies, taffy suckers, DoubleBubble gum, and more. Big brother didn’t help himself to any of my loot, bless his heart. I got to keep all of it for myself. In those days kids didn’t get much candy except at Halloween, Christmas, and Easter. For us, anyway, that was about it. So Halloween was pretty special. That candy bag lasted me for weeks afterward. What a hoard of goodies to treasure!

I was contemplating whether or not kids now, who have so many material things and broader experiences, will have fond memories of Halloween when they look back as adults. I think they will–if their parents and family make it fun and special by spending time with them, as my brother did with me, or by helping them to have a unique and fun experience, as my mother did by creating my special costume. There are many other ways to make this a special time, even for those who don’t trick-or-treat. Scarecrows and hay bales, cider and caramel corn aren’t just for Halloween, you know! They are part of Falloween, too! So, Happy Halloween and Happy Falloween to everyone! Make some memories together!