As a child in France, I never celebrated Halloween, as it wasn’t recognized there. Instead, we observed All Saints’ Day on November 1st, which is a solemn public holiday.
When I moved to the US 10 years ago and experienced Halloween here, I became captivated by its unique ambiance. I love the spirit of this holiday, although I don’t love the mass-produced costumes and decorations everywhere. To preserve the creative vibes of Halloween, I encourage my daughter to make her own costume.
I love Halloween in the US
Many French people view Halloween as an American consumerist gimmick, and I was one of them before moving here. However, the first time I witnessed skeletons clad in swimsuits hanging out with witches in a front yard, I was completely mesmerized. I had no idea that people could invest so much effort into decorating their house to create such a special atmosphere, a blend of spooky and playful.
I then discovered the Halloween parties, the haunted houses, and the excitement of trick-or-treat night. I realized that Halloween is a cheerful, family-oriented holiday, where adults join in the fun to maintain the tradition and create special memories for the children. It’s also a time of social connection that I have never experienced before.
I noticed people’s generosity: spending time and money decorating, giving children handfuls of candy, and even leaving buckets of sweets on their porch if they are not home. The experience is truly unmatched and magical, even for an adult like me.
I do feel it’s too commercialized sometimes
The first time I attended the trunk-or-treat event at my daughter’s school, an inflatable hot dog was walking around, followed by a banana. I was confused, as I thought Halloween was about wearing a scary costume, preferably homemade. Instead of witches and vampires, there were many identical Princess Annas and Spider-Man costumes. Most children were dressed in costumes straight off the shelf, and while I understand the convenience, I prefer costumes with a bit of imagination.
In my view, this trend was missing the true spirit of Halloween. For me, this holiday represents the perfect opportunity for self-expression and creativity.
My American friends nostalgically recall how, as kids, they would plan their costumes months in advance and create them. Buying a costume was not as common; creativity was valued. They also all have fond memories and entertaining stories about costume-related mishaps. I knew I wanted the same experience for my daughter.
My daughter creates her own costume
At 9 years old, my daughter can’t sew yet, so her costumes are made by combining clothes and accessories to resemble the characters she wants to portray. She may select one of my numerous black dresses, which is ideal for a witch, or any other item she discovers in the closet.
Clothes bought at the thrift store specifically for pretend play are also available to her. She takes charge of her makeup, which may not be perfect, but is always very creative. Her costumes over the years have included a princess, a vampire, and even a sorceress.
Each time, her costume is unique — even if other kids have similar ideas, her look is different, and I’m delighted that she puts in the effort to create something special that stands out from the rest. That’s her contribution to the magic of Halloween. She enjoys the process, and by the end of each summer, she eagerly looks forward to Halloween with sparkling eyes.
Americans definitely know how to celebrate Halloween. It’s hard not to embrace this tradition when living in the US, and I’m happy to be a part of it.
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