Guest post by Dana Verhoff
This year my daughter will celebrate her fifth Halloween. I can easily remember each costume she has worn. There was the blue cow, a hooded sleeper borrowed from a neighbor, and the lion, handed down from cousins in Missouri. My favorite was the year she dressed as a cowgirl. The little red shirt with white piping she worn was mine from childhood, a gift from my Grandma Tex. I wore it for my second Halloween. My sister wore it, and her daughter wore it. Someday, my youngest daughter will wear it, too. The photo that you see above is from last year. My oldest wore a dress and tiara from her princess collection (hand-me-downs and gifts) and shoes that still fit from Christmas. My youngest wore a pea costume borrowed from a neighbor. Ah, yes, the Princess and the Pea!
I can even remember a few costumes from my own childhood – Strawberry Shortcake, a gypsy, a magician, and a punk rocker. With one exception, all of those costumes were put together with borrowed things from closets in my house or the neighbors. The Strawberry Shortcake costume was store-bought because as a five year old, I insisted upon it. And, you know what? I hated that plastic smock and impossible-to-see-through mask, and both were ripped by the end of the night.
Yes, I’ve been thinking a lot about costumes lately.
And I’ve come to the conclusion that National Costume Swap Day™ is about showing our children a better way to celebrate! Because something as simple as a costume swap does make a difference.
Admittedly, swapping costumes is a shift in the way kids think; it has become the norm to decide what you “want to be” and then head to the nearest box store and buy a new costume. In contrast, a swap offers children the chance to make a decision with an open-mind and possibilities laid out before them! Dare I say it may even be reminiscent of those times you raided your parent’s closet to put together a costume … you know, back in the day!
Here’s the bottom line: Halloween has become a holiday filled with traditions that are unhealthy for our children and our planet. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to serve as role models. Participating in a costume swap not only encourages celebrating in a way that is healthier and more earth-conscience, but it also empowers our children to think about how small changes can have a big impact. All while still having fun!
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Dana and her partner, Diana, publish family-friendly website, Macaroni Kid Snoqualmie Valley-Issaquah. On the morning of October 8th, they will be hosting swaps in North Bend at Totz and at Small Threads in Issaquah. Both are looking forward to bringing the community together, showing our children a better way to celebrate, and swapping with all of you!
Will be be hosting or attending a costume swap this year? If so, what are you swapping and what costumes do your kids hope to find in exchange?
