6 Ways to Do Or Don't Halloween

6 Ways to Do or Don't Halloween:

Happy Halloween! "What's so "happy" about it?" you may ask. Shoot, I don't know. I have had quite a wide range of Halloween experiences over the years.... yes years. Don't ask my age - and please, if you know it, don't tell. Against my wiser counsel, I will explore the various ways this strange holiday can be celebrated....at least in my neck of the woods. We were so pressed for time in scrambling to get our debut edition out, that the most (in)famous holiday of the fall season was put on the backburner and I really thought to just ignore it altogether. But nah, knowing me, I had to say something.

There are many questions that surface when you think of Halloween and its existence. The supposed purpose and symbolism are up for grabs. Here are some 6 scenarios I'm pulling from my own repertoire, along with the wider implications:

1) Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating

Of course the first basic answer is dressing the kiddies up in fun costumes, whether one of their favorite characters or some ghoulish mini monster. Taking my kids trick or treating has been fun times. Being the creative type, I've especially enjoyed creating costumes, even sewing by hand last minute. One year, when my boys were little, I actually sewed a Simba costume from the Lion King.

back in the day, I remember being able to dress up as a kid and going to the local mall to trick-or- treat. The mall was so much fun, because many stores would dress up and actually scare you a little. We got lots of candy, it was lit, and easy vs. neighborhood trick-or-treating. In the neighborhood you never know if someone was there and it was dark and there were dogs.

As a young teen going trick or treating with the neighborhood friends was so cool. Getting to dress up like a punk rocker or pop star was the highlight, because you couldn't do that any other day. Madonna inspired many a Halloween get-up. We could do wild hair, too much make-up, wearing too many colors... and it was acceptable

2) Church Hallelujah Party

Many may not have experienced this one, but the church 'Hallelujah' party is a safe and effective alternative choice to the 'trick-or-treating up the street' dangers. I have both participated and attended the Hallelujah parties over the years given at a local church in Norcross Georgia (USA) 'Landmark Church'. I haven't been to it in a while, but at one time it was quite spectacular. Mountains of candy piled up in the church sanctuary to be sorted out for giving out during games. Literally like mountains. Cool games and booths to keep the kids entertained. The kids always left there with way more candy than they could have collected in the neighborhood.

Years back, when there was a preschool there at that church,[Landmark Church], the kids would dress up as bible characters. I remember making a Moses costume for my oldest son. That was great fun. We all had a blast.

3)The House Party

I remember the revelry in taking the kids out in the neighborhood, then also celebrating at a grown folks house party with my ex-husband. I was able to be a mom giving the kids a fun time and also having my own fun. We did this several times, when I was married. One year, I made a cave woman costume for myself and something like that for my (ex) husband.

I've done a few house and penthouse parties more recently as a single. Once I dressed as Pocahontas. I took an ultra-suede Bebe dress and shredded the bottom then sprayed with glitter spray. I accessorized with large bold turquoise jewelry and wood bracelets. [I've played this role twice.] There were a bunch of beautiful hip people, music, terraces with beautiful views, and lots of liquor. ...and no cover.

4) The Dance Club

The club can be lots of fun for those who enjoy dancing, drinking, meeting new people or just want to see some entertaining costumes. Muchas diversiones, eh. I recall a particular year when I was out on the scene hitting all the hot spots. I actually went to about four [4] Halloween parties with my cousin and partner in crime. I wore costumes to three. I went as Pocahontas to Opera nightclub, which was a serious blast. The place was packed with an attractive fun-loving, dancing crowd. Not like these days when people stand and pose at the bar or look uppity at the lounges around town. 'They don't dance no more.' This was Fall 2007, before the economic crash, when da party was flowin'.

Another night that week, probably Saturday night - I went as 'Black Malibu Barbie' to a party at Wet Bar, which was another really serious blast. I was wearing pink short shorts 70s style gym shorts with side stripe, a pearlescent pink sequin halter top and pink platform sandals... and wait for it - pink lip gloss. We luv Barbie. I got flirted with, inappropriately grabbed, touched, come on to and sexually harassed by more gay and bi guys than in my whole life being around straight guys. Fun times. Lol...lol. Miss that place. We hit an after-party nearby that was even more hot music and good times. I don't recall the third costume lol.

5) Stay at home

Something I do more and more is simply stay at home and do whatever I was already doing. Don't buy any candy. Nobody has rung the door in my neighborhood for the last few years. Watch Halloween themed tv or movies with my daughter on Hulu or Netflix. Scooby Doo movies. Idk, just chill.

Back as a middle schooler, I once went to birthday party slumber party for a school friend. Her parents had the house Halloween rockin' with lots of great food, snacks and candy. They had Halloween themed games and we stayed up all night watching a marathon of the scary 'Halloween' movie series. Oh to be so young again. Not.

6) Family Get Together

Recent years, have made this into one of my faves - Going to my mom's and cooking or doing carry out. Buy some ridiculous candy. A few friends or family comes over. Someone puts on a super ugly mask and scares the neighborhood kids. My mom and brother enjoy that part. They may turn the lights out or have someone "normal" open the door to hand out candy, then a "monster" jumps out from behind. The kids screech. If the weather is good, we may take the little ones out for a quick candy run through the neighborhood. Very entertaining. We pig out on candy. Chocolate is my thing.

The more affluent neighborhoods are where the candy fiends seem to congregate, hoping to hit the candy holy grail. Speaking of the candy holy grail, I must digress again to my youth, when we lived across the street from a M&M Mars executive, who gave great Halloween gatherings and had SO MUCH candy. All year.

So what does this cultural holiday symbolize for you? How have your viewpoints changed over the years? Some would say Halloween is just a lighthearted side bar on the way to Thanksgiving. Some of a more religious tuning, point to it's origins as the day of the dead, as a celebration of spiritual perversions, witchcraft, un-deads, and all accounts of devilry. When we are allowed to dress as a character without ridicule, are we free to reveal our inner being? Are we subconsciously being who we want to be during that one day when it's socially acceptable? I have dressed as characters I somehow relate to or at minimum have an interest. Sometimes, it might have been whatever character was easiest to come up with in a short time. LOL. How have you chose your character costumes? When men dress as women, or women dress as men, do you wonder if that is something deep in their psyche trying to break free, if only for a moment. - Or is Halloween cross-dressing merely an attention grabber, contest favorite, or way to get extra attention? When I experienced the exaggerated sexual attentions from gay and bi men, was it a part of themselves, now hidden, that wanted to get out and play again, if only for a forgotten moment?

So we've heard Wal-Mart and possibly some other stores are offering gender free costumes. Some people are in an uproar. There was no set rule in place about who can buy and wear a costume and still isn't. There's a double standard here because, when a grown man dresses up as Marilyn Monroe on Halloween, it's funny and no one thinks twice, but when a little boy wants to be a princess, people roll their eyes. What's the difference? If a girl want to be a football player, she's looked down upon whether in real life or in costume.[ I digress, I loved the aggressiveness of playing powder puff football and soccer in high school]. People wonder why a woman isn't dressing in a sexy costume, though if she's scary enough, it's acceptable. There is a plethora of naughty maid, stripper, dancer - like costumes. And that's cool. Sexy is good. I admit, I preferred my boys, when they were young, not dress as a female character, but it never was something they wanted to do. Do you have a boy or girl who wants to cross-dress? Let us know what you did and what you think.

I have no idea what I'll do on Halloween 2015. Idk. Whatever you do, stay safe. Have your phone charged, some back up plans, safe words lol, and your uber app effectively working.

Maybe I'll go to a party. Maybe a movie. I could stay home. It may depend on what my daughter wants to do. GET CANDY!

#October #october