Touché, Dawn. (I seem to recall one year I was older brother wearing a robot-printed poncho and my older brother a cowboy, then the following year we swapped. We were three and four the former year, four and five the latter year.)
Costumes are too expensive nowadays. I remember one year my Mom got a Minnie Mouse costume that was only $20. Now a Minnie Mouse costume could cost you at least $45.
Like the episode of How I Met Your Mother where there is a clown at a party. Ralph Macchio is a guest and everyone argues with him as to how he brought it on himself in The Karate Kid. At the end of the episode, the clown removes his makeup to reveal himself as William Zabka.
My favorite costume for my son was when he dressed as Tom Sawyer at age 5. He and I hit the thrift stores for the clothing components, including a pair of suspenders and “clodhopper” boots. We added a bamboo pole with a red bandana full of “belongings” tied to the end and a straw hat. He looked great. (unfortunately, the previous owner of the boots from the thrift store had an awful case of athlete’s foot, and of course Mike caught it. He’s been battling it ever since and he’s 42 now)
My favorite cartoon involved two kids – one was holding a bag and saying “Trick or treat” and the other with his hands on a detonator! (Hopefully, the wires didn’ t go anywhere!)
I remember making a costume like that, and it was shared by all of my children as they grew older. It lasted for about 5 Halloweens and then I stored it in the Halloween costume box, and now my daughter took it for her oldest. I made all of our kids’ costumes for years and years. They gave me an idea and I went with it and didn’t even have to buy a pattern.
When my son was older than 10, he had the idea that he wanted to be Dracula. I already had a cape that I made the year before, for the older one who wanted to be the wicked witch from the West. So the only thing more that he needed was make up, which he figured out himself. Another costume that lasted for a few years was a fairy costume which could be turned into an angel, the next year, just by using a white choir robe and the wings stayed the same. The hat that I made for the wicked witch was used for the good witch costume in another year, just the cover material was changed.
We never bought a costume from a store. We had all kinds of scraps of material because my mother was a seamstress who not only sewed clothes, but also drapes and bed spreads. So in the end the costumes only required time. As the kids got older they made their own costumes from what was in the house.
I went to work one Halloween with my face made up like cat. Ears and all. On the way home I forgot it and scared a little kid in the next car. We had stopped at a traffic light and I just happen to be looking around when she saw me and started screaming.
I have a pic on my wall here, of my son dressed as a fabulous vampire, in a costume I made him (redlined, black cape and all) from 1980. Next to it is a pic of his son, same 10 years old, wearing my saved vampire costume. Doesn’t get any better than that.
Growing up, all but once my costumes were created from things we had on hand. We’re a pretty creative, imaginative funny so my siblings and I had some great costumes.
It’s possible to pull together costumes like that now, plus many thrift shops sell costumes as well as clothes that can be turned into costumes. My niece lives in a neighborhood with lots of kids of different ages. They have regular clothing and costume exchanges.
When I was trick-or-treating age, my family lived in Montana. Without fail, every Halloween was very cold and snowy. We had to wear our winter coats, etc. Costumes would have been covered up. We got those crappy little masks with the thin elastic cord that fit behind your head. Nothin’ fancy for us!!
howtheduck about 5 years ago
If this was being done this year instead of 1990, Dawn would go as Pennywise the clown.
Templo S.U.D. about 5 years ago
Touché, Dawn. (I seem to recall one year I was older brother wearing a robot-printed poncho and my older brother a cowboy, then the following year we swapped. We were three and four the former year, four and five the latter year.)
Johnny Q Premium Member about 5 years ago
At this stage of the strip, you can see Lynn Johnston’s artwork improving!
jpayne4040 about 5 years ago
That sounds like a great reason! A clown it is!
Watcher about 5 years ago
So I guess you didn’t grow much in the last 2 years.
Sephten about 5 years ago
Is it my imagination, or has Elizabeth grown several years in the last few months?
Geophyzz about 5 years ago
If you really want to scare people, simply wear a suit and print out an I.D. card that looks like the IRS.
Sportymonk about 5 years ago
Whatever happened to Dawn? We know about Gordy but seems Elizabeth’s friends just disappeared.
keltii about 5 years ago
depends on the weather and whether you need a snowsuit under the costume.
suv2000 about 5 years ago
You know what they say if the foosh s**** wear it
JPuzzleWhiz about 5 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXmGpLYiFWU
GirlGeek Premium Member about 5 years ago
Costumes are too expensive nowadays. I remember one year my Mom got a Minnie Mouse costume that was only $20. Now a Minnie Mouse costume could cost you at least $45.
rebelstrike0 about 5 years ago
Like the episode of How I Met Your Mother where there is a clown at a party. Ralph Macchio is a guest and everyone argues with him as to how he brought it on himself in The Karate Kid. At the end of the episode, the clown removes his makeup to reveal himself as William Zabka.
Camiyami Premium Member about 5 years ago
The family budget wins again! Ugh, I always hated that. We NEVER got new costumes… just had to go to the costume box and find something that fit!
jbarnes about 5 years ago
My daughter’s friend has to wear one of her old costumes this year because there is a new baby in the family and the mom is a little overwhelmed.
Jan C about 5 years ago
My favorite costume for my son was when he dressed as Tom Sawyer at age 5. He and I hit the thrift stores for the clothing components, including a pair of suspenders and “clodhopper” boots. We added a bamboo pole with a red bandana full of “belongings” tied to the end and a straw hat. He looked great. (unfortunately, the previous owner of the boots from the thrift store had an awful case of athlete’s foot, and of course Mike caught it. He’s been battling it ever since and he’s 42 now)
tuslog1964 about 5 years ago
My favorite cartoon involved two kids – one was holding a bag and saying “Trick or treat” and the other with his hands on a detonator! (Hopefully, the wires didn’ t go anywhere!)
stefaninafla about 5 years ago
Nice thing about having a family with sewing skills, Halloween costumes were not a problem.
1JennyJenkins about 5 years ago
I remember making a costume like that, and it was shared by all of my children as they grew older. It lasted for about 5 Halloweens and then I stored it in the Halloween costume box, and now my daughter took it for her oldest. I made all of our kids’ costumes for years and years. They gave me an idea and I went with it and didn’t even have to buy a pattern.
When my son was older than 10, he had the idea that he wanted to be Dracula. I already had a cape that I made the year before, for the older one who wanted to be the wicked witch from the West. So the only thing more that he needed was make up, which he figured out himself. Another costume that lasted for a few years was a fairy costume which could be turned into an angel, the next year, just by using a white choir robe and the wings stayed the same. The hat that I made for the wicked witch was used for the good witch costume in another year, just the cover material was changed.
We never bought a costume from a store. We had all kinds of scraps of material because my mother was a seamstress who not only sewed clothes, but also drapes and bed spreads. So in the end the costumes only required time. As the kids got older they made their own costumes from what was in the house.
samfran6-0 about 5 years ago
I went to work one Halloween with my face made up like cat. Ears and all. On the way home I forgot it and scared a little kid in the next car. We had stopped at a traffic light and I just happen to be looking around when she saw me and started screaming.
Airbender about 5 years ago
Lots of folks are clowns every year….Look at Congress!
summerdog about 5 years ago
I have a pic on my wall here, of my son dressed as a fabulous vampire, in a costume I made him (redlined, black cape and all) from 1980. Next to it is a pic of his son, same 10 years old, wearing my saved vampire costume. Doesn’t get any better than that.
Sassy's Mom about 5 years ago
Growing up, all but once my costumes were created from things we had on hand. We’re a pretty creative, imaginative funny so my siblings and I had some great costumes.
It’s possible to pull together costumes like that now, plus many thrift shops sell costumes as well as clothes that can be turned into costumes. My niece lives in a neighborhood with lots of kids of different ages. They have regular clothing and costume exchanges.
celtickat53 about 5 years ago
When I was trick-or-treating age, my family lived in Montana. Without fail, every Halloween was very cold and snowy. We had to wear our winter coats, etc. Costumes would have been covered up. We got those crappy little masks with the thin elastic cord that fit behind your head. Nothin’ fancy for us!!
hagarthehorrible about 5 years ago
The costume in the closet always comes handy during these fancy dress competitions.