Questions re: potentially lame costume, and trick-or-treating date

[Anonymous]

My daughter is just three, so this will be our first time doing Halloween with her. Two questions:

1. I don't really want to buy a costume. She has a red silk chinese dress (you know, the short sleeves and high collar) that a friend brought back from China. If I put in her that, with her hair in a bun and a little make-up, would that be a good "costume"?

2. Will trick-or-treating be on Sunday evening? When I was a kid, it was always on a Friday or Saturday evening. Do folks do it on the actual date here?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, Trick-or-Treating is always on 10/31 around here.

The costume sounds lovely.

[Anonymous]

I think the costume idea is okay, though it might be offensive to some people unless she is dressing up as a character (Mulan?) - think dressing up like an Indian, etc.

The day and time for trick or treating depends on your neighborhood. Our neighborhood puts it in their newsletter so you might check there or your neighborhood list serv.

[Anonymous]

1. Not lame. My son's favorite costume was a brown hoodie I sewed three socks on (two for ears, one for a tail). He loved it so much he wore it two years in a row and wore it around the neighborhood until Spring one year. No one really knew what he was (a dog), but he didn't seem to care. Plus it was comfortable, unlike many store-bought cosutmes.

2. Trick or Treating is always Oct 31st in Arlington. I grew up where it was Friday or Saturday also. There also seems to be no set times. Just an informal - when it gets dark. I find that to be confusing. Can't they just tell us a time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Not lame. My son's favorite costume was a brown hoodie I sewed three socks on (two for ears, one for a tail). He loved it so much he wore it two years in a row and wore it around the neighborhood until Spring one year. No one really knew what he was (a dog), but he didn't seem to care. Plus it was comfortable, unlike many store-bought cosutmes.

2. Trick or Treating is always Oct 31st in Arlington. I grew up where it was Friday or Saturday also. There also seems to be no set times. Just an informal - when it gets dark. I find that to be confusing. Can't they just tell us a time?

Who would tell you the time?

[Anonymous]

I'm glad no one sets a time. Who exactly is "they"? It starts in the evening when it starts to get a bit dark. I don't think any more than that.

[Anonymous]

Where I grew up, it was actually the city (I think the police) who established the time. They deliberately had more patrol cars out and got the word out to the general public to be more alert about driving in neighborhoods where kids might be running around at twilight. I think it also helped keep things on the early rather than late side so that you didn't have kids banging on your door after 9pm, and you also knew when to be ready for the doorbell to start ringing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the costume idea is okay, though it might be offensive to some people unless she is dressing up as a character (Mulan?) - think dressing up like an Indian, etc.

The day and time for trick or treating depends on your neighborhood. Our neighborhood puts it in their newsletter so you might check there or your neighborhood list serv.

OP, it sounds as if you mean well, but please be sensitive to the fact that "native dress" from other countries is not generally viewed by people from those countries as a "costume" -- it's just what they wear. Further, I don't know exactly what sort of makeup you were planning on, but please, again, think carefully before adding stereotypical features ("slanty" eyes or other features that have been caracaitured). I wince at writing this, but wanted to put it out there in case you had not completely considered this. If you have, my apologies for being obvious.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that is a good costume. I mean, what are you going to say when people ask what she is? Are you going to answer, "I dressed her up as a Chinese person?" If so, do you really think that is a particularly good idea? I am Asian-American and would roll my eyes at anyone who showed up at my door dressed like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that is a good costume. I mean, what are you going to say when people ask what she is? Are you going to answer, "I dressed her up as a Chinese person?" If so, do you really think that is a particularly good idea? I am Asian-American and would roll my eyes at anyone who showed up at my door dressed like that.

Same here

[Anonymous]

Turn off your lights when you are done for the night. This always works for us. You will find most kids taper off towards 8.

[Anonymous]

Wow, some people are easily offended. I have often received lovely traditional garb from friends who travel, and worn it to Halloween parties. When else am I going to wear a gorgeous sari, or a kimono? Do you think my Indian friend who brought me the sari thought that perhaps I should wear it to work? And if I did, how long would it be before someone posted on here "I just saw a blond woman on metro all decked out in a fancy sari. She's not Indian! How weird!"

What is the point of having these items if you don't wear them? And when ELSE can you wear them, if not on Halloween? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Where I grew up, the township set a time and date for Trick or Treating (it wasn't always on Halloween and there was a specific time range). I realize I can turn off the lights, but I dont' want kids to miss out. I also don't want to be sitting there waiting if no one else is coming. And it would be nice to have a set start time. What does "dark" mean. Pitch black dark? Or starts to get dark. We generally just wait to see other kids, but it would be easier on everyone it seems if there was just a start time. But hey, I'm a complete planning type person.

[Anonymous]

1. I don't really want to buy a costume. She has a red silk chinese dress (you know, the short sleeves and high collar) that a friend brought back from China. If I put in her that, with her hair in a bun and a little make-up, would that be a good "costume"?


I think that's a fine idea. Maybe next year, you could put her in blackface?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, some people are easily offended. I have often received lovely traditional garb from friends who travel, and worn it to Halloween parties. When else am I going to wear a gorgeous sari, or a kimono? Do you think my Indian friend who brought me the sari thought that perhaps I should wear it to work? And if I did, how long would it be before someone posted on here "I just saw a blond woman on metro all decked out in a fancy sari. She's not Indian! How weird!"

What is the point of having these items if you don't wear them? And when ELSE can you wear them, if not on Halloween? Serious question.

It is no different or less offensive than if you dressed up as a Native American for Halloween.