I know people are going to scream "Scrooge"!, but winter coats are a necessity. Food is a necessity. School supplies are a necessity. Halloween costumes are not. That not every child can participate is such a frivolous event as a Halloween parade at school because of limited funds at home, this seems like a really good reason to shut stuff like this down

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

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Okay, that is just crap. No way would I donate.

What's wrong with hand-me-down costumes? That's ridiculous.

I don't even buy new costumes for my own children - I use what we have and buy at thrift stores. New costumes just look so uninspired.

I feel sorry for your kids. Halloween is once a year.

Uh exactly, it once a year. Why go all out and spend $20-$30 for something worn a few times for a few hours? You must think a thrift store costume looks nasty. My kid had on a $2 costume this year that we got at a thrift store. She loved it. We ran into a friend at a parade in the same costume. The mother got it for $35.99 not including shipping. And you feel sorry for my kid? She learned a great lesson, looked cute as a button, was happy, and the extra money will go towards college someday.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Halloween and usually help in my kids' MCPS school for the class parties. We are about 50% FARMS and most of the kids are the children of immigrants. I usually bring a couple of costumes with me-- there are always a couple of kids that didn't bring anything to wear.

I agree with others that it seems like families could just make their own costumes for free. But have some sympathy. At our school parents are not American and don't get Halloween. They have not grown up with the holiday and don't really understand the ins and outs of the traditions.

Seriously? Maybe they need to learn our language, understand our country and our culture. You know, assimilate.

And how the hell do you think they start to understand the culture for Halloween? It's going to be through their kids. So yes, the first year or two, someone American shows the kids what to do and the kid tells their parents and now the parents get it.

Anonymous wrote:I love Halloween and usually help in my kids' MCPS school for the class parties. We are about 50% FARMS and most of the kids are the children of immigrants. I usually bring a couple of costumes with me-- there are always a couple of kids that didn't bring anything to wear.

I agree with others that it seems like families could just make their own costumes for free. But have some sympathy. At our school parents are not American and don't get Halloween. They have not grown up with the holiday and don't really understand the ins and outs of the traditions.

Seriously? Maybe they need to learn our language, understand our country and our culture. You know, assimilate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school has something similar with books, but asks you to sponsor a kid for that kid to get books. I have no idea why they aren't asking parents to donate books to these families, even if you designated an age or reading level. Because they are buying NEW books for these kids and are asking for cash, I won't donate on principal since my own kids do just fine with used books.

Exactly. I shop at a thrift store, craiglsist, free cycle, borrow books from library, make my own kid's costumes, clip coupons, and am very stingy about what I purchase for holidays/celebrations. THAT is why we are middle class. I have learned how to save, not overspend, manage my money. The amount of new items these poor kids get. Free meals, free new backpacks, free school supplies, free new holiday gifts (that are already wrapped) free scholastic books, now free brand-new costumes?? Come on already. How about a new class to the parents on how to manage their earnings and look for deals.

Yes!! The voice of reason.

Anonymous wrote:I love Halloween and usually help in my kids' MCPS school for the class parties. We are about 50% FARMS and most of the kids are the children of immigrants. I usually bring a couple of costumes with me-- there are always a couple of kids that didn't bring anything to wear.

I agree with others that it seems like families could just make their own costumes for free. But have some sympathy. At our school parents are not American and don't get Halloween. They have not grown up with the holiday and don't really understand the ins and outs of the traditions.

I remember one year a boy came dressed "up" as in tie & dress shoes and was so upset when everyone else was in a costume. He & his parents' didn't understand the difference between dressing up and, well, dressing up. As the parent volunteer at the party, I told him to tell everyone he was a politician.

I love Halloween and usually help in my kids' MCPS school for the class parties. We are about 50% FARMS and most of the kids are the children of immigrants. I usually bring a couple of costumes with me-- there are always a couple of kids that didn't bring anything to wear.

I agree with others that it seems like families could just make their own costumes for free. But have some sympathy. At our school parents are not American and don't get Halloween. They have not grown up with the holiday and don't really understand the ins and outs of the traditions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

Okay, that is just crap. No way would I donate.

What's wrong with hand-me-down costumes? That's ridiculous.

I don't even buy new costumes for my own children - I use what we have and buy at thrift stores. New costumes just look so uninspired.

I feel sorry for your kids. Halloween is once a year.

Aww, thanks for your sympathy. But, you can keep it. My kids have always had a fabulous Halloween. DH and I LOVE Halloween. We like in a neighborhood that loves Halloween. The kids have a blast, even in their thrift store costumes. And, now that they're older, they help out and enjoy the creative aspect of creating their own costumes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

Okay, that is just crap. No way would I donate.

What's wrong with hand-me-down costumes? That's ridiculous.

I don't even buy new costumes for my own children - I use what we have and buy at thrift stores. New costumes just look so uninspired.

I feel sorry for your kids. Halloween is once a year.

I agree that it's ridiculous to only accept new costumes.Most of the used costumes they received would have only been once & would still be in perfectly good condition, after all!

That being said, it's not the kids' fault that this policy is in place & I don't think that they should have to go without because of it. Since I can afford to (& I fully understand that not everybody can),if such a drive were taking place at my children's school, I would buy a new costume or two to donate.I would also, however, contact the drive's organisers & explain to them that they will likely receive a lot more donations next year if,instead of asking for just new costumes, they asked for "new or gently used" ones, explaining that while a lot of parents can't afford to buy an extra new costume for a disadvantaged child, most likely still have, & would gladly donate, one or more of their children's costumes from previous Halloweens that were only worn once.