Halloween is nearing, so I plan to enjoy these last few days of witches and jack-o-lantern decorations in my house.

Halloween is not a holiday, but it sure is a day many look forward to, especially children.

As a child, I remember looking forward to Halloween.

However, for me, it wasn’t so much about the candy that got me excited; it was all about the costumes.

Once old enough to decide on my own what I “wanted to be” on Halloween, I can assure you it was never a witch or goblin.

I was more of the princess type. Dressing up in pretty dresses and crowns was more my style rather than looking like a ghost or grotesque creature.

Besides, princesses got to wear make-up, and I just loved lipstick and eye shadow. Mom had been a real stand-up parent in those days.

I feel certain she had to bite her tongue on a few occasions when I went a little heavy with the cosmetics.

My love of Halloween and costumes continued into adulthood.

As a mother, I spent hours behind the sewing machine creating and crafting costumes for my children.

You see, unlike the market place available to today’s moms, there was no Amazon to order the outfit.

Yes, there were some stores that sold ready-made costumes, but their offerings were limited, particularly if you weren’t there the day they were first displayed.

That being said, like me, most of the moms with whom I hung-out enjoyed making costumes for their kids, too.

And if truth be told, I think there may have been a bit of friendly competition between us gals.

Of course, it was never said, but you just couldn’t help being a bit envious, or I mean admiring, of the more elaborate costumes.

Halloween back then also meant time for neighborhood parties.

These family-friendly events were always fun.

We would all bring a dish and gather at someone’s home or at the cul-de-sac of the neighborhood.

After our feast, it was time to hit the road, which meant going house-to-house so your child could trick-or-treat.

For several years at a party we attended in the Audubon subdivision, some of the parents rigged up a trailer filled with hay to make the journey easier on the kids.

Pulled by a four-wheeler, this quasi-hayride was a hit.

Some of us parents would walk alongside the trailer making sure no one fell off.

When it stopped in front of houses, the passel of children would jump off and run to doors for their treats.

And as every parent knows, when the youngest in the group sees a piece of candy in their bag, it is almost impossible to convince them to save it for later.

You know what I mean?

Those days of trick-or-treating with the kids have passed, but that doesn’t mean the fun has gone.

Now I get to pass out candy to all the little princesses and ghosts and Power Rangers that ring my doorbell.

Unfortunately, I don’t live on a busy street, and I have very few visitors. 

However, for the ones who show up, rest assured, I pass out good candy. That way, if there is any left, and there always is, I still get to have a little treat myself.

Happy Halloween.

 

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.