“It’s for kids”, we think, as we begrudgingly scour the aisles for an appropriate, over-priced costume. It is that time of year again, and for some reason, another creative friend has decided to host a Halloween party. And whether it’s your wife or girlfriend making you go, your young son or daughter insisting you participate or the insidious peer pressure inflicted on you from people who call you their friend – you have to dress up. Ugh!
The good news is that the Halloween party does not have to be the torment an ugliness that Halloween likes to bring out. Just follow a few simple, practical dos and don’ts and you can have a fun Halloween without coming across like a total monster.
Do be creative.
Halloween is an opportunity, if we allow it to be one. See it as a challenge: Think outside the box you get at the mall. What can you create? If you like scary, go REALLY scary. If you like funny, be really funny. No matter your preference, make it specific to you, the party you are attending and the people who will be attending with you. There is nothing impressive or creative about putting on something you spent ten minutes purchasing at the drug store, so put some thought into it.
Don’t be Donald Trump.
Nothing will be less creative. Everyone will wear a Trump or Clinton mask. It is not funny. It is not creative. It is lame. Do better.
Do have couples costumes.
Yes, sometimes a couples costume can be lame and eye-rollingly saccharine. However, if you get creative and think of less expected pairings, the more fun you will have. Romeo and Juliet, or Batman and Batgirl will not be perceived as anything interesting. Try thinking about less likely pairs and avoid the trap of famous celebrity couples. Or think about inanimate pairs. A Bread and Butter costume is more fun and more surprising.
Don’t do repeats.
Sure, you might have had a kickass costume last year, but wearing it again will make this year (and last year) feel much less kickass. Costume repeats are boring, and there is no room for boring on Halloween.
Do go sexy.
Do not get too excited, but dudes, you cannot expect all the women to wear next to nothing without you meeting them half way. Wear what makes you feel good about yourself, whether that is a gruesome shocking costume (if attending that kind of party) or something you feel confident in.
But don’t be crude.
Sexy or not, be respectful. Don’t wear anything that focuses on sex, sex position, gynecology, a sex pun or your penis. Halloween is fun when it is safe and celebratory. Don’t bring a douchey, misogynistic tone to it. Sexy is different than sex.
Do be funny (unique and sincerely).
Funny is key if you can do it. But funny is never really ever found in a costume store. If you see a funny costume, remember that joke is not yours, it’s the costume designer’s. Let YOURSELF be funny (not crude) and your costume will be remembered for years.
Do have fun.
If the costume is stressing you out, simplify. The whole point is to have fun and be creative. Don’t worry about winning a Best Costume Award, and do not spend money you cannot afford on something as trivial as a Halloween costume. Your execution does not have to be perfect, if your idea is good enough.
Don’t use Halloween as an excuse.
This might be the most important tip: Do not get wasted. Do not act the fool. Do not assume Halloween is a hook-up party. It’s just a day, but it SHOULD be fun. Just remember it should be fun for everyone. Support other people’s costumes. Appreciate the silliness. And don’t spoil the fun for everyone else but being an idiot.
Have fun, be safe and remember: You can trick, you can treat or you can just have a great time.
