1 of 44

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

around the counter and pretend like I was going to take their hair to use in my cotton candy, then I would just tickle them instead. Most of the kids didn't even recognize whom I was until after I had scared them!

However, I think my all-time favorite costume is one that I made for my youngest son when he was only a little over a year old. We lived in the Florida highlands in 1978, and the community held a Halloween party. My kids wanted to go to the party, but it required that the kids dress up in costumes. Being very poor at the time, and living far from any stores, I had to make the costumes for my sons. I didn't have many resources to use, but still came up with two costumes. I utilized an old-fashioned braided rug, some feathers, and some watercolor paints to turn my oldest son into an Indian brave. There wasn't enough materials to make my younger son the same costume. All I could find was a very old, very flimsy white nightgown. Since my son was so young, I figured he wouldn't mind if I dressed him in a feminine costume. Therefore, that old nightgown became a wedding dress, and my youngest son became a blushing bride, with veil and all the accessories! To my amazement, my youngest son won the grand prize for best costume. I thought it was due to his being a boy dressed in a bride's dress. However, as it turned out, everyone actually thought he was a girl! We were new to the community, and most of the people didn't know our family yet. They didn't realize that we had two sons, and not a son and daughter. After the contest, my son had taken off the dress costume, and no one realized it had been him dressed as the bride. The people kept asking where our daughter was, and we kept telling them we didn't have any daughters yet! I can still remember the looks on those people's faces as it dawned on them they had mistaken my son for a girl! It never occurred to them someone would dare even think about dressing a boy in girl's clothing back then. I don't think this is my son's favorite costume, though, even if it did win him a prize!

Learn more about this author, Penny S. Vincent.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Memoirs: Halloween costumes?
We want to hear your view. Write now!