I am, admittedly, a holiday killjoy. Halloween makes the list of holidays I generally would like to avoid all together.
To Halloween I say, "Boo! Humbug."
I haven't always been a Halloween party-pooper, but at some point in my life I became a Hallo-Scrooge. To me, dressing up as someone or something else for a day is awkward and just plain weird. Why would I want to prance around all day as a witch or a fairy, or even a super hero? Although I have seen some pretty fantastic costumes in some workplaces over the years, I am perfectly content in being plain old Tanya, every day.
I don't remember how old I was, but I do remember someone asking me once while putting a handful of candy in my bag, "and what are you supposed to be?" I looked up and answered, "myself." At precisely that moment, I knew the thrill was gone.
I do remember a time when getting dressed up and going door-to-door begging for candy was a delight. My mom would make my costume which I would wear that under my winter jacket. No one knew what I was dressed up as when I went to the door. Looking back, my mom wasted countless hours over the years on costumes for my brother and myself that no one got to see.
Taking that knowledge with me through the years, as a mom, I don't waste those hours on costumes for my two boys. I also think my poo-poo attitude regarding Halloween has rubbed off on at least one of them. I didn't mean for this to happen, but my seven-year-old son isn't big on dressing up and heading out into the cold to collect candy either.
Last year, I was excited to know Halloween wouldn't last long when my son said to me, "I think I have enough candy. Can we go home?" after hitting only six houses. "Oh, absolutely, buddy," was my answer.
Perhaps with my attitude toward Halloween, I should go as a Stick in the Mud. It seems fitting.
Of all the holidays in a year, Halloween is one that could be dropped off the calendar, and I wouldn't shed a tear.
BOO! HUMBUG!!!
The only other holiday I have a bigger problem with is Valentine's Day, and you don't want to get me started on that!
