Posted by Julie at Oct 31, 2012 6:19 am
Halloween…
The two of us have been friends for more than fifteen years. So it was no big surprise when we realized we both had final books in a series out in the same
month. Not only that, but they’re both set in the world of reality TV. In celebration, we decided to embark on a blog tour during the months of October
and November. We are so excited to spend Halloween with the Plot Monkeys!
Kathy Garbera: Who all is dressing up for Halloween?
Nancy Robards Thompson: We’re not going to a party this year, but I will probably don my witch hat when I greet the trick or treaters.
KG: I’m going to be in my usual costume, suburban mom.
NRT: A couple of years ago, I read an article that said Halloween gives people a chance to either dress up as someone they admire and want to be like or a person
they don’t care for and therefore want to ridicule.
KG: That makes sense. What else did the article say?
NRT: It went on to talk about different types of costumes and how costume choice gives a bit of insight into the person’s personality.
KG: This is interesting, Nanc, what do the different costumes mean?
NRT: Here’s what they suggested:
Celebrities
Trendy celebrity costumes are rooted in popular culture. People may simply wish to display a knowledge of current events or share their interests. Or they may wear them because they express personality traits or social issues that are associated with the celebrity’s image.
Animals
Generally, animals represent strength, basic personality traits: cats are sensual, purring, soft creatures. Because animals symbolize certain traits or attributes in myth as well as popular culture (such as strength, loyalty, grace, independence, cunning, transcendence), an animal costume may represent some real aspect of a
person’s identity.
Comical costumes represent a person’s willingness to let go and have fun. They imply that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Although, it strikes me that if
a person is willing to dress up in ANY costume they probably don’t take themselves too seriously the other days of the year.
KG: True. So, does that mean that sexy characters French maids, naughty nurses or a Playboy bunny can represent one’s own sexuality?
NRT: Right! Or it can give those who are a bit more conservative a chance to vamp it up for a night.
KG: Then I would also guess that sweet costumes like fairies or princesses represent purity or beauty, or a return to a harmless ideal time.
NRT: That makes a lot of sense. The other side of that coin would be scary costumes… Maybe that’s a way for people to safely express their darker side?
KG: Or confront the things that scare them.
NRT: Did I mention that my witch hat is a GOOD WITCH hat?
KG: What? Like Glenda the Good Witch?
NRT: Well… maybe I should cover it in glitter before the kids start knocking on the door.
KG: Are you saying you you’re afraid to confront you darker side?
NRT: That’s a loaded question, Kathy. What would your ideal costume be? The one that best describes your personality?
KG: Don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject there. For me the perfect costume is something fancy like a dress Marie Antoinette would wear
complete with powdered wig and lots of make-up. How about you, Nanc?
NRT: One of my favorite Halloweens was when my family and I dressed up as the characters from the Wizard of Oz. We made our costumes. Our daughter, who was just three at the time, was Dorothy; my husband was the Tin Man; my grandma was the Lion; my dad was a lollypop kid; my step-mom, who was the best sport in the entire world, volunteered to be the Wicked Witch. The witch hat I’m wearing tonight was part of her Wizard of Oz costume. So, you see it is a good witch hat. I was the Scarecrow in our ensemble cast. So, I guess I usually stick to the happier, lighter costumes: flapper, flower child, Renaissance queen, scarecrow.
KG: Didn’t Charlie Brown’s Lucy say that your costume choice represents the opposite of your personality?
NRT: And what are you suggesting, Kathy?
KG: I was just about to suggest that everyone here tell us whether they’re dressing up in costume this year. If so, what will you be and do you think it says
something about your personality? Or tell us about a favorite costume from Halloweens past. We will select one person who posts to win a $15 electronic
Amazon gift card.
Nancy Robards Thompson’s series, Celebrations, Inc. (and its books TEXAS WEDDING (Sept. 2012), TEXAS MAGIC (Oct. 2012)and TEXAS CHRISTMAS
(Nov. 2012)) is set around a reality television show called “Catering to Dallas.” It highlights the ins and outs of the Celebrations, Inc. catering company. The third book in that series, TEXAS CHRISTMAS is available November 1.
Katherine Garbera’s series, Matchmakers, Inc. is set around a reality TV show called Sexy & Single. Wealthy bachelors and bachelorettes go to Matchmakers,
Inc. to be matched and then they go on six dates which are televised. The third book in that series, CALLING ALL THE SHOTS is available November 1.
We collect arcade games and have an arcade in our basement!
What an adorable family costume, Sue! In addition to the Wizard of Oz gang, we also went as the Adams family. Those were fun years.
I love that idea, Sue! Sounds like it was a lot of fun. We all dressed as the Scooby gang one year…such fun.
I never, ever dress up! I think the last time was college.
Kris, as hectic as life is, sometimes I feel like I do well to dress for the day. I had a lot more incentive to dress up when my daughter was young. Hope you have a happy Halloween!
I stopped dressing up a few years ago when my daughter went off to college and my son started going out with friends.
My favorite costume when I was young was Anne of Green Gables. I loved that since no one else ever dressed up as I did. It was special and everyone loved it.
Ellie, what a great costume! Anne of Green Gables is such a beloved character.
I love Anne of Green Gables. Would have loved to have seen a trick-or-treater dressed as her. I love how on ABC’s The Middle Brick always dresses up as a fictional character and not one that everyone has heard of.
I dressed up each Halloween, but I don’t anymore, but one Halloween was spectacular. I dressed up as Jean Harlow. The sparkly silver dress, the silver wig and the makeup. Wow!
Anne, I’ll bet you looked beautiful! I’d love to go as Marilyn Monroe someday.
That sounds like my kind of costume!!
Welcome to the jungle! I’m not dressing up this year. I dress up about every other year. My go to costume is Jessie from “toy story”. it always makes my oldest son smile (he has autism and he loves Pixar).
Katie, anything that makes the kids smile! Right? Hope your Halloween was happy.
I was so excited when Disney came out with adult costumes. It really makes for the perfect Halloween when the entire family can get involved.
Happy Halloween!
This year I will be in Orange & Black… no costume… but in the past I have painted things on my face like a black cat or a dragon… I have not worn a costume in years… a favof mine was a black & pink sorceress costume! Enjoy all! :bananaangel:
Black and orange sounds very festive, Colleen. You know how to get into the spirit, don’t you?
Sounds like a lot of fun. I have some black and orange tights I sometimes wear under a plain black dress on Halloween.
hobo
jcp, we had a kid come to our door tonight who looked like a “Where’s Waldo” hobo. He laughed and said he was going to tell people that’s who he was.
That was my middle sister’s costume for years. She kept trick-or-treating into her 20s. Said she can’t resist free candy.
This is a sort of second-hand story about a costume but funny anyway. My husband was on business travel one year for Halloween and went to a party at the home of some of his associates. One guy was wearing a big, black raincoat. When he opened it, out plopped a huge dork he had made. He was calling himself a flasher. My husband said it was the funniest thing ever. I love how clever people can be and this guy tops it!
Happy Halloween, Everyone. Be safe.
Happy Halloween, Connie! I love your sense of humor.
I love your sense of humor too!
Uh-oh. I’m not dressing up.
So what does that say about me? :flowers4you:
It says that you’re perfect just the way you are, Marcie!
I agree with Nancy–you must be perfect!
Happy Halloween!
I’m not dressing up this year.
Hope you had a great Halloween, Chey!
Hope you had a Happy Halloween!
When I was in high school, a friend and I went to a Holloween party dressed each dressed as an individual dice… so we were a pair of dice… the only thing we’d not counted on as we made the dice out of large cardboard boxes… we couldn’t sit down.. In case you’re wondering… we unfolded the boxes and climbed in them after we got to the party..
That’s such a clever costume, cates! I wouldn’t have thought about the sitting down dilemma either.
That is a clever costume. One year in college me and my bandmates went as gangsters and their molls from the 20s/30s. That was a lot of fun.
I’m not dressing up this year but we keep saying we are going to dress with a theme here at work but so far it hasn’t happened. Years past my husband has let me have my way with him and he has been Little Sprout and a Smurf. He is not a tall person so they fit him perfectly. He’s not so fond of me painting him colors anymore :biggrin:
He sounds like a great sport! You sound very creative. But the thing with the group costumes is they have to be planned so far in advance. Most of the time these days it’s August and then I blink and realize Halloween is the next day.
Sounds like you have a great husband. What fun!
lol I haven’t dressed in a costume since my son was young (he’s almost 43 now). My brother always told me I didn’t need a costume.. I was scary enough as it was!! :razz3:
I love to see others dress up though. ;) We live out in the country so never have trick or treaters, but the local businesses, churches, and community offer plenty of fun for them, and a lot safer for the children too. :mickey:
:hallpir: :freezeman: :dart: :devil: :domainatrix: :bananaangel: All these guys and gals are dressed and ready to go……. 
Marie, that sounds like something my brother would’ve said to me! I had such a good time tonight seeing all the trick-or-treators who came to our door. Such cuties.
Sounds like you live in area similar to the one I grew up in. We’d always go to my aunt’s house since they lived in a real neighborhood.
Hmmm, I’m actually not dressing up this year! But my favorite costume was a witch– I even won best contume for it! I guess, ya know, if the shoe fits… ;-)
I’ll bet you wear it very well, Chelsea B. We’ll be witches together – good witches, right?
I was not sure if we would get any trick or treaters this year after the hurricane. I am happy to say we had a few.
DebraG, I was wondering how the hurricane might affect Halloween. Glad you had some kids at your door. That’s a good sign that people are resuming their lives.
:hallpir: Happy Halloween to All! :onfire1:
I’m not dressing up as there is no reason to! That said I am wearing an orange shirt with black pumpkins on it which is doing double duty! Orange & Black for the World Series winning San Francisco Giants!
Today was the big parade & celebration in San Francisco. There were thousands attending, maybe even a million people in the city for the celebration & fun. The rain held off during all that. Not sure about now. I am 70 miles north & we have a good steady rain going! :rainman: Too bad for all the Trick or Treaters but some Halloweens are like that in this area!
Here is to Halloween!
:devil: :domainatrix: :dart: :hallpir: :mickey:
Donna M, GO GIANTS!! My brother lives in that area and is a huge fan. I was so glad they won. Happy Halloween!
I saw Go Giants and thought NY Giants.
I’m not dressing up but my favorite from years past was when I made my kids’ costumes and they went as Raggedy Ann and Andy. They were probably 5and 7 and they were so darned cute (of course I am biased).
Cheryl S, I’ll bet they were adorable!
Happy Halloween – I did not dress up this year. I early voted tonight. Still had to wait 50 minutes to vote. When my daughter was 1, we did our only family costumes. She was Tigger, I was Eeyore and my husband was Winnie the Poojh.
Tammy Y – WINNIE THE POOH! What a fabulous group costume! I wish I would’ve thought of it when my daughter was young. Good for you for voting. I early voted today, too. My wait was about the same. One of the poll workers said that has been the pace all week. I hope that means there will be a good turnout for this election.
Love Winnie The Pooh, what a great idea.
Generally The Monkeys…
[...] nny anyway. My husband was on business travel one year for Halloween and went to [...]…
Welcome to the jungle ladies. I won’t dress up, but did tell my high school juniors that I dressed as a teacher today. Some of them got the joke. I was more into Halloween when my kids were little. Hope everyone had a safe Halloween.
Haha! I have said to my kids I’ll be dressed as a mom.
Hope you had a great Halloween.
That’s cute, Eileen!
Congrats on the books,nicepcs
I like my she-ra costume as a kid, it was cool, had a sword felt strong whoo
Happy Halloween all whoo
Great prize thanks :party: :flag: :yourock :threecheers :partygroup: :dancebanana: :cooldance: :dancebanana:
Love She-Ra! What a great costume idea. I’ve never been comfortable being a warrior woman though.
Kim, that sounds like a fun costume! Some of my favorites from my youth were the times I went as Wonder Woman and a cave woman.
Thanks for the fun post and giveaway! Congrats on the new releases!
I didn’t not dress up this year b/c I just don’t. I guess that says that I’m a bit self conscious and don’t like to draw attention to myself. But I did have fun handing out candy to all the kids tonight. My BF and I sat in lawn chairs at the end of the driveway so that our mini dog herd didn’t go too nuts by the doorbell going off. It was a bit chilly but still fun
I did that in my last neighborhood and it was so much fun. I loved just sitting outside and chatting.
erin, Halloween is a little hectic for dogs, isn’t it? We had to put ours upstairs last night. But she could still hear the kids walking up the drive and would bark. She gave us warning that they were coming to the door so we could be there even before they knocked.
Last year I dressed as a tiger. When I took the grandsons Trunk of Treating I had complete strangers walk up to me and ask if they could take a picture of their kids standing next to me. LOL. It was fun.
That’s great! Sounds like lots of fun.
Brenda- “Trunk of Treating”- Haha! That’s funny! Your tiger costume sounds fabulous! Did you make it yourself? I saw some of the cutest costumes last night that looked like some mamas or grandmamas put hours into them.
Happy Halloween! Well I read this post late, didn’t dress up this year. But my boys had a blast!
Happy Halloween! I’m glad you boys had a good time.
Maria, Glad you all had fun!
No Halloween for us this year because I have a 3 month old. My favorite costume of years past was when I was a twirler! I wore my green lost boy costume- Peter Pan dance from recital and a flag- broom stick with pink fabric hanging off of it. I was a flag twirler from our local high school! I was very creative at 10.
I dressed my kids as a dragon when they weren’t a year old. It was a one-piece pajama thing with a hood. It was very cute and kept them warm.
Sherie, let’s hear it for the color guard! My daughter was in band and tried a season of winter guard (the flag team that performs and competes after marching season) and it was HARD! It’s very difficult to toss and twirl the flags and look graceful and not hurt yourself.
Congratulations on the three-month-old. My daughter was born in November. So, she was nearly a year old on her first Halloween. I dressed her as a pumpkin. It sounds similar to what Kathy said – footie pjs, but with a little orange and green beret.
I wish I was dressing up for Halloween. I’m not though, due to Sandy.
I love how I move to NJ on October 13th of this year then we get Sandy just about a week and a half later. So happy to have power again! We were without it for about 40hrs. :snowguy:
Hmmm, past costumes…..I’ve done a vampire when I volunteered at a school function. Everyone was asking me if my teeth were real because they looked that natural. No cheesy teeth for me, I bought myself a $20 teeth colored set that you glue on. Quite fun! All the kids enjoyed it when I mock hissed at them :biggrin:
Can’t wait to read your books!
Hugs on Hurricane Sandy. I’m glad you have power again. I hope you enjoy living in NJ. I have family there in Brick and Pt. Pleasant and love visiting.
Love the vampire costume idea and the fake teeth! Sounds like it was a lot of fun.
Rachel, I’m so sorry you had to face Sandy right after moving. Not a very hospitable welcome, huh? So glad you’re ok and that you have power again. Hugs
I dont dress up any longer – last time I was a witch and that was about 10 or so years ago.
Favorite costume was made by my mom – a flapper with a headpiece and long necklaces.
Patoct, my daughter went as a flapper a couple of years ago. It was such a fun costume!
My favorite costume from the past is a lady pirate.
My favorite costume was a clown costume my grandmother made me when I was young. It had stripped pants and vest, big shoes, the crazy wig, and the red nose. I got a lot of laughs.
I usually wear silly outfits: a rabbit in my sleepers; Santa; a clown; a maid; harried housewife in facial cream/robe; woman in shower with towel wrapped around my badminton clothes and a shower curtain worn as a cape; Christmas tree made of giant green garbage bags. This year I was a cat, complete with a tail that swished while I played badminton. I like to make people smile….
The husband and I just started dressing up last year. This year we went as Hall and Oates! I was Oates since I’m the short one, and my husband even died his black hair blonde to be Hall. He hadn’t gotten a haircut in a while to make sure he had the right hairstyle for the Halloween party. So we dyed it and feathered it out and oh wow was it pretty awesome lol. So was my lovely mustache, I have to admit. Last year he went as Elvis and I went as my mom. I wore a curly, almost mullet-like wig to represent her hair in the late 80s/early 90s, bright sweat pants and sweat shirt to represent her favorite outfits (seriously, she never matches and loves her sweats!), along with her early 90s red rimmed glasses that look a lot like those Sally Jesse Raphael used to rock back in the day. And since my mom is a cat lady (you know the kind, she had 14 cats at the time), I pinned all of my daughter’s stuffed cats to my clothes along with one stuffed pug to represent her dog. It was a huge hit with everyone, especially my mom who was confused at first sight and then couldn’t stop saying “You’re me! Oh my god, you’re me!!!”
I can’t say that I love dressing up too often, mainly because the pressure of coming up with a clever costume is usually too much! I do enjoy gussying up occasionally though–I guess since it’s pretty infrequent, it’s almost like putting on a costume ;)
I liked a witch costume.
My Mom made me a giant Christmas present one year for Halloween. We didn’t get to go to too many houses because everyone was so amazed by the idea that we would all stand around and tal about how she made it! ;)