Embrace the Spirit of Fall & Halloween! Dressing in Costume Can Be Easy & Fun!
We made it through an unusually hot September, and we’re beginning to see evidence of fall when the leaves gift us an array of colors, temps get cooler, and pumpkins are everywhere from coffee to doorsteps. It’s also time to get ready for the last seasonal event of the last quarter of the year, All Hallow’s Eve.
Oh, you might say, “I can’t, I’ll pass, or I’ve outgrown these festivities.” We, at Gold Medal Home Health say, “NONSENSE!” Everyone can have fun on Halloween if they choose. It’s a great opportunity to live a fantasy and become your favorite character or thing for a few hours. If you want to partake you shouldn’t let anything prevent you from joining in even if your plans are to celebrate at home and forgo the trip around the neighborhood.
Are we getting some interest from you yet? If so, we have some ideas to suggest that are easy to do even if you are not a costume designer. Before we get into the nitty gritty our predictions are that over the next few weeks you will be introduced to this year’s costume favs. We bet you might be able to guess a few (Hint: the 2023 list toppers are Barbie and Ken and Top Gun’s Maverick). If you are not a fan of pink or leather the old standards are always good, e.g., cat/dog, donkey, cowboy/cowgirl, witch/wizard, unicorn, Mr./Ms. Potato Head, etc. Just use your imagination and you don’t need a big budget to do it yourself.
Most craft stores have the materials you’ll need to create your own costume. The key is to make sure that it is easy to wear, loose and comfortable. Here are three adaptive costume ideas:
1. A Creature of Comfort – All you need is a sweatshirt (with or without a hood) and sweatpants to start. That blank canvas can be adorned with many add-ons secured with a few stitches, some glue or tape. So, if your choice is a bat and you have an old black umbrella here you’ll find an easy solution for the wings courtesy of Mothernatured.com.
2. Your Favorite Hero – Maybe you want to rule the Wild West as a cowboy or cowgirl. The hat and bandanna are key in addition to jeans and a flannel shirt. If you prefer to be a wizard then you’ll want a cape and wand.
3. Feeling Spooky – The options are endless, but two popular choices are a witch or ghost. With both choices a cape, which can be made from black material or an old white sheet, is a must with a pointed hat and broom for the witch.
Finally, everyone wants to have an enjoyable experience so when holding a get-together where individuals with special needs are among the guests, be conscious of sensory triggers like flashing lights, smoke/fog machines and loud noises or music that can cause discomfort. Try to keep the scary decorations and special effects understated to prohibit anxiety. Lastly, be sure that all pathways are clear so everyone can move around easily and safely.
Have a fun and Happy Halloween!