Cold Halloween

I’m a Mainer Mama, and I’m guessing if you are a New England Mama as well you might share the following memories with me: Tick or Treating in the snow,  arguing with your folks as they cover up your costume with bulky winter coats, or of course the stripping off of the winter gear in the car before running up to a house yelling “Trick or Treat” through chattering teeth and racing back to the warmth of the car before the miniature snickers hit the bottom of your bag. 

If the past week’s temperatures are any indication of what we might be enduring on Halloween, it’s going to be cold, very cold, maybe even freezing.  What’s a hip mama to do? Is it possible to keep your kid warm AND happy on Halloween?

Last year I lucked out. Maggie wanted to be a pumpkin, so bought her a one piece zip up hooded pumpkin suit that was like a thick pair of pajamas. We put that over a pair of pajamas, and we were good to go. She was happy, and super warm. It should be noted however, that last year she was only 2, so we didn’t have to trick or treat for long, and she was pretty compliant when it came to the PJ’s over PJ’s situation. This year, it looks like she wants to be a fairy-witch, though she has also mentioned being a pirate or a ghost, and number of other options. Nonetheless none of them sound particularly warm.

The trick I have decided is going to be all about layers. Maggie will be wearing thick tights and a thin warm shirt under her costume which I’m probably going to make since I’ve noticed that there aren’t a lot of costumes with sleeves out there, probably because the rest of the country isn’t on the verge of a deep freeze by October 31.  I may even purchase a set of toddler sized long-johns.  What are long-johns? Those white waffle weaved shirts and leggings warn by outdoors men and grunge aficionados.  Of course finding black ones might prove difficult.  Thick socks are always a good option, if you don’t have to squeeze them into ballet slippers, and if you can think of a costume that utilizes a hat or hood, even better.

Unless you can convince your child that being a snowmobile rider, or artic explorer are all the rage this year, chances are it’s going to take some finesse to get them to agree to throwing on a pair of long johns under their Bat Man costume.  I plan on reminding Maggie that wearing warm clothes under her costume is going to be a lot more fun than wearing her winter parka OVER her costume, which I’m sure I’ll be carrying a long with us, just in case.

photo credit: revjim5000

Kate Kastelein is a stay at home mom, freelance writer, and life long Mainer. When she’s not writing or chasing her daughter, she works on a farm part-time, cooks, scours yard-sales, knits, and tries unsuccessfully to keep her free range chicken flock off the porch. In order to keep up with everything she drinks way to much coffee.