Every year, I swear Halloween sneaks up on us like the insane candy prices we pretend doesn’t exist. One minute it’s August, and you’re telling yourself you’ll be prepared this year. The next minute, it’s October 20th and you’re panic-ordering a costume that costs more than your high school prom dress — and praying it arrives before the 31st.
Just kidding….actually… funny story…. my mom waited until the last minute to buy my prom dress junior year and paid over $400 for it (yikes!) It was gorgeous, but she did say I had be married and buried in it lol… I would not spend that on my daughter’s halloween costume lol…
Anyway, back to Halloween.
Last year my daughter decided she had to be Harley Quinn. Simple, right? Nope. We went through several versions of “Harley” — “cute Harley,” “classic Harley,” “but-make-it-sparkly Harley” — until I finally just picked one and called it done. She was super cute! Tattooed and all! The bat was a big hit as well!
This year? She’s Rumi from K-Pop Demon Hunters. Yup, and apparently the costume is harder to find than a parking spot at Target the night before Halloween. At least that will arrive on time and even now it is ordered and always an anxiety game on of it will get here on time! It says it will… but we shall see!
Between the shipping fees, accessories, and “but I have to have the purple hair and the body demon tattoos, Mom,” I could’ve practically booked a mini session — which, by the way, would have lasted longer than the costume.
The Mom Struggle Is Real
Why are costumes so expensive now? When we were kids, a plastic mask and a garbage-bag-style poncho from Walmart were enough to make you feel like royalty. Now it’s all LED wings, specific boots or shoes to polish the costume, and imported fabrics that apparently double as college savings accounts, jk… I like to be dramatic sometimes.
But let’s be honest — we’ll still do it. Because the moment they put it on, strike that little superhero (or K-pop star) pose, and light up with excitement… it’s worth every Amazon refresh and credit card sigh… and I only have one kido I have to worry about right now! Some of you super hero moms have 4 or more!
Trick-or-Treating the Memories
Even though Halloween can feel like chaos in costume form and the night turns late and ends in a sugar high bouncing off the walls… then the sugar crash… and trying to rub off the paint stains on our kids faces for church that following Sunday… these are the moments that become our favorite memories. The laughter, the sugar rushes, the family photos where someone’s vampire cape is always falling off — another one’s had enough and is having a meltdown… those are the treasures that stick.
While after all of that your bank account says no to halloween pictures, don’t forget to pull out your cell phone and take some pictures to freeze that moment! I personally love the memories that pop up on my phone every year… then I have my “awww” moment….
BUT!! After that, make sure to put your phone up!! Yes, I’m a photographer telling you to put your phone up and enjoy the moment with your kidos… next year they will be a whole year older and you don’t want to look back and think dang it, I was on my phone all night and I missed everything! The stories, memories, laughs and giggles, the scared looks on your kidos faces when you take them tick-or-treating… You want your kidos to remember that you held their hand and ran with them… laughing or screaming!
So moms, take a breath. You’re doing amazing. Whether the costume shows up on time or you end up crafting one out of duct tape and determination the night before, your kids are going to remember the laughter — not the tracking number.
Happy Halloween, from one tired (and slightly broke) mom to another. 
Abstract Photography 