These days I kinda just consider Halloween to be pregaming for Christmas, but that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy doing a lil somethin’ somethin’ to celebrate the holiday.
There’s almost always been a member of my extended family who has taken it upon themselves to spend months planning and prepping for a spectacular party.
October 28th, 2023
Maaaany years back my aunt and uncle would set up a haunted tractor ride, or a haunted garage — and I can’t tell you what was more fun, walking through the elaborate setup (which miraculously somehow felt much, much larger than it actually was), or getting to hide in it and spray the unsuspecting visitors with silly string.
Halloween 2001, and 2003
When I was 7, another one of my uncles introduced us to his alter ego, Edwin McQuist. I can still remember the day that we got a letter and an introduction-DVD in the mail from Edwin, and how excited we were to attend the extravagant party in his little apartment.
There was an abundance of magic tricks, dry ice, mars sand, and so much laughter. In Mom’s scrapbook she noted that, “the kids loved it and talked about it for days!”
Edwin McQuist — Halloween 2005
Later, when my uncle got married to my aunt, they threw elaborate Halloween parties together at their house. I can recall the feeling of watching my uncle (in a hilarious shorty-shorts get-up, and, if I remember correctly, fishnets) fight the “live dragon”, created out of a working bucket truck, while all my family and friends laughed on the sidelines.
Of course, these parties ended shortly after my little cousin was born (sad, I know). I guess they just took too much planning with troublesome lil toddlers running around.
Halloween 2000
And then, for a handful of years, there weren’t many Halloween parties at all. I had to celebrate the holiday in little ways, like making matching costumes for me and my ferrets and guinea pigs, and carving pumpkins with my sisters.
I didn’t wanna let the holiday completely pass me by (I love all things autumn), but at the same time, there just wasn’t much to do.
Halloween 2021
So last year, when my third aunt decided to throw a Halloween bash, it was very reminiscent of the good ol’ days. And this year, when she hosted again, it was even better.
You can never trust me when I say I’m not dressing up, because no matter what, I’ll always throw something together at the last minute. A week ago I had no idea what to wear, until I watched Coraline for the first time and realized that I had almost the entire costume already in my closet.
All I had to do was buy a blue wig, and a pair of striped tights, and I was ready to go.
(let’s be honest, the wig kinda slayed)
The movie really is creepy as hell, although I won’t lie, if there was an other world™ where I was promised to be loved, the button eyes would damn sure tempt me too.
Honestly, the party couldn’t have come at a better time for me; it was just one of those weeks where I needed the distraction of good friends, and I was lucky enough to get it.
So when I found myself wanting to stay extra busy on Saturday, I headed over to my aunt’s house early to help her and my cousin put all the finishing touches together (our apple + marshmallow teeth may not have been perfect, but they were a hit, so we count it as a success).
How grateful am I for my cousin for being my emotional-support bestie, the one who I can share my late-night debauchery with, and the beautiful bride-to-be who I get to stand next to in a pink satin dress?? Hanging out with her for 8 hours straight was the highlight of my weekend.
The turnout for the party was great too, and the vibes were impeccable.
we all tried on Payne’s prize-winning pumpkin head, and the TikTok created accurately portrayed the vibes
It’s funny to watch the group change throughout the night; the kids and parents disappear first, and then the rest of the adults dwindle. Soon you’re just left with a small circle of people warming up around a bonfire under the full moon, talking about weird things, like childhood snacks and who your aunt dated in highschool.
I didn’t wanna go home and be alone, so therefore I was really taking care of my mental health by being one of the last ones to leave (it’s called self-care, look it up).
And that’s kinda the bittersweet part about growing up: I feel like my childhood was set to a soundtrack of my beloved parents and aunts and uncles and grandparents laughing around kitchen tables, and campfires while I drifted off to sleep, but now it’s us — the kids — laughing around the kitchen tables and campfires.
And there were no curfews, just drive safely’s and text me when you get home’s and I love you’s.
And, honestly, I kinda carried that warmth into the next day when I ate dinner with Taylor and Agnes and little baby Edgar, and we carved pumpkins together.
Because even though I bought two pumpkins a month ago with the firm intention of carving them with *cough* a boy *cough*, the universe laughed at me.
Maybe next year.
Edgar is growing up and turning into an adorable monster (we’re bffs)
Thank goodness for sisters. And thank goodness for cousins, and friends. And thank goodness for silly glowsticks and Polaroid pictures and full moons and hair that smells like wood smoke the next day 🖤
(now it’s officially time to break out the Christmas garlands and put up the tree)
art by jordan rae 