>>Has creativity dropped off the face of the earth in favor of store bought costumes?<<

Yes, it has, but for several reasons, IMHO.   Back in the 1950's, when I did my halloweening,  most of us kids had a lot more free time, and we had stay at home mom's who helped us make those costumes.  I remember having more fun making those things than wearing them.  Our access to entities that we wanted to make was very limited when compared to today's standards, so some of my family enjoyed just making a costume that represented a regular animal-they loved doing the cow.

Wouldn't it be something if we had a pre halloween day....stay at home and make your costume day?

James1

And, in my city, the religious right is making sounds about Halloween being used to exemplify and honor Satan.  I know of a few parents who a rethinking the whole concept of Halloween.

James1

>>>the religious right is making sounds about Halloween being used to exemplify and honor Satan<<<

What a bunch of hooey! They need only to 'google' halloween to read the actual history of the day. It's actually more Christian and Celtic than they'd want to admit. What's with the religious right that they have to have something to complain about? I'm starting to worry about the level of stupidity in these groups. They'll believe anything their pastors tell them rather than to investigate something themselves.

If parents want to rethink the whole concept of Halloween, let them begin with the concept of ringing doorbells and asking for candy! The kids don't need to do anything other than ring that bell and shout 'trick or treat'.
Here in Holland the kids come around on the 11th of November (Saint Maarten's Day) and carry lanterns. They ring the doorbell and SING a SONG for their treats. That means they have to learn a couple of songs and get out there and sing for their supper!

kathleen

Right.  Except kids haven't got a fully formed frontal cortex yet. 

kathleen