A few years ago those “You know you’re from Canada when…” and “You know you’re from Vancouver when…” lists were forwarded from inbox to inbox and have now settled in nicely as Facebook pages for the masses to read and chuckle to themselves, “hehe, it’s funny because it’s true.” One item that was always on the list for “You know you’re from Vancouver when…” was something like, “…You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.”
Tonight will be a soggy one, that’s pretty much for certain. So once you bundle up your little vampires, monsters, and Hannah Montanas here are some tips to keep them safe.
Raincoats and garbage bag ponchos will keep them dry but make sure to slap on some reflective tape, some of those blinky light-up shoes, or something else that will still make your children visible in the dark.
Carry a flashlight, have them carry a flashlight (I recommend one of those fun ones where it’s like a Jack-o-Lantern head).
Remember the importance of cross-walks. A lot of vehicles won’t be out tonight (except maybe downtown since it is Friday) but make sure not to walk in the street and be sure to cross at intersections. This does make the most sense if you have an efficient candy-collection route plotted anyway.
Start earlier – maybe even before dinner time since it will probably get dark before 5:00pm today.
“No lights, no candy.” That was always our motto, only visit houses that have their lights on – and beware of any stuffed scarecrows out on the front porch cause there’s probably someone in that costume just waiting to scare the bejesus out of you.
Always go through your child’s candy before you let them eat it. Take out all the unwrapped items (and popcorn kernels that guy just tossed in from his own bowl from by the TV because he forgot to get candy but still wanted to give the kids something anyway). Also stay away from homemade items and fresh fruit. Fruit leather on the other hand mmmm keep that.
Also make sure they can move around in their costumes. There was this one time I went as a big present for Halloween, which basically meant I put myself in a box, cut out arm holes and stuck a bow on my head. Unfortunately the arm holes were on the sides of the box so I couldn’t reach around the front to hold out my candy bag. I think at one point it got stapled to the box but when it got too heavy I was outta luck, but I digress.
The Shaw Pumpkin Patrol will also be on duty in neighbourhoods around the Lower Mainland. Be safe and have fun!
For those staying in tonight, tethered to computers or mobile devices, consider playing along with Trick or Tweet.
4 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Nice post. Happy Halloween!
Aww… I missed driving around in a Shaw Blue Van this year. It’s been a tradition ever since I began working there and totally overlooked it. Mind you, I guess the commute back from the UK would have been killer..
Tonight I’m taking Maya out, my three-year old. We got her a cat costume, which is basically a fur body suit for warmth, but not so much for precipitation. I didn’t account for the rain at all, which may put me on the list for “you know you’re not originally from Vancouver when…”. Next year maybe we can organize an amphibian-related costume. Of course, then it won’t rain.
Thanks for the pointers!
Woo Hoo! No rain in North Delta! And it’s warm! It’s an All Hallows Eve miracle!