Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year.*  When else can you dress up like someone or something completely different? When else do people give you candy just for being cute?  It's a great day to shock or surprise people or just make them laugh a little.

I like that Halloween takes a little work and a little creativity.  I like that as adults, not everyone is into it.  It helps me identify "my kind of people" just a little easier.

Really, I know that no explanation is necessary. You people get me.

Jill's Personal Guidelines for Halloween Costume Greatness** 

1. Costumes should not come pre-packaged from the store. I can buy pieces to my costume, but buying the whole outfit is slightly cheating.
2. Following the rule above, the separate pieces of my costume should not cost more than $10-$15 total. My most expensive costume to date was last year's Diet Pepsi that rang in at about $15.  My cheapest costume was the Ipod from 2007, which cost me nothing. This year's costume cost me $1.71.
3. A better costume is one where people instantly know what I'm supposed to be.  This is not a requirement, but it generally makes for less frustrating day.
4. Think outside of the box. Objects are some of my favorite costumes, because they are unexpected.
5. No pain, no gain.  Awesome costumes can end up making it difficult to sit down or cause back or neck pain. It is worth it. Push through it.

What would a Halloween post be without some pictures? To see some of my favorite costumes, past and present, click "Read More."

Cabbage Patch Kid, circa 1984.

Dorothy, circa 1985

Ipod, 2007

South Carolina Driver's License, 2008

Jill Christine, 2009

Diet Pepsi, 2010

My inspiration for this year's costume, my niece Natalie Grace as Minnie Mouse.

 Minnie Mouse, 2011***

What do you think of my Halloween costume guidelines?  Do you have any rules that you follow in costuming?  What are you dressed as this Halloween?

*You should know that I am no fan of horror or scarey-ness.  Just costumes and candy and perhaps a little pumpkin carving on the side, please and thank you.
**These are personal guiding principles for my own costume development over the years. I do not judge others who may or may not subscribe to the same costume beliefs I do.
***I admit, it is not as elaborate as in previous years, but the costume was just for work wear this year. I needed something practical that I could sit at a computer in all day.