Whatever happened to Henry?

Trick-or-treating is one of those things you don't really THINK about--it's just fun.

The only thing is--and you usually hear this about the secular version of the observance of Christmas--it's so darn commercial. The costumes are cute, sure. Some were downright impressive. I saw a few in our neigborhood tonight that could get an Oscar nod if someone captured them with a camcorder. Even my own little goblins were outfitted in aawwwwww-inspiring costumes I bought online.

It's a far cry from the labor of imagination that inevitably led to pillaging my mother's bureau or the kitchen cabinets. One year, I wore my mom's college graduation gown and a witch's hat made from black construction paper. Another year, I was a gypsy, with Mom's jewelry, makeup and scarves. But I remember the kid who came to the school Halloween party as Henry VIII. He had his dad's bathrobe and a pillow stuffed underneath to simulate the ravenous king's girth and a homemade crown with "jewels" pasted on. He even had a chicken leg to gnaw on. He considered bringing one of those rubber masks and pretending it was the head of one of his wives, but he thought that might be a little over the top (this was the 80s, when we were still trying to get over the shock of "Thriller" on cable). Fast-forward a few years to an office costume party. One couple was dressed in black from head to toe, with cat ears and a cat tail, and picture frames around their necks. They were cat burglars, and of course, they were framed. (ha, ha, ah, ahem...) Another friend, Adrienne, was wearing an early-20th century gown and had spray-painted herself with frosty body paint, with fake icecicles glued to her skin and in her gel-slickened hair. She was a Titanic victim, she explained. Another year, a friend had raided her neighbor's closet to become Joan d'Arc.

Tonight, I saw mostly pre-manufactured costumes, most in keeping with the year's blockbusters. To be sure, there were pirates a-plenty. And there were old favorites: Minnie Mouse, Cat-in-the-Hat, Spiderman, all perfectly executed. But I have to admit, there was part of me that would have liked to have seen another homemeade Henry.

Just before the candy ran its course and the porch light went out, there was this one kid who really made me smile, as up the sidewalk came a sheet with eye holes cut out. He probably wasn't going to win a free Happy Meal at the school's fall festival, but he got my vote for the best costume of the night.

Just don't tell my two nylon and acrylic kitty cats.