This year my daughter will celebrate her eighth Halloween. I can easily remember each costume she has worn. There was the blue cow, a hooded sleeper borrowed from a neighbor, and the lion, handed down from cousins in Missouri. My favorite was the year she dressed as a cowgirl. The little red shirt with white piping she worn was mine from childhood. I wore it for my second Halloween. My sister wore it, and her daughter wore it.
The arrival of my second meant the opportunity for costume duets! My oldest wore a dress and tiara from her princess collection (hand-me-downs and gifts) and shoes that still fit from Christmas. My youngest wore a pea costume borrowed from a neighbor. Ah, yes, the Princess and the Pea! Continuing the princess theme, my girls dressed as Ariel and Sebastian. The next year I had to get in on the fun, and we were a Wizard of Oz trio - repeat of the lion costume and borrowed dresses.
The photo you see above is from last year, when we got creative with "A Little Bit Country, and a Little Bit Rock-n-Roll!" And, yes, my youngest wore that same red cowgirl shirt from my childhood!
I have yet to BUY a Halloween costume for my daughters. But I can still remember the only store-bought costume from my childhood. I was five, and it was Strawberry Shortcake. And you know what? I ended up not liking that plastic smock and impossible-to-see-through mask.
So here's the thing. National Costume Swap Day is about showing our children a better way to celebrate! Because something as simple as a costume swap does make a difference. "Swapping the costumes of only half of the children who celebrate Halloween would reduce annual landfill waste by 6,250 tons!"
Admittedly, swapping costumes is a shift in the way kids think; it has become the norm to decide what you "want to be" and then head to the nearest box store and buy an expensive new costume. A swap offers children the chance to make a costume decision with an open-mind and possibilities laid out before them!
Here's the bottom line: Halloween has become a holiday filled with traditions that are unhealthy for our children and our planet. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to serve as role models. Participating in a costume swap not only encourages celebrating in a way that is healthier and more earth-conscience, but it also empowers our children to think about how small changes can have a big impact. All while still having fun!
Anytime between now and October 3rd, participants are encouraged to drop off swap-able costumes during business hours at one of these locations:
- Small Threads for Kids | 1480 NW Gilman Blvd # 3 | Issaquah
- CleanScapes Store in Gilman Village | 317 NW Gilman Blvd, #22 | Issaquah
In exchange for costume(s) you will be given a Swap Ticket to be brought back for the event on October 4th from 8:00 am to 9:30 am at Small Threads for Kids.
Yes, this is a the same day as the Salmon Days Parade, but you'll be done swapping before the parade even starts! Plus Small Threads is conveniently located near two of the shuttle stops, so plan to swap, shop, and then hop a ride to the big parade!
If you’re a little reluctant to give swapping a try, local businesses are providing great incentives. In addition to swapping, you can also shop with 20% discount off purchases at Small Threads and get a discount on childcare before noon at Adventure Kids Playcare. To make sure you get to the swap on time, AKP is opening early at 7:00 am. If you're new to AKP, be sure you've filled out 1st Visit Forms. Both offers are only valid during the event on October 4th.
