For many people, the December holiday season is their favorite time of year. A fresh layer of snow, a crackling fireplace, and plenty of holiday cheer.
For others, it may be Thanksgiving. A time to gather with family and loved ones, and remember everything we are thankful for.
My favorite holiday is Halloween.
By the time I got to sixth grade, I was over store-bought costumes. I wanted to be Link, from the "Legend of Zelda" video game series, and that wasn't something you could get off the rack.
So I went ahead and made it myself.
Thus began my tradition of hand-crafting my yearly costume. A painted shield from the Renaissance Faire, a wooden sword and an over-sized green shirt provided the tunic for my first attempt.
Since then, I have been Link on several more occasions (each incarnation getting better and more refined). I spent months on armor for Boba Fett. I made a painstakingly screen-accurate Captain Kirk uniform from the new movies. I wowed many a Halloween party with my Star-Lord costume.
From left to right: Boba Fett, the 10th Doctor, Star-Lord
It's one thing to run to Party City and grab any old costume. For most people, that might be plenty sufficient (I probably expend a bit too much time and effort on my creations). However, there are fewer moments I'm more proud of than when someone says, "That costume is so cool! Where did you get it?" And I get to look at them slyly and say, "Actually, I made it."
Costuming has become more than just a once-per-year event for me, as well. In case it hasn't become abundantly clear through my previous articles, I'm a bit of a nerd. So, naturally, I go to comic conventions and, of course, you have to dress for the occasion. If I don't get my costume as finished as I'd like for Halloween, I get it nice and polished for Minneapolis' Wizard World Comic Con in the spring. Normally I'm a bit of a wallflower, but conventions are my time to shine. It is extremely gratifying to have people stop and compliment my hard work and ask for pictures.
Similar to my love of Lego, there is a simple joy in creating something with my own hands. Some might think it excessive, spending weeks sewing, painting, and crafting (And sometimes it certainly does border on obsession making sure each detail is exactly right), but at the end of the day, I get to say I made it myself.
So, with Halloween quickly approaching, don't go out and buy a costume. Run to Goodwill or JoAnn's and get to crafting. Even if it's not that great, spend a little time and make something yourself. I think you'll be glad you did.
