What's your favorite type of Halloween Costume?

Halloween is fast approaching! If you participate in the holiday, have you already chosen your costume? How big of a deal is it for you and your friends? Do you plan all year for your big costume reveal? Or, do you throw on the tried and true black cape and skeleton mask?

In my latest short story, A Halloween Tail, Lionel Baker is all about the pec-baring, booty-shorted pirate costume he is confident will turn heads. Unfortunately, his older sister has something a little more family-friendly in mind for when he takes his niece out Trick-or-Treating. Those of us who remember a certain, kids television show that came out around 1992, might have an idea of just what kind of purple monstrosity of a costume he ends up wearing. How is he supposed to find a guy waring that?

Choosing the right Halloween costume can be a big deal when celebrating the holiday. The choices are practically endless. Do we go for something a little sexy? Something sweet? Do we want to make a statement, or simply be funny? Should we wear something character-based or express our individuality? Do we make our own or rent/buy something already put together? And what if we want a couple's costume? These are the difficult decisions than can drive us nuts.

As yesterday's heavy snow reminded me, Trick-or-Treating in Michigan adds an entirely different dimensions to costume choices. We either come up with a couple of options and keep a keen eye on the weather report, or we chose a costume that allows for plenty of warm layers underneath, and preferably something waterproof. I've seen more than one sexy prince, pirate, or (my personal favorite) Vampirella outfit ruined by an unexpected snowstorm or heavy rain.

As the years go by, I tend to pick my costumes on the basis of comfort and more than once I've attended a party in a pair of old-fashioned men's flannel pajamas with a skeleton make-up on any and all exposed skin. How about you? Do you change things up every year or do you stick to a favorite? And, if forced to make the same decision as Lionel, would you wear the big purple dinosaur outfit in public?