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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Observer

Some spooky season shenanigans

Last year, I could not believe how big of a deal Halloween was in college, but there was something so fun about watching a bunch of 20ish year olds running around playing make-believe for the night. 

Growing up, I had a closet of costumes in my basement with a bin full of different identities I could don whenever I felt a pull toward the imaginary. Armed with a sheriff’s badge on my chest, chef’s hat on my head, princess’s gown down to my feet or a wild combination of all three, I could dive into a world of my own making.

This year, I could not think of what I wanted to be for Halloween, so I turned to my box of childhood pictures for some inspiration. I deputized my mom to send me some pictures of my most iconic looks from over the years. 

Inspired by Aidan O’Malley’s power rankings, come along with me for a trip down my own memory lane.

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  1. Princess

Pretty basic, but I mean, look at that face. She had to make the list. 

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  1. (Angsty) Angel

This is my era of refusing to smile with my teeth, so I was unintentionally an angel that “isn’t like other angels.” I definitely thought I was smiling, but, my goodness, why do I look so moody? I had a pillowcase full of chocolate next to me, I had nothing to be upset about.

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  1. Minnie Maggie Mouse

Doesn’t this face scream: “Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!”

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  1. *itch (The asterisk is a “W” — get your mind out of the gutter)

I was definitely going for a mysterious, spooky, sultry look here. My dress was velvet, my face was green (with a drawn-on mole) and my hair was popping OFF.

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  1. If you believe, wherever you are, clap your hands, and she’ll hear you. Clap! Clap!

I think this was around the age where I became addicted to the Tinker Bell movies and the video game “Pixie Hollow Online.” 

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  1. Maggiebug

She looks cozy. I want one. Do they sell ladybug onesies this fluffy for adults?

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  1. Klaers, Sherlock Klaers

If I suddenly disappear, I want her on the case. But also, check the trunk of Colin Shea’s car.

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  1. Madeline

We’ve already established that I was a moody, difficult child, but in case you weren’t convinced, this picture is the final nail in the coffin. I loved anything French, so, naturally, I was obsessed with the daring little French girl of the book series “Madeline.”

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  1. Little Bunny Foo Foo

If you told this little girl that her family would have a bunny when she turned 19, her tiny little bunny tail would be wagging so hard. Girly was obsessed with rabbits, and I suppose she still is. 

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  1. Fairy Princess Poker Chip

I’m pretty sure all of my cousins had a group costume that year that was poker-themed, but that wasn’t pretty enough for me. This was also the Halloween that I whacked my cousin (pictured on the left) over the head with my fairy wand because I wanted to ring the next doorbell and I thought that maybe if I concussed her I would have a head start. Ruthless.

You can contact Maggie at mklaers@nd.edu
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.