Wicked, But Only in a Good Way

I always wanted to be a Witch for Halloween. It was the one costume I never did wear in all my Halloween years. I finally did, as an adult handing out candy to children trick-or-treating at my sister's house. I had tried to make spending the night at the door not seem so bad. So I bought a witch hat from a department store the day of Halloween.

It was kind of picked over but that just added to it's charm I decided. I wore a long black skirt (it was the same skirt I wore for my winter wedding) and a sort of Halloween looking shirt. So that was my Witch costume after all those years of wanting to be a Halloween Witch.

I looked okay but nothing as I had always imagined it. Not the floor sweeping black gown, the pointed hat and fabulous, yet creepy shoes. No history or mystery to that costume.

We always made or created our own costumes when I was a young trick-or-treater. We never bought an entire, pre-made, costume. Instead we bought the odd accessory and created costumes from patterns, fabric and old clothes. We were the kids who carried around pillow cases for our candy hoard - they worked great but got kind of heavy. Halloween costumes were fun because we could be creative and become something unique. Sure we did the standard things like angels and vagabonds but I won an award at the Community Centre for my hula girl costume with a real grass skirt.

Start with the Witch Hat

I especially like the hats with a veil, feathers and other extras. They look like an old fashioned hat, vintage witch. I also like colours other than black. My perfect Witch hat would be either green or purple with a good quality veil in layers. I'd have flowers around the brim and little jeweled spiders hanging from the veil.

Every Witch Needs a Stylish Gown

The Witch dress I would like would be long, flowing and old fashioned. An historical gown, something kind of stylish but maybe a touch of something unique, like polka dots. No need for a Witch costume to be all black, dark and serious after all.

The Witch Shoes and Cloak Too

I'd want shoes I could walk in. Some of the costume shops have a cover for your own shoes. This is practical but... shoe covers don't seem quite the thing for a fabulously styled Witch.

Shopping for a Sorceress

I like to look at the Witch costumes and accessories online each Halloween. Just for fun.

Window shopping is a great way to shop without the horror of charging up your credit card (but sadly lacking the delivery of boxes with presents you sent yourself later).

Quick and Simple Costumes for Men

Men don't always want to dress up for Halloween. My brother stopped dressing up once he became a teenager but he would still take the younger siblings out to trick-or-treat - just not wearing a costume himself. Now and then he will do something for Halloween like buying candy for his wife to hand out at the door.

I think he still would like to dress up and have fun but, he thinks it is not quite manly. I think he would like to wear something fun, if he didn't think it would spoil his image as a tough guy. So, I'm putting together ideas for simple costumes he might wear and not feel silly in.

Once I got looking I found some good options. All of them one item wonders - just one thing (T-shirt, tie, glasses, etc) and he could have a whole costume with whatever he happened to be wearing or wanted to pull out of his closet. He does have suits from his days working in an office. He also has loads of working clothes from his work on home renovations and landscaping now. So, he is not short at all on clothing to wear, stuff that could work for Halloween. He just needs the inspiration and the personal shopper to give him some great options and ideas.

Costume Ideas for Men:

Before you step out decide whether or not you want to be seen in the costume you have created. If not, start over but don't give up.

• Cowboy
• Space alien
• Super hero
• Hippie
• Old man
• Tycoon
• Police officer
• Handyman
• Angel
• Vampire
• Sports figure
• Monster
• Zombie
• Ghost
• Trucker
• Doctor
• Surfer
• Waiter
• Statue
• Vagabond
• Farmer
• Nerd
• Knight
• King
• Wizard
• Frankenstein
• Mad scientist
• Mad hatter
• Lawyer
• Politician
• Hockey player
• Mechanic
• Poker player
• Lion tamer
• Thief

Have you ever written a letter from Santa Claus in reply to your (or other/ any) children? J.R.R. Tolkien wrote letters and created illustrations which he mailed to his children - he wrote letters from Father Christmas.

The first letters were written to Tolkien's son, John, when he was just three. Tolkien wrote about his (Santa's) travels and adventures and gave the letter a stamps and postage marks which he drew himself. Sometimes the letter was written by Santa's secretary, an elf. Other characters and helpers came into the story through letters, like the North Polar Bear and his cubs,

The letters were written from 1920 to 1942 and were released posthumously by the Tolkien estate. Earlier editions did not have all the letters and drawings. In 1999 the book was republished with more of the original letters and drawings. The book was also changed from the first title: 'The Father Christmas Letters' to the current title ' Letters from Father Christmas'.

Canada Post will reply to all letters to Santa Claus. Send the letter to:

Santa Claus North Pole HOH OHO Canada

I never wrote a letter to Santa Claus when I was a child. I was the oldest of four and maybe just too serious in all the responsibility of looking after younger brother and sisters. Instead of being the one writing to Santa I wrote for Santa. I left letters from Santa with the milk and cookies and carrots for his reindeers. My parents took a nibble of cookies and I drank the milk (I still love milk). We put the carrots back in the fridge but left some of the green tops as evidence. Then I wrote a reply, pretending to be Santa Claus. Just a simple note, not a full, long winded letter. Santa was pretty busy after all.

Did you ever write a letter to Santa Claus?

• Yes, many times over the years.
• Yes, I still write a letter to Santa each Christmas.
• Yes, now I write letters to Santa with (my) children.
• No. I'm too naughty to hope for anything but a lump of coal anyway.
• No. I leave it for the children.
• No, but I do write replies from Santa Claus for the children.
• No. We don't celebrate Christmas.
• No. I'm a Scrooge.

Long ago I was a bride, looking for just the right ring for the man I was going to marry. I knew I wanted both of us to have a ring. I knew he was ok with the idea, though perhaps not as enthusiastic as I would have liked. I also knew, from growing up with a brother, the ring I picked for him would have to be plainer, less romantic and sturdier than the ring he was picking out for me.

So I had a general idea in mind as I went ring shopping. I went by myself. I could have taken spectators but I liked being out there and doing this romantic and happy thing with just my own thoughts and opinions. (I did get a ride to the store with my Mom and she was the first person to see the ring I picked out).

I Especially Like this Claddagh Ring for a Bridegroom

It was not this Claddagh ring which I noticed on Amazon today. I would have picked this one if I had seen it. I think it’s about as perfect as I would have liked at the time. I like the tradition and history being the Irish/ Celtic symbol of the Claddagh. I think my husband would have liked it too. Plus, it fits with the plan of sturdy, plain and simple. A fairly thick band without much sticking up in odd places and nothing that will possibly fall off and be lost.

I was happy with the ring I did pick for him. It was a plain gold band with small (tiny you might call them) diamonds in a row on the front of the band. It was also sturdy, simple and plain. He still has it.

Other choices for men's wedding rings or wedding bands.

There are far more options than a plain gold band.

Consider different metals versus the standard gold. Wedding bands can be far more durable than gold these days. A man who works with his hands would be better with a ring made from harder metals which are also less pricey than gold, silver or platinum (as a side benefit).

Consider how flashy he is versus comfortable and everyday casual. Will he like a ring with extras like engraving, diamonds or designs. If he tends to be plain, traditional or if his career expects him to look a certain way (reliable or trendy and fashionable) that is something to work around.

Don't forget this is something he will wear for a long time, every day. Get the ring sized right. Or, make sure it can be returned to be resized. (This is a good thing down the road as we don't always keep the same ring size we had when we were 20, or 30).

If you know the ring is "the one" get it inscribed inside the band. It may be a bit corny and old fashioned, but some traditions are worth keeping. Even if he isn't the type to appreciate a romantic gesture, most men will still like that you thought of it.

Anti-Father's Day isn't (or shouldn't) be about being angry.

It is for people who do not fit into the whole package of Happy Father's Day. It gives us permission to grieve, to feel hurt, to feel lost or sad, or angry or upset, or anything of a thousand and one other emotions. Regret included.

I did not have a good relationship with my Father. When he died over ten years ago I did not understand why I grieved. A friend told me I was regretting that now nothing could ever change. Our relationship could never have any chance to get better because he died and that ended all hope.

Anti-Father's Day acknowledges that Father's Day does not have the same meaning and happy feelings for everyone. Happy Fatherless Day! (June 13th)

You're not the only one who has a troubled relationship with their Father.

Anti-Father's Day is not about having a less than ideal relationship with your Father.

It isn't about wishing things could be great rather than just good. Anti-Father's Day is for people who suffered and may still suffer. It recognizes that not everyone had the life where buying a Father's Day card was just like in the commercials, the family TV shows, or right out of the pages of a glossy magazine.

Everyone who celebrates Anti-Father's Day should be doing so without bitterness. On this one day, let it go. Choose to make this day about yourself rather than past emotions. Don't buy that Father's Day card and be okay with that decision. Don't feel guilty. Don't feel you owe him a card because that's what you see on some TV show. Don't make a cake. Don't plan a party. Don't even visit him, or his grave. (Unless you can do so without bitterness, pain or pettiness).

Do something just for yourself on Anti-Father's Day.

If you are a Father yourself, spend the time with your children. Give them the Father's Day you wish you had had with your own Father.

If you are an Uncle, or a brother, spend the time with your extended family, especially any children who don't have a Father and would love to have the Father's Day other kids have been talking about.

If you want to make this day something just for yourself rather than give time to others, don't feel guilty because you don't need permission. Seize the day. Go to the local zoo, museum, take a road trip, go to a sporting event of your choice. Do something you have wanted to do but did not have the time - make Father's Day your own day to enjoy. Give yourself better memories.