Wednesday, October 1, 2014

DIY Halloween Costume Ideas



There is no Halloween in Ecuador.

The celebration is actually illegal in schools due to a presidential decree.

The idea behind it is that Halloween is not original for Ecuador and the schools should celebrate the autochthonous holidays instead.

BUTTERFLY GIRLS



What Ecuador does celebrate, is November 1st of Day of the Deceased.

Similar to the Mexican Day of the Dead but not quite the same.

Here the festivity is more about visiting your family member’s graves and celebrating their lives.

JUST IN CASE IT IS NOT CLEAR, THIS IS COSTUME OF A HOUSE FLY.

ANOTHER FLY

Most of the Ecuadorians spend the day in the graveyard, talking, eating, drinking, laughing, dancing and playing football by the graves.

The deceased family members are informed about everything that has been going on in the lives of the living family.

Who has a new boyfriend, who got married, who got a baby, every scandal, happy occasion and rumor is visited and passed on.

A BEE WITH HER FAVORITE FLOWER

TWO ANTS

The most traditional ones place part of the food and drink on the grave, for the loved ones to enjoy.

But not having Halloween celebrations is no reason for Ecuadorian’s to not dress up in a costume and have fun.

There are various days when the children have a good reason for a costume.

THE FLINTSTONES


And if there is no reason, that’s a good reason too.

Here are some DIY costumes from my years of special education here in Ecuador.


All the costumes were made together with the special education teachers and teacher’s aids.

41 comments:

  1. That looks like so much fun and very lovely idea!

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  2. I had no idea it was illegal in schools in Ecuador! Great pictures!

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  3. I had no idea it was illegal in schools in Ecuador! I have a friend who grew up in Ecuador and moved in the US ad now Halloween is her favorite holiday! I love Day of The Dead, the sugar skulls are so beautiful <3

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  4. I love those costumes. I think Halloween must be a North American thing, or something - because I don't think it's all too popular in Ireland where my Brother & SIL used to live (and their four boys!)

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  5. it is always fun to find a good occasion to dress up. why is it illegal there?

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    1. Because it's not national holiday and part of Ecuadorian culture. It's illigal to celebrate any holidays that aren't national in the schools. There were few schools that tried to celebrate Halloween specifically and got in trouble because of that.

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  6. Soooo stickin cute! Nothing is cuter than kids in costumes :)

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  7. I had no idea it was illegal in Ecuador, that's very interesting! It's fun that there is another day to dress up, though. Love the Flintstone costumes!

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  8. i think the more holidays the better! hopefully these kind of rules will change and people are allowed to just have fun!

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  9. Great Halloween ideas for little ones - I'm so happy these kids got to have fun!

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  10. These are adorable. I always like homemade costumes more than store ones. They have more character and of course are more unique. I love that some of these kids are dressed as flies.

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  11. Oh my gosh these are all so creative! I love hand made costumes. So much more fun and creative!

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  12. Sooo cute! I love all of these DIY costume ideas!

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  13. Ah I love the Flintstones ones, now I want to dress my son up as BamBam for Halloween :)

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  14. I had no idea that Hallowe'en was illegal in Ecuador. We don't do very much as a family usually, but this year my daughter is doing a night time cycle race....dressed as a witch! Love the Flintstones costumes! Yabba dabba doo!

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  15. So much fun! I love doing DIY Halloween costumes.

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  16. Some of these costumes are so so cute! I'm glad they still found another way to dress up that is within their culture!

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  17. I love how these costumes are handmade and original. Everyone looks great!

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  18. No way! These are so fun! I love the originality of them all! SO cool!

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  19. Those Flintstones costumes are SO cute! They look like they'd be easy to make too

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  20. Interesting post, it's always great to hear about traditions outside of the USA. :)

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  21. These costumes are so cute. I love the Flinstone ones.

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  22. Whaat? Halloween, illegal? Very cute Flintstone costumes!

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  23. These are some super cute costumes! I love The Flintstone costumes the most!

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  24. I love them! They're so cute. the first photo is my fav!

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  25. The costumes are adorable. It is wonderful to celebrate your cultural holidays and dress up at the same time. Fun for the kids.

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  26. Cute costumes! And I love the emphasis on remembering loved ones that have passed away. :)

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  27. Great DIY ideas! I remember making my own costume with my mom and little sister when we were younger! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. aww, such cute costumes! and very creative!

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  29. Thanks for sharing a bit of the tradition. I absolutely adore the house fly! Too cute!

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  30. Interesting. I had no clue about the Halloween prohibition. Thanks for sharing this.

    Thrifting Diva
    www.thriftingdiva.com

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  31. Thanks for wanting to be involved in #TheList and we appreciate your links, but please can you make sure the posts are lists, as this one doesn't qualify. Thanks so much.

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  32. Looks like they're all having a great time! Love the costumes! Thanks for coming by and linking up at the #HomeMatters linky party! We hope to see you again this coming Wednesday!

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  33. Those costumes are adorable! The flintstones...I die! looks like they are all having a great time!

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  34. How fun and so creative! The Flinstones attire is great!

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  35. How fun! The costumes are the best!

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  36. How cool!!! Exciting to learn this!!!!

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  37. I really enjoyed learning about your tradition of spending time at the cemetery. The costumes are so cute and very creative! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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