Best not unnecessarily spook Halloween humbug

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2024 (659 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My husband of three years is the greatest guy, except around Halloween, which he hates for some reason he’s never been able to tell me. Every Halloween night so far, he’s spoiled it for both of us by scowling in front of the TV, and making nasty comments after the kids leave.

Last year, I’d had enough and started thinking. This year I’ve rented him a hotel room and I’m having my “witchy” girlfriends over in costume for my first Halloween party since I got married.

The plan with the babes? We’re all dressing up as witches, and we’re going to dance and take photos, and give out treats together at the door.

As for seeing my husband when my friends go home, I’m driving over to join him at the hotel.

He says he’s really looking forward to an evening of all the TV he loves, followed by sex with a crazy woman at the hotel — that’ll be me.

My ingenious plan has already curtailed our usual pre-Halloween spats, but that still doesn’t feel like enough for me. So, I was thinking of surprising my hubby wearing a very sexy Halloween costume, rather than just putting on my husband’s favourite negligée.

Do you think the risqué costume would help him get over his Halloween problem, or just make it worse?

— Loving Wife, River Heights

Dear Loving: You’ve come a long way toward getting past this Halloween-night problem with your husband, but nobody likes to be tricked.

This plan of yours could blow up badly. Why? Your Halloween-averse hubby will have gone to the hotel thinking what a sweetheart you are. If you show up later in costume — no matter how sexy — your husband may feel like he’s been tricked. And he’d be right!

So why not just enjoy your Halloween party with the girls to the max, then stash your costume and cruise over to the hotel for a fun night in sexy negligée.

This could become your annual Halloween plan — just as long as you don’t try to push your pro-trick-or-treating agenda too hard.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’ve got almost no money for a Halloween costume, like maybe $10-$15, but I desperately want to go to a certain party this year. I know some fun people who will all be dressed up there, including one special guy I’d like to get my hands on!

Please don’t suggest any sort of racy getup as I’m just too shy to pull it off. I can do cute but I can’t do sexy. Help me!

— Broke, But Dying to Go, North Kildonan

Dear Dying to Go: Consider being a moderately flirty ghost to let this guy you like know you’re fun and lively. You’ll need a white bed sheet from a dollar store or a thrift shop. Then you pop it over your head and figure out where to cut out the tall eye-holes and the wide, turned-up mouth.

Use black makeup around your eyes, joke-sized false eyelashes and bright red lipstick to make a big smile. Lastly, you’ll need a cute hat, possibly with a big feather or fake flower to top it off.

If you’re simply not able to build your own costume, new and second-hand costumes are discounted at most thrift stores in the week before Halloween.

The trick to success? Be open to possibly going out as many different characters, and you’ll be sure to find something cute.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

   Read full biography