For some parents, picking a costume theme for Halloween—or even getting the whole family on board—can be an arduous task. But luckily for me, the last four years as a mom during the Halloween season have been breezy, at least when it comes to finalizing family Halloween costumes. It also helps that my son has had a Toy Story obsession since before he could walk. So year after year, we’ve dressed in Toy Story character costumes inspired by the Disney classic on Halloween—until now. This is the year I’m retiring our family Halloween costume, and I have mixed emotions about it.
If you haven’t heard, Netflix has brought the *it* costume of the year with the debut of its hit movie, KPop Demon Hunters. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a fan (my favorite song is Takedown). After playing both the movie and the soundtrack on repeat since June, my son so sweetly asked if he could dress up as the Saja Boys lead singer Jinu from the Netflix film for Halloween. And while I’m excited to be sporting my Rumi costume (the ultimate mom outfit that consists of pajama pants and a hoodie), it’s pretty bittersweet to say ‘goodbye’ to the treasured Toy Story theme that’s been our family Halloween tradition for the past several years.
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Why my family’s Halloween costumes have been special
Next to Christmas, Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. Before I became a mom, besides continuously adding to my list of future baby names, I also dreamt about the day that I would finally get to have matching family Halloween costumes. And to have the opportunity to be the same characters over and over again? It’s been a dream come true. However, now that my family is retiring our Toy Story gear, I’m looking back at how our costume repeats have me missing them already.
It’s been a cherished tradition
Making my own family traditions with my kids has been one of the best experiences as a mom. There’s something about them that makes them so special, like wearing matching Halloween pajamas or using the same tried-and-true outdoor Halloween decor. Traditions are something to look forward to. My son expects them. Every year, he gets so giddy to don his Buzz Lightyear costume. Adorably proud, he struts around the neighborhood as Buzz Lightyear with his parental posse trailing behind him as Woody and Jesse. Last year, we added my youngest as Mr. Potato Head, and it was the cutest. Up until now—without question—he’s decided for the whole family to be a Toy Story character on Halloween night, and I’m going to miss that.
I’ve gotten to see my son grow up in the same costume
But what’s really made it so bittersweet is looking back at our Halloween family photos and seeing how much he’s grown up while wearing the same costume (just the next size up) time and time again. The Buzz Lightyear getup graduated from a cotton sleeper to a high-quality outfit with Buzz Lightyear wings and a purple hood. In side-by-side photos, all I see is a growing little boy who isn’t going to be so little one day—cue the mom-tears.
Changing our family Halloween costumes means it’s a milestone
It also means it’s a milestone. While I knew our Toy Story family Halloween costume wasn’t going to be a forever thing, changing our theme this year means my son has other interests, and that’s wonderful, too. Right now, I’m holding on to the fact that he even wants to match with me and my husband for Halloween. I know one day he’ll be asking to be a solo character, and it won’t be so cool to go trick-or-treating at all, let alone with his parents.
Retiring our Toy Story costumes is bittersweet for my son, too
Deep down, I know my son, my husband, and I will always have this sweet connection with our love for Toy Story. Just the other day, after playing all morning in his KPop Demon Hunters costume, he told me that we could still pretend to be Buzz Lightyear and Jesse from time to time. Who knows, maybe after Toy Story 5 hits theaters, he’ll want to be Buzz again. Until then, I won’t get my hopes up. We may be retiring my favorite family Halloween costumes on October 31 this year, but what I do know is that I’ll never turn down an invitation to wear my Toy Story Jesse hat one more time.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
